My immersion in The Culinary Institute of America's (CIA) Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program from 2019 to 2021 was a transformative experience, culminating in a master's degree in Food Business. My studies were strategically focused on branding, sustainability, and CPG innovation, the very drivers of today's dynamic food landscape.

It was during this rigorous journey that I forged connections with visionary peers like Chef DeAndre Weaver, MPS. We recently collaborated on developing the branded identity and shot list for his new, incredibly delicious vegan BBQ sauce. Chef Weaver's core message, "there is room for everyone at the table," powerfully speaks to the sauce's versatility, appealing to a broad spectrum of palates from plant-based devotees to beef lovers. With a dedicated following already established in the D.C. area, Chef Weaver is now poised for a successful product launch!

"As a food and beverage photographer, there's nothing more exciting than diving deep into a brand's story, especially when it involves a product as revolutionary and delicious as a non-alcoholic beer crafted by a master brewer. We recently had the incredible opportunity to build a comprehensive visual library for just such a brand, focusing on showcasing not just the product, but the entire elevated experience. From clean, crisp shots of the beautifully designed cans and full cases, highlighting the premium packaging, to vibrant captures of its unique flavor profiles (think subtle citrus zest or malty warmth!), every image was designed to convey the exceptional taste. We then brought the lifestyle element to life, photographing people genuinely enjoying this 'so, so, so delicious' brew in fun, authentic settings, perfectly illustrating its versatility. Finally, we explored exquisite food pairings, demonstrating how this non-alcoholic option can beautifully complement a gourmet meal or a casual snack, proving that sophisticated sips don't always need alcohol."

October just got spooky-delicious! 👻 We channeled our inner witches this month to conjure up a terrifyingly tasty feast, all captured through the lens. Our shoot featured wickedly detailed marshmallow ghosts, a shimmering witches' spell table laden with captivating treats, and a few truly bizarre culinary creations like sugar "potions", sleek black candies, and a hauntingly good bowl of spaghetti topped with chocolate Nutella and candy eyeballs. To complete the coven, two stylish witches made a final, dramatic cheers over the bubbling cauldron with vibrant blood orange martinis, perfectly capturing the eerie, festive spirit of the season.

After shooting all of the prep shots in the studio kitchen, our creative focus shifted to the studio, where we created two distinct worlds: first, a clean, modern top-down view that highlighted the precise layers and golden crusts, ideal for a professional catalog. Then, we transported the pastries to a dreamy, angled set evoking a Parisian cafe, complete with warm, natural light to show off the flaky texture and tempting golden brown finish—the perfect mood for their hotel and café clients looking for that irresistible 'baked in-house' feeling.

The Newport Beach location provided a stunning backdrop, specifically a massive, ocean-view, solid maple table. I strategically placed lighting to not only highlight the dishes but also to capture the immersive ambiance—the interplay of natural light, the large candles, and the orchids casting beautiful shadows.

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 got to shoot new menu photos for The Gambling Cowboy Chophouse & Saloon, a true gem in Southern California’s wine country. The project began with a wonderful chance encounter at a local farm stand with the son of the woman-chef who's run the place for over 15 years. After seeing my photos of fresh produce and the dishes I'd made, he invited me to be their photographer, and I jumped at the chance. With a reputation for excellent food and a staff that feels like family, the restaurant is a genuine Temecula institution. For the shoot, we aimed for a cinematic and authentic look, having the staff themselves act as hand models to bring the dishes to life, which made every shot feel personal and full of the restaurant's unique spirit.

Before I shoot any product I study it in natural light to understand its features and the way it interacts with ambient light. Sure, the high-powered strobes in my studio render beautiful colors and take away shadows but every product has a story. This beautiful bottle that has hand-made silk screened artwork iwth a cylindrical shape and dark color to protect the olive oil deserved its own story!

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.

Maw and Paw is dedicated to quality, offering human-grade dog food, supplements, and delicious bone broth. We feel fortunate to be a part of their journey in bringing such exceptional products to dogs and owners everywhere.

Here are a few of our favorite images from this exciting project!

Verb is a delicious hydration drink mix that is full on flavor and void of sugar or food color. The models loved it. We shot a huge variety on a tight timely but the creativity went to the moon!

A bowl of chocolate ice cream topped with gummy worms and cookies, placed on a yellow table with scattered gummy worms around it, with a yellow spoon inserted into the ice cream. The bowl is filled with chocolate ice cream, and various colorful gummy worms are scattered both inside and around the bowl. The scene is set against a vibrant pink background with a white striped wall on the left side. The composition centers the bowl of ice cream, with the scattered gummy worms creating a playful and chaotic effect. The style is photorealistic, capturing the vivid colors and textures of the candies and ice cream. Other detail additions include the bright and cheerful atmosphere, with the gummy worms adding a fun and whimsical touch to the scene.