A photo studio is a great place to use light in a more controlled fashion, without the constraints of what you need to consider when on  location. These people needed portrait for job application, and in Europe and Asia, applying for a job of a significant sort requires you to include a photograph of yourself, and not just a selfie, either.  I had no idea that was the case.  Here in North America, some people might see that as an opportunity for unfairness in the hiring process, but in Europe, it adds significance to the process.  And they may have less lawyers.