Creative Food Photography

A beautifully produced hardcover that focuses on the artistic and storytelling side of food photography. Kimberly Espinel, an award-winning food photographer and creator of the popular #eatcaptureshare Instagram challenge, teaches you to move beyond technically correct images toward photos that tell a story and reflect a distinct personal style.

Why Consider This One

Once you have the basics of exposure and lighting down, the next challenge in food photography is finding your own voice. Espinel’s book is built around that exact transition. It covers mood boards, color theory, narrative composition, and how to use natural light not just for brightness but for emotion. The approach is less about technical settings and more about creative decisions: how to choose props that support a story, how to use negative space, and how to let seasonal ingredients guide your visual choices.

The book also draws on Espinel’s experience teaching thousands of students worldwide, so the advice is grounded in common struggles real learners face. Her writing style is warm and encouraging, making this an excellent second book after you have built basic competence with a more technical guide.

What to Expect

A 208-page hardcover filled with stunning example photography and thoughtful creative exercises. The tone is more artistic than technical. Espinel assumes you already know how to operate your camera in manual mode and focuses instead on the decisions that make images memorable. Ideal for readers who have taken some food photos they are proud of and want to develop a recognizable style.