Five Questions with Paris Photographer Joann Pai

    Photographer Joann Pai

    One of my dearest friends was also my creative partner on bringing to life The New Parisienne. Photographer Joann Pai and I have collaborated on numerous travel stories for the NYT, Condé Nast Traveler, and Eater but this was the first project where we had total control.

    She lends her keen eye for restaurants and hotels, travel and food features, and a handful of books: she photographed Apéritif: Cocktail Hour the French Way, the forthcoming book A Table, and is at work on our friend Frank Barron’s first book (coming 2022). As one of more than 40 Parisiennes featured in my book, I wanted to share her thoughts on the process and highlight her favorite women-run business in Paris (which happens to be one of mine, too!). Read on….

    Jackie Kai Ellis’s Apt La Fayette, photographed by Joann Pai


    Favorite aspect of working on The New Parisienne? 
    Definitely having this privilege to meet and listen to so many inspiring women, including you, meuf! My favorite shoots were also the ones where I was able to listen to the interviews as well.

    Most challenging part of the experience?
    Perhaps the language barrier! It’s always easier to direct subjects and put them at ease when you have a…

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  • French-Inspired Gift Guide 2020 (and more)

    2020: the year of panic buying, purging, donating, and realizing more than ever the importance of supporting independent creators, artisans, authors, and sustainably-minded entrepreneurs. It is in that spirit that I selected the items…

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