PROJECTS
AL ROKER’S RECIPES TO LIVE BY
Project Type: Commissioned Publishing Project
Author: Al Roker
Publisher: Clarkson Potter / Penguin Random House
Industry: Publishing & Food Media
Services: Cookbook photography, visual consistency, production management
Deliverables: Full-length cookbook photography and supporting assets
Applications: Print publication, marketing, promotional media
THE BRIEF
I shot the full cookbook for Al Roker's Recipes to Live By, published by Clarkson Potter. The project covered everything from finished dishes to process shots and lifestyle content for both the book and promotional materials.
The goal was straightforward: create a complete visual library that was consistent across hundreds of recipes, looked great in print, and stayed on schedule with the publisher's timeline.
THE PLAN
With a project this size, organization was key. I worked closely with the editorial and culinary teams during pre-production to map out the shot list, schedule recipes efficiently, and plan each shoot day so we could move through the volume without sacrificing quality.
I developed a clean, approachable lighting and styling approach that would work across every recipe type. The focus was on making the food look delicious and clear, with good color accuracy and texture so readers could actually see what they were making.
We shot over multiple days, keeping the pacing tight but flexible enough to adjust for styling tweaks or recipe changes. In post, I made sure everything felt visually connected while hitting the technical specs the publisher needed for print.
THE RESULTS
The final package included all the photography for the printed cookbook, plus assets for marketing and promotion. The imagery supported the book's approachable, family-friendly tone and gave readers clear visual guidance for every recipe.
It's a good example of managing a large-scale editorial project where you need creative consistency, strong production logistics, and the ability to deliver on time without compromising the work.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Client AL ROKER | Agency LEGACY LIT/HACHETTE BOOK GROUP | Food Styling COURTNEY ROKER-LAGA | Prop Styling DEB RUGGIERI
Do you need an experienced cookbook photographer who can tackle the logistics plus deliver beautiful images that’ll keep the pages flipping? I have over a decade of experience photographing cookbooks and love the challenge of creating them. Let’s chat!