Martha Stoumen Cover Story & Travel Guide
I photographed the cover story of Vivant, a lifestyle magazine from Oenopole in Montréal that highlights natural winemaking around the world. The feature centered on Martha Stoumen, a trailblazing winemaker in Northern California, whose work reflects resilience and innovation in the face of climate change.
On assignment in Sonoma County, I approached the shoot with both a documentary eye and editorial intent — looking for unscripted gestures, textures of place, and sequences that would translate seamlessly to print. The final series not only captured Martha’s story but also provided Vivant with imagery that could anchor a cover feature, a travel guide, and supporting editorial spreads that brought readers directly into the landscape of California’s natural wine movement.
Services
Photography
Year
2023
Client
Vivant Magazine
“Working with Melissa was a pleasure from start to finish. Her editorial sensibility and calm presence put everyone at ease, and she captured images that go beyond portraiture. They tell the story behind the story. The results elevated the cover shoot into a visual narrative that felt deeply authentic.”
— Emilie Villeneuve, Chief Editor of Vivant Magazine
