When the sight of a Philly Cheesesteak, with its delicately sliced beef and melted cheese, can be witnessed in a tropical hideout like Colombo, Sri Lanka, it’s clear that the City of Brotherly Love has left its mark on the global culinary landscape. Homages may be found around the world, but the most authentic forms of Philly’s foodie goodness, from the cheesesteak and hoagie to the pretzel and pork roll, can only be enjoyed on the East Coast of America. Whatever the case, whether it’s the real deal or a well-intentioned imitation, food photographers in Philadelphia have helped promote this rich tapestry of grandeur for the taste buds. And if you’re on the market for one of these individuals, we found seven of the best in town, with plenty more available in our directory.
At Wonderful Machine, food photography covers food as a product or an experience, showing it being grown, prepared, served, and consumed. The photographers on our list examine these different stages through their distinct visual styles, giving you plenty of options to consider for your next photo campaign.
Christina Peters is a food photographer in Philadelphia who first picked up the camera at eight years old, and she couldn’t drop it after that. She attended the Art Center College of Design in California and graduated with a photography degree in 1993. Since then, she has been flying around America with her camera, working with numerous brands, agencies, and publications on campaigns of various sizes.
Over the years, I’ve shot thousands of food images. If time allows, I do my own production. I’ve coordinated and prepped thousands of jobs from a one-day shoot with a few shots a day, to jobs that were three weeks long, with two sets going, a shot list of 175 images, and a crew of 15 people.
The scope and scale of a project are no issue to her, and Christina’s client list would prove it. She has worked with Arby’s, Baja Fresh, Bristol Farms Markets, Brookside Chocolates, Bumble Bee Tuna, Burger King, Campbell’s Soups, Delaware Today Magazine, Domino’s Pizza, HarperCollins Publishers, Kraft, Marriott Hotels, McDonald’s, Nestle, Taco Bell, Whole Foods Markets, Weight Watchers, and many others.
They’re food photographers in Philadelphia with a knack for the closeup, revealing a layer of salsa glazing a pile of tacos, a smattering of sugar resting gently on a starfish cookie, or overlapping layers of ham and cheese sitting cozily between two slices of bread. Todd Linn and Mike Brennan love their food, whether it’s sweet, savory, or something in between. Their portfolio is an exploration of detail, with each photo celebrating the color, texture, and arrangement of food down to the minutiae.
Together, they operate North Park, a studio with over 3,500 square feet, two fully-equipped kitchens, and a prop room furnishing infinite possibilities. In addition, a stellar team of assistants, stylists, and consultants is not too far away, ensuring they deliver the best possible results for their clients.
Some include Hershey’s, Market District, Wholesome Pantry, J & J Snack Foods, Ideal Balance, Dietz & Watson, Campbell’s, and many others.
After graduating with a BFA in Fine Art Photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Jillian Guyette moved to the Big Apple for work. Now, with years of experience behind her, she resides in Philly, blending her love for storytelling and medium format film through her commercial and editorial assignments. Her portfolio exudes a serene quality, showing food being prepared, presented, and consumed in idyllic environments, whether seen via the plating, table arrangements, or people in the frame. It’s a state of bliss, visualized.
Jillian’s clients include Condé Nast Traveler, The Wall Street Journal, Agate Publishing, Town & Country, Bank of New York, Leica, Starwood Hotels, Almond Breeze, Four Seasons, Norton Lifelock, Women’s Health, Bon Appétit, House Beautiful, Louis Jadot, Scotch Brite, Rodale Institute, Ann Taylor, Morton Salt, and Interior Define.
Jason Varney is a critically acclaimed food photographer in Philadelphia, with his work being recognized by American Photography, Communication Arts, The Photo Review, and Photo District News. His portfolio in the food space explores all paths, from the dish on the table to the people in the kitchen. Jason’s compositions are replete with striking colors and captivating arrangements, usually shot from above. Sometimes, the image is visually arresting, like a broken slab of chocolate made to resemble shards of glass. At others, the image contains hidden subtext, like a spread of meats and veggies signaling the start of the holiday season as hands flutter above each dish. Clients can expect truly breathtaking photos from his end at all times.
Jason’s clients include Patina Restaurant Group, Food Network, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Campbell Soup Co., Hershey, Whole Foods Market, and many others.
While he does work in the commercial space, it must be noted that Neal Santos has exceptionally strong editorial sensibilities. Combining a moody ensemble of colors, highlights, and shadows, he looks beyond the plated dish to find a story involving people or a location. From restaurant owners proudly standing outside their establishments to farmers surveying acres of fertile land, Neal’s photos allow narratives to take full flight.
Neal’s clients include American Express, Dietz & Watson, Eating Well, Food & Wine, Food Network, Zagat, Kimpton Hotels, New York Times, Philadelphia Magazine, Pepsi Cola, Saveur, Stella Artois / Anheuser Busch, Sweetgreen, TASTE, Travel + Leisure, VisitPhilly, and W Hotels.
Teaming up with his partner, Andrea, Paul S. Bartholomew forms one half of Bartholomew Studio, a photographer and stylist duo entering our list of food photographers in Philadelphia. The husband and wife both bring fine art backgrounds and a love for food to each photoshoot, resulting in imaginative compositions across the board. The team has also exhibited creativity and technical skill via motion projects, infusing a sense of fun and excitement through very colorful ideas.
Their clients include Lewis Pogue Artisan Chocolate, Lacas Coffee, Philadelphia Macaroni Company, Travel + Leisure, Philadelphia Magazine, The New York Times, Town & Country UK, Williams Sonoma, Wine Spectator, and many others.
Michael Miville is a food photographer in Philadelphia whose career began in graphic design and commercial marketing. Today, all that experience fuels his photographic work for numerous formats and purposes: print, digital, editorial, and commercial. With decades behind the camera, he has developed a signature aesthetic that’s well and truly easy on the eyes.
Michael’s food photography relies on clean, simple, and straightforward setups, eliminating clutter and distraction in the frame so that the food holds everyone’s attention. On the viewer’s part, there’s no second-guessing as to what the eye should be drawn to. His portfolio also includes a section for playful compositions, relying on patterns and abstract arrangements to connect food to its environment. This may be done meaningfully or, sometimes, just plain humorously.
If their portfolios have worked up your appetite, it’s time to contact these food photographers and cook up your next commercial or editorial assignment!
Further Reading
See more food photographers in Philadelphia on our Find Photographers page.
Learn more about other types of photography on our Specialties page.