Hi, My name is Pierre-Jean, but everyone calls me PJ! I'm a French photographer based in Japan, and I've been working professionally since 2000. After living in London, Barcelona, and Paris, I decided to relocate to Japan with my family. We're currently based nearby Kyoto in Otsu, Shiga, which is where my wife’s family is from, though I’m happy to travel for projects. I recently discovered my passion for food photography, and it’s a genre I love so much that I’ve decided to dedicate my work entirely to it. While my influences are deeply rooted in Western styles, this can offer a unique advantage if you're seeking something a bit different. Looking forward to collaborating! こんにちは、 ピエール＝ジャンと申しますが、皆さんからは「PJ」と呼ばれています！ フランス出身のフォトグラファーで、2000年からプロとして活動しています。 ロンドン、バルセロナ、パリでの生活を経て、家族とともに日本へ移住しました。現在は妻の出身地である滋賀県大津市を拠点としていますが、プロジェクトに応じて全国どこへでも伺います。 最近、新たにフードフォトグラフィーに強い情熱を見いだしました。この分野がとても好きで、今ではすべての仕事をそこに捧げています。私の表現は西洋のスタイルに深く影響を受けていますが、それが「少し違う雰囲気」をお求めの方にとってユニークな魅力になると考えています。 ぜひ一緒にお仕事できることを楽しみにしています！
Kyoto, a city where tradition and artistry intertwine, provides food photographers with an endless source of inspiration. The city’s serene tea houses, bustling markets, and elegant kaiseki restaurants offer opportunities to capture dishes in ways that reflect both aesthetic beauty and cultural depth. Photographers often focus on the delicate colors, textures, and meticulous presentation of Kyoto’s cuisine—from intricately arranged sushi and tempura to seasonal vegetables and wagashi sweets—transforming each dish into a visual meditation.
Strolling through Kyoto’s streets and markets allows photographers to embrace natural light and the city’s unique ambiance. Sunlight filtering through wooden lattice windows, lantern-lit alleyways, or a quiet riverside café can turn even a simple meal into an evocative composition. Seasonal ingredients, like fresh bamboo shoots in spring or chestnuts in autumn, add an extra layer of narrative, connecting the food to the rhythms of the city.
In controlled studio settings, Kyoto’s food photographers emphasize precision and storytelling. Every detail—from the sheen on a slice of fish to the delicate layering of a dessert—is carefully arranged, while subtle props like ceramic plates, bamboo mats, or hand-crafted chopsticks enrich the scene without overwhelming it. This approach captures the harmony and balance that are central to Japanese cuisine.
Storytelling is at the heart of food photography in Kyoto. Beyond capturing the dish itself, photographers often document the rituals and experiences surrounding the meal: a tea ceremony, a chef plating a seasonal course, or friends sharing a bento under cherry blossoms. These moments infuse the images with authenticity and cultural context, allowing viewers to feel connected to both the food and the place.
By blending technical skill, creativity, and a deep respect for tradition, food photographers in Kyoto create images that are both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Each photograph not only celebrates the flavors and artistry of the dish but also reflects the city’s serene beauty, cultural richness, and timeless attention to detail, leaving viewers with a lasting impression of taste, elegance, and atmosphere.