Contact Login English

Best Food & Restaurant Photographers in Chicago

Best Food Photographers in Los Angeles

In the lively food scene of Chicago, talented restaurant and food photographers skillfully capture appetizing images that offer numerous benefits to local establishments. Through their captivating visuals, these photographers enhance appetite appeal, elevate brand perception, and drive restaurant sales.

By showcasing the culinary delights in the most enticing way possible, they play a crucial role in the success and growth of dining establishments, allowing them to shine in the competitive industry.

Best Food Photographers in Chicago

Neal Corman

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN

Neal is an owner and photographer in NSeePhotographics. With a primary focus on food, drink, and the vibrant restaurant community, he operates out of Chicago. Armed with a graduate degree in digital photography, he has dedicated over a decade to his craft with unwavering passion. Adding to his expertise, he brings a unique perspective as a professional chef, cookbook author, and creator of diverse restaurant concepts.

Nathaniel Crawford

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
Motion Graphics
Video
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN

Nathaniel is an award-winning food photographer/videographer, known for his captivating stills and videos that evoke joy, nostalgia, and hunger. With a deep passion for creative content and a background in digital marketing, Nathaniel creates engaging visuals that showcase the intersection of food, community, and hospitality. Based in Chicago, IL, he teaches cooking classes and collaborates on food-related projects from his home studio.

Jason Little

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
Motion Graphics
Video
Marketing
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN

Jason is a food and beverage photographer based in Chicago. He thrives on surpassing the limitations of conventional commercial images. Through collaborative ideation, his studio offers innovative technical and creative solutions to showcase your products in the best possible light.

Stephen Hamilton Productions

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN

Steve, the owner, photographer, and director at Stephen Hamilton Productions, is a multitasking professional. While he enjoys managing large crews and orchestrating complex projects, his true passion lies in the serene, creative days spent shooting samples in the studio. Steve cherishes the power of simple, meticulously prepared meals that forge lasting memories with loved ones.

Jason Robert Scott Photography

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
Motion Graphic
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN

Jason is a food photographer who finds joy in crafting exquisite images of food, understanding the significance of visual appeal in our dining experience. He believes that outstanding food photography goes beyond visual inspiration, engaging our senses of touch and taste.

Kevin Scott Photography

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN

Kevin is an experienced food photographer with over 20 years in the industry. Based in the suburbs of Chicago, he recently established his own studio after working as the lead photographer at Sierra Studio. Kevin collaborates with renowned clients like Kraft Foods, Nestle, Conagra Foods, Barilla Pasta, and Fontanini Meats, leveraging his expertise to capture stunning food imagery.

Theresa Scarbrough

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN
Visit profile

Theresa is a talented editorial and commercial photographer based in Chicago. She specializes in food photography with food styling and she is passionate about expanding her culinary repertoire, constantly exploring new dishes and honing her baking skills.

Neil John Burger Photography

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN

Neil is a director and photographer specializing in culinary arts, capturing captivating stills and motion visuals. With a focus on tabletop food and beverage photography, he serves national brands, restaurants, and recipe development. Operating from his studio in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, Neil collaborates with a team of producers, assistants, food stylists, and prop stylists.

Klehr Photo

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN

With over 30 years of experience, Alan has excelled in photography for national magazines and renowned corporations. His expertise encompasses executive portraiture, food, architecture, interiors, events, products, industrial projects, and travel.

Galdones Photography

Food Photographer
USA, Chicago
SERVICES
Photography
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN

Huge, a Montreal-born food photographer based in Chicago, is renowned for his creative genius and strong connections within the culinary world. With a wealth of experience in capturing mouthwatering dishes, Huge's work has garnered praise from esteemed clients such as FOOD & WINE, Bon Appétit, The James Beard Foundation, and The Food Group. He has also contributed to notable cookbooks by renowned chefs, showcasing his skill in presenting food in its most tantalizing form.

What is a Food Photographer?

A Food Photographer is an experienced professional who captures visually appetizing and enticing images of food and beverages. With expertise in photography, composition, lighting, and styling, they create mouthwatering visuals that showcase culinary creations in the most appealing way possible. 

Working closely with chefs, restaurants, and food stylists, a food photographer captures dishes’ essence, flavors, and textures, enticing viewers to partake in the culinary experience. Their photographs are utilized in menus, cookbooks, advertising campaigns, social media, and websites, effectively promoting and showcasing food compellingly.

Food Photographers Pricing in Chicago

Food photographers’ pricing in Chicago can vary depending on the photographer’s experience, reputation, project requirements, and usage rights. The general guidelines are as follows:

  • Hourly Rate: Usually ranges from $100 to $300 per hour.
  • Half-Day or Full-Day Rate: This can range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.
  • Day Rate with Assistant:  On average, the day rate for a food photographer with an assistant in Chicago can range from $800 to $2,500.
  • Licensing and Usage Fees: Additional charges based on the usage rights of the images will be determined and negotiated separately to accommodate your specific needs.
  • Additional Costs: Take into account potential additional costs for services such as food styling, props, location rental, and post-processing enhancements to ensure a comprehensive budget for your food photography project.

Discussing your project’s specific details with the photographer is essential to get an accurate pricing estimate based on your needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To secure the availability of a food photographer for your restaurant in Chicago, it’s best to book well in advance. Begin the process approximately 2 to 3 weeks before your desired photo shoot date. Keep in mind that the availability of photographers can vary due to their schedules and demand.

To ensure sufficient time for project discussions, portfolio review, and finalizing details, reaching out even earlier, around 4 to 6 weeks in advance, is beneficial. Booking in advance increases the chances of securing your preferred photographer and allows ample time for thorough planning and preparation for the photo shoot.
To secure the availability of a food photographer for your restaurant in Chicago, it’s best to book well in advance. Begin the process approximately 2 to 3 weeks before your desired photo shoot date. Keep in mind that the availability of photographers can vary due to their schedules and demand.

To ensure sufficient time for project discussions, portfolio review, and finalizing details, reaching out even earlier, around 4 to 6 weeks in advance, is beneficial. Booking in advance increases the chances of securing your preferred photographer and allows ample time for thorough planning and preparation for the photo shoot.
The time needed to complete a food photography project for a restaurant in Chicago depends on various factors like project complexity, number of dishes/items to be photographed, shoot location, restaurant and staff availability, and post-processing requirements.

On average, a food photography project for a restaurant can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. This timeframe includes pre-production tasks, the actual photo shoot, and post-processing work to ensure high-quality images.

Discussing your project details with the food photographer is crucial to get a more precise estimate. This allows them to consider your specific requirements and their availability, providing you with a more accurate timeline.

The top food and restaurant photographers stand out by possessing essential qualities:

  • Technical expertise: They excel in photography techniques, lighting, composition, and food styling, resulting in visually stunning images.
  • Specialization: They focus on food and restaurant photography, understanding the unique challenges, and ensuring appealing food presentations.
  • Attention to detail: Meticulous in arranging food, props, and backgrounds, they create balanced compositions that capture the essence of the cuisine.
  • Creativity and vision: They bring an artistic flair to showcase food uniquely and captivatingly, forging a connection with viewers.
  • Industry knowledge: They grasp culinary trends, plating techniques, and the aesthetic of different cuisines, reflecting the restaurant’s personality.
  • Collaboration: They excel at working with clients, actively listening to their vision while offering valuable input and maintaining brand alignment.
  • Consistency and reliability: Known for delivering high-quality work on time, they build a reputation for professionalism and dependability.

When seeking the best food and restaurant photographers, prioritize these qualities to find a professional who can elevate your brand’s visual presence and capture the essence of your cuisine.