PROJECTS
Project Type: Commissioned Publishing Project
Featured Book: The Secret Life of Chocolate Chip Cookies
Industry: Publishing & Food Media
Services: Cookbook photography, food styling collaboration, visual production
Deliverables: Full-length cookbook photography
Applications: Print publication, marketing, promotional media
The Secret Life of Chocolate Chip cookies
THE BRIEF
I shot the full cookbook for The Secret Life of Chocolate Chip Cookies, a book dedicated entirely to exploring the craft and creativity behind chocolate chip cookies. The project included all the recipe photography and supporting imagery for print and promotional materials.
The goal was to make the photography feel warm and inviting while staying precise and consistent across all the recipes. The images needed to help readers feel confident they could recreate these cookies at home.
THE PLAN
I worked closely with the author, Marissa Rothkopf Bates, who did all the food prep and assisted with styling throughout the shoot. We planned out the shot list together during pre-production and organized the shoot days around recipe flow and lighting continuity.
The lighting and composition were designed to show off texture, bake quality, and ingredient detail without being overly styled. I focused on capturing cookie structure and crumb, how the chocolate distributed and melted, surface texture, and color balance. Each shot needed to work both as an instructional reference and as an inviting photo that made you want to bake.
In post, I kept the color accurate and the tone consistent across the entire book to meet the publisher's print standards.
THE RESULTS
The final package included all the photography for the printed cookbook and marketing materials. The images gave readers clear visual guidance while supporting the book's tone of curiosity, craftsmanship, and accessibility.
It's a good example of managing a long-form cookbook project where you're collaborating closely with the author, maintaining creative consistency across dozens of recipes, and delivering on time.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Client MARISSA ROTHKOPF BATES | Agency PAGE STREET PUBLISHING | Food Styling MARISSA ROTHKOPF BATES
Do you need a cookbook photographer who can handle the details while bringing creativity (and plenty of flavor) to every page? With over a decade of experience photographing recipes, I know how to balance logistics with artistry to create images that draw readers in and keep them inspired.
From logistics to final images, I’ll help your cookbook shine.