I recently had the opportunity to photograph Shivali Sharma, a Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy owner, for an editorial feature. The assignment brought her into my Edmonton photography studio, where the goal was to create a portrait that felt approachable and contemporary.

Shoppers Drug Mart is one of Canada’s most recognizable retail pharmacy brands, and photographing a local pharmacy owner like Shivali required an image that reflected both leadership and personality. Editorial portrait photography is about more than simply creating a professional headshot. The photograph needs to help tell a story about the person behind the business.

For Shivali’s portrait session, I chose a light blue background. The colour provided a clean, modern look while complementing the familiar visual identity associated with pharmacy and healthcare. It also gave the portrait a softer, more approachable feel than a traditional white, grey, or dark studio background.

Working in my Edmonton photography studio gave me complete control over the lighting and overall look of the final images. I was able to keep the portrait clean and consistent, focusing entirely on Shivali’s expression and personality.

One of the things I enjoy most about editorial photography is meeting and photographing the people behind Edmonton’s businesses and organizations. Photographing Shivali Sharma was a great example of how thoughtful lighting, background colour and a relaxed studio environment can come together to create a strong editorial portrait. It’s the kind of work I continue to enjoy.