I didn’t become a food and hospitality photographer because I thought it was a smart career move. I became one because I was already in the room, camera in hand, trying to make something ordinary look extraordinary.

I’m Jonathan Boncek. I’ve been a working photographer in Charleston, South Carolina for over fifteen years. I went to the University of Georgia on a photography degree, spent several years shooting the World Series of Poker for PokerNews and ESPN, as their lead photographer, and eventually found my way back to the South, where the food is better anyway.

For years I was the staff photographer at the Charleston City Paper, covering everything from restaurant openings to community events. That editorial background shaped the way I work: fast, adaptive, observant. I don’t need three hours of setup to get a great shot. I read the light, I read the room, and I move.

I’ve spent years shooting for The Local Palate, one of the Southeast’s most respected food and culture publications. That relationship sharpened my eye for the kind of imagery that tells a story, not just a picture of a plate, but a picture that makes you feel like you were there.

Today I shoot for restaurants, hotels, lifestyle brands, and consumer brands that want photography they can actually use across campaigns, press materials, social media, and print. Clients like Le Creuset, Explore Charleston, Cheerwine, and Home Team BBQ have trusted me with their visual identity, and I don’t take that lightly.

I’m based in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and I work throughout the Southeast and beyond. If you’re looking for a photographer who shows up prepared, delivers on time, and makes your brand look like it means business , let’s connect.

• Boncekimages@me.com
• 404.944.1874

2014 James Beard Finalist: Visual Storytelling

2018 Finalist for ASME Most Delicious Magazine Cover