Where to Start with Joanie Simon
Joanie Simon is a commercial food photographer and the creator of The Bite Shot, one of the most popular food photography education platforms online. Her teaching style emphasizes hands-on practice over theory, breaking complex photography concepts into small, actionable steps that produce visible results quickly. She has collaborated with major photography brands including Canon, Datacolor, and B&H, and her work has been featured by Fstoppers, PetaPixel, and Food Blogger Pro.
Start here
Picture Perfect Food
Joanie Simon · 152 pages · 2021 · Easy
Themes: food photography, lighting, composition, styling, storytelling
Simon’s signature book condenses her popular online teaching into 52 practical challenges covering camera settings, light and shadow, story, props and styling, composition, and food styling. Each tutorial focuses on a single concept, giving you something concrete to practice rather than a wall of theory to absorb. The book includes behind-the-scenes setup shots that show exactly how professional-looking results are achieved with simple tools and natural light.
Why Start Here
This is Simon’s teaching philosophy in book form: learn by doing, one small step at a time. The 52-challenge structure means you can work through the book at your own pace, building skills progressively or jumping to whichever topic you need most. Her clear, jargon-free writing makes even technical concepts like white balance and depth of field feel approachable.
What to Expect
A 152-page paperback packed with practical exercises. The tone matches Simon’s online presence: friendly, encouraging, and focused on getting you to pick up your camera. No expensive gear required. The challenges work with any camera, including smartphones.