This fun test shoot was inspired by California-style pizza, a genre known for its thin, crisp crust and inventive toppings. From BBQ chicken and spicy pepperoni to colorful vegetarian combinations, California pizza is all about creativity and breaking tradition. Our inspiration came from a deeper dive into foods born in California—and, admittedly, from the very practical excuse of bringing home a new outdoor pizza oven and putting it to work.

Test shoots like this also give my team a chance to jump in as models for both video and stills, experiment with new lighting ideas, and build fresh party-style scenes straight from our prop room. It’s creative play with purpose—and delicious results. 🍕

3 reels from 3 recipes were made using the new Tajin and Fresh Gourmet Masa Strips, Croutons, and Pepitas. It was a super delicious and spicy creation.

I recently photographed a fall campaign for a client’s pumpkin and apple butter, highlighting their packaging and the rich flavor cues that define the brand. Alongside clean product imagery, we crafted a lifestyle story with models savoring the spreads on toast, capturing how naturally they fit into everyday moments. To bring extra energy and depth, we layered in video—playing with hard light and close-up motion to showcase the luscious, spiced butter in action.

Here is how to make Shakshuka, a North African Tunisian dish with spicy broth, stewed fresh vegetables, and poached eggs.

This summer in Southern California’s wine country has been full of delicious surprises, especially the local farm stands neighbors keep posting about on Nextdoor. I visited a few and came home with a vibrant haul: summer squash, micro-basil, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, and juicy fruit. The best part? Stepping into the kitchen with this mystery basket and letting color, flavor, and creativity lead the way. These two dishes stole the show with my guests, so I thought you would love them, too. Enjoy!

We had an absolute blast partnering with Lindsay Olives to whip up some incredible new recipes, videos, and GIFs! Our top pick has to be this show-stopping chimichurri sauce, made with their delicious olives, quality EVOO, fresh herbs, and perfect seasonings. Trust us, it's the secret ingredient that'll make your grilled chicken truly unforgettable!

Introducing: The Director’s Reel... for Reels!

Take a quick spin through our greatest hits—a fast, fun compilation of our most mouth-watering recipe reels. From sizzling skillets to fizzy pours, this reel highlights how we turn CPG, food, and beverage products into scroll-stopping content.

Reels and vertical videos are perfect for Instagram, TikTok, email marketing, and more. Ready to bring your product to life with crave-worthy recipe content? Let’s get cooking—reach out today!

We created a variety of product and lifestyle images plus video for Point Source Audio when they launched a new product.

Here is a food photography and video shoot with food in a lifestyle setting

Cold brew coffee is the most popular java drink in many locations and now that the weather is warming up we wanted to make one. Here is a test shoot that produced a reel, video, and photos in our new kitchen studio with our sassy studio model, Katelyn.

Here’s a recent test shoot featuring our studio model, Katelyn, preparing a vibrant Salade Niçoise. This classic French salad is a personal favorite of mine—I love the bold, fresh flavors that come together in one bowl: grilled tuna, chilled boiled eggs, tender green beans, baby potatoes, and briny olives.

Judy Doherty Photography is proud to feature a roster of local experienced models and actors for lifestyle shoots. Check out a few recent projects.