MOCHI Studio takes its name from a simple combination: Mo — my first name — and Chi — for Chicago.

It also carries a personal touch. A mochi is a small Japanese rice cake my daughter introduced me to — soft, crafted, and surprisingly expressive in its simplicity. The spirit of a mochi resonates with the way I approach photography: crafted, precise, and intentional. Small details matter, and consistency is built through care and repetition.

My work is shaped by an international path spanning Paris, Tunis, and now the U.S., and by years of collaboration with brands of all sizes. I began my career in Paris with PackshotCreator, where I developed a strong technical foundation in product photography, before building and running my own studio and leading projects ranging from luxury goods to large-scale industrial campaigns.

I approach photography as both a craft and a system. Beyond making images look good, I focus on how they function — how light, composition, and visual language work together to communicate clearly and consistently. Precision and creativity are not opposites in my process; they reinforce each other.

Over the years, I’ve worked alongside talented art directors, designers, and agencies across continents, and led more than 200 training sessions centered on professional photography techniques. Each collaboration continues to inspire me, reminding me that great images are born from shared vision and trust. I’ve worked in very diverse conditions, from photographing diamonds in Parisian undergrounds, luxury hotel hammams in the Tunis medina, to chasing shadows in Costa Rican rainforests. 

Alongside my studio practice, I teach product and food photography through professional programs such as Chicago Photography Classes, extending the same practical, experience-driven approach into education.

Now based in Chicago, I collaborate with brands, teams, and institutions looking to build strong visual foundations — whether through imagery, creative direction, or the transmission of photographic know-how.

Mo Bench.