Oh, snap! Here’s a look through the lens of local photographers in the culinary world of Tucson
By Kasey Pooley
We’ve all been there — your classy cocktail and masterpiece meal come out and you cannot help but snap a picture for your story. Some tasty treats are way too good not to photograph and show off, which is why food and beverage photography has become a fast-growing practice. To learn more about the trade of gastronomy photography and capturing culinary culture, here is a Q&A with some local experts.
Javier Castillo
What inspired you to become a photographer?
When I was a kid growing up, I wanted to be a photographer. I have always enjoyed taking photos, shaping, and molding the photos to capture the vision and energy of my clients.
Why did you start shooting food and beverages?
I started shooting food because it’s more fun. You can just dial in and shoot food for hours. Food photos also translate to the viewer. It’s fun and it can really elevate a business.
In your own words, describe the purpose of culinary photography and why you love it.
The purpose of food photography is to engage the viewer. It’s to capture the personality of the chef, the atmosphere of the restaurant, and the energy of the brand.
Tucson is known for its authenticity and content culture, how do you portray this through your photography?
Every business is different. Every client is different. When my clients wish to embrace the city, I like to make sure the color palette is used and the awesome architecture is integrated into the shoot.
How do you capture the essence of a restaurant and its cuisine through still photos?
I like to make sure I integrate the defining characteristics into the photos.
What are some of the most important things to keep in mind while photographing food and beverages?
To not be afraid to talk to chefs while shooting. When I first started, I was so scared to ask for changes. As I continued to shoot, I realized I needed to do certain things to keep the food looking fresh, perky, and vibrant.
How does culinary photography serve as visual storytelling and marketing for a restaurant?
It’s the digital storefront. These photos should accentuate the brand and keep people walking into the restaurant with their phone in hand saying, “I want this.”
What advice do you have for other local artists trying to get into the gastronomy scene in Tucson?
Shoot as much food as you can for free. Offer your services to places to show off your talents. If you’re really committed and driven, your talents will take you to the next level.
What restaurant in Tucson has been your favorite to photograph?
All of my clients have great qualities and I love to create for each and every one!
Jackie Tran
What inspired you to become a photographer?
Funnily enough, it was never a goal. I just sort of fell into it. I was focused on food writing and learned photojournalism as part of my journalism degree. In that class, the minimum camera requirement was a not-so-great expensive point-and-shoot camera, so I decided to splurge a little more for a DSLR. I ended up enjoying it and it also helped land me more writing gigs, so I stuck with it.
Why did you start shooting food and beverages?
I've always been a food nerd, and it's easier to cook yourself a plate than find yourself a good model. With food being my focus in writing, I just ended up with more practice in food.
In your own words, describe the purpose of culinary photography and why you love it.
The purpose varies depending on the context. My usual style isn't meant for a corporate fast-food billboard. I want it to feel alive and communal, not like a still life. I want to channel the welcoming vibe of hospitality with fun, so people actually want to engage with my clients. But on the other side, sometimes clients need something more like a still life for something like a training manual or online ordering page. In these cases, you focus on the detail instead of the energy. They stimulate opposite sides of my brain, so the work never gets stale.
Tucson is known for its authenticity and content culture, how do you portray this through your food photography?
To keep things feeling authentic and approachable, no tweezer sesame seeds on a bun or elaborate key lighting for me. I think a messy burger in hand with natural-looking lighting is more genuinely appealing. While you don't want to have arbitrary hands in every image, photos with hands do tend to outperform on social media when it comes to engagement.
How do you capture the essence of a restaurant and its cuisine through still photos?
If you can recognize quality natural light, then definitely take advantage of it. And don't let the chefs plate it a certain way just for the camera if that's not how they serve it to customers. We're taking a journalistic approach rather than avant-garde here.
What are some of the most important things to keep in mind while photographing food and beverages?
You can't make up for bad lighting. But aside from that, I'd say perspective is underrated. While overhead works for most things, it's not the best for handheld foods such as burgers or ice cream cones. Determine if you want the food to feel like it's your hands or if you want it to feel like you're sitting at a communal table, then go from there.
How does culinary photography serve as visual storytelling and marketing for a restaurant?
It portrays both details and energy. Words only go so far. Food photos convey more information in a shorter amount of time, which is particularly important in advertising. Not only is more time expensive, but including short attention spans in your reach is crucial.
What advice do you have for other local artists trying to get into the gastronomy scene in Tucson?
Attend events and meet people! And don't be shy on social media. Tucson's warm food scene welcomes newcomers regularly and we have each other's backs.
What restaurant in Tucson has been your favorite to photograph?
I didn't even realize how many restaurants I've photographed until I was asked this question. Too many to think about. But I think I'll pick the Coronet, thanks to their down-to-earth fancy energy. No pretense, but warm vibes and attention to important details. And I love the people that work there.
Melissa Rosciano
What inspired you to become a photographer?
To be completely honest, I never sought to be a photographer. I’ve always enjoyed it as a medium, it but I never got serious about it until I found the art and beauty in food. I wanted to do that food justice, so to speak. I had to build my skills in photography to understand how to capture all the complexities of what I was about to eat or drink.
Why did you start shooting food and beverages?
I started shooting during a time when a lot of people rolled their eyes at food photography, especially when it was being shared via social media. However, I’ve always had a love for food, and at the time I was making my way through Europe. I was visiting these amazing countries with rich food cultures, and it felt like a mistake to not photograph and show my friends what I was experiencing. That’s when I decided to make a separate Instagram account to document my food travels, and things grew from there.
In your own words, describe the purpose of culinary photography and why you love it.
Culinary photography is amazing in how it can be used in so many ways. I use this form of art to support another art medium; food and drink. That’s my purpose and goal when using it. Culinary photography is a vehicle in which food and cultures can cross borders. I use it almost as a form of education. Food, in its essence, is life. It’s been the giver of strength and comfort, and the focal point for moments of gathering and fellowship in many of our lives. That’s just a beautiful thing to me and I always want to capture that as often as I can.
Tucson is known for its authenticity and content culture, how do you portray this through your photography?
My motto when doing anything is to stay authentic to myself and it will show in all that you put into the world. That’s a lot harder said than done! I don’t always get it right, but that’s okay. I’ve never been one to create super curated content. I’ve tried, but it’s not for me. Food photography can often be saturated with “pretty” food. However, I feel like some of my favorite food and drink are not cute to look at. The ugly side of anything needs to be shown if you hope to be authentic. I feel like that mindset comes across in my content — at least I hope it does!
How do you capture the essence of a restaurant and its cuisine through still photos?
Lately, I’ve been trying out new forms of lighting and editing in general. I felt like using the same, signature style of photography wasn’t properly communicating the experience of that meal. As of now, I’m focusing more on shaping my style around the vibe of the restaurant itself.
What are some of the most important things to keep in mind while photographing food and beverages?
What’s the best part of what I’m eating or drinking, and how can I communicate that in a photo.
How does culinary photography serve as visual storytelling and marketing for a restaurant?
There is so much that goes behind a restaurant concept and each individual meal that is being served. The story of a dish doesn’t start in a pan on the stove. Its story begins in the homes, relationships, and memories of the people who created that dish. It’s a gathering of all those experiences.
What advice do you have for other local artists trying to get into the gastronomy scene in Tucson?
Build relationships. Tucson’s gastronomy scene is unlike any other. There is a sense of community here, not competition. It’s not until you listen to and understand the history and culture of this city that you will be able to experience the beauty of the Tucson gastronomy scene.
What restaurant in Tucson has been your favorite to photograph?
I’ve been on a cocktail kick lately, so the Night Jar has been satisfying that deep desire to photograph classic cocktails in dim-lit rooms. It’s definitely a vibe.
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