For the first time since becoming a professional food photographer, my October wasn’t packed with projects. Instead of forcing myself to be productive, I decided to book a last-minute trip to Spain. 🇪🇸

I had no plan. No itinerary. Not even any hotels booked.

Even though part of me was anxious about stepping away from work, it turned out to be exactly what I needed: time to wander without purpose, to rest without guilt, and to remember that creativity needs space as much as it requires effort.

From the sculptural lines of Barcelona to the terracotta courtyards of Sevilla and the shadowed arches of Córdoba, I found myself inspired by the architecture, the colours, studying how light moves. How it softens around tile, deepens against stone, and brings colour and texture to life.

Creativity thrives on contrast: new places, new light, new rhythm. The trip became an unexpected reset that I didn’t know I needed.

We don’t talk enough about the business of rest. Slow seasons aren’t failures; they’re invitations. Stepping away isn’t lost time — it’s part of the process.

How do you approach those unexpected quiet times in your own creative work?


#travelgram #travelphotography #wanderlust #spain🇪🇸 #traveler

Did you know Canada has a desert? 🇨🇦🌵

When most people picture Canada, they think of hockey, maple syrup, and frozen winters. But here’s a fun twist: tucked away in the southern interior of British Columbia is the Okanagan Valley—Canada’s wine country—and yes, it’s actually a desert. 🌵

The Okanagan is all sunshine, lakes, rolling vineyards, and golden hills. Osoyoos, at the southern end of the valley, is officially the warmest spot in the country and part of the same desert system that stretches all the way up from Mexico. 🇲🇽

Summer temps can hit 35°C (95°F) or higher, which makes it perfect for growing grapes, peaches, cherries, and so much incredible wine. 🍷

I’ve been lucky to visit a few times over the past couple of summers, both for work and for play, and every trip has been inspiring. There’s something special about photographing in a place where food and wine are at the heart of daily life; family-run vineyards, sleek modern wineries, fruit stands bursting with stone fruit, and meals that celebrate what’s grown right there in the valley. 🍑🍒

Exploring the wines, food, and landscapes of this region has become one of my favourite themes in photography. The light, the flavours, the sense of place—it all comes together in a way that keeps me coming back.

It turns out, Canada isn’t just snow and hockey—it’s wine country too. 🍇.

#okanaganvalley #okanagan #britishcolumbia #winecountry #bcwine #farmtotable #lifestylephotography #travelgram #foodandwine

When it comes to photographing cocktails and other translucent drinks, light position is everything.

The law of the “angle of incidence” tells us that light bounces off a surface at the same angle it strikes it. When you place your light behind the subject at the same degree as your camera, that bounce travels right into the lens. The result is a luminous, inviting glow that makes the liquid come alive.

The first image is lit from behind. The second image is lit from the side. Huge difference, right? Side lighting is beautiful for many foods, creating depth and a painterly effect, but with cocktails, backlighting reveals their best qualities.

Light position directly affects:

Colour – richer, more vibrant tones

Clarity – crispness of ice and liquid

Shine – that irresistible gleam on the glass

Glow – the luminous quality that sells the drink

When planning your shoots, start with light placement. Ask: Where should the light be to highlight what’s most appealing about this subject? For cocktails, the answer is almost always from the back.

#drinkstagram #beverages #cocktailphotography #vancouverfoodphotographer

Mediterranean Bean Salad—your new summer lunch staple ☀️🍴

Wondering how I lit this image to get that sunny, natural glow with just two strobes?

👉 Head to the new post on the Gastrostoria blog where I break down the entire setup, featuring two of my favorite modifiers: barn doors and a reflector with a honeycomb grid.

You’ll learn how I balanced hard directional light with just enough softness in the shadows to create that fresh, midday summer feel—all with artificial light.

✨ Want that look for your own food photography?

Link to the blog post is in bio → go behind the scenes and get the full breakdown. ⬆️

PHOTOGRAPHERS—let’s talk about your PERSONAL WORK. 📸

It’s is much more than just a creative outlet—it’s a strategic tool.

When you’re consistently creating the kind of imagery that excites you, you sharpen your skills, deepen your style, and send a clear signal to the clients who are the best match for your vision. 👁️

Your personal work lays the foundation for the kind of work you want to get hired for, the clients you want to attract, and the way you pitch yourself in a crowded market.

In a world where budgets are shrinking and competition is high, your portfolio should act like a map—guiding the right clients to your door and showing them exactly why you are the one they’ve been looking for. 🤩

And this is where pitching becomes powerful. 💪

Pitching isn’t about blasting generic messages into the void. It’s about offering a solution to the right brand, with a portfolio that proves you understand their aesthetic, their audience, and their goals.

If you’ve ever wondered why your best-fit clients aren’t finding you—it’s probably because they don’t know you exist yet.

Or, what they see doesn’t yet reflect the kind of work they’re looking to hire.

Personal work bridges that gap. It lays the groundwork for confident outreach.

When your body of work is aligned with your pitch, you’re not just introducing yourself—you’re POSITIONING yourself.

In a saturated, budget-conscious market, alignment is EVERYTHING!

Don’t wait for the perfect client to show up—show them why you are the perfect fit.

#foodphotographer #photographybusinesstips #meringue #rhubarb #yvrphotographer #pitching #hardlight #foodstylingandphotography