PHOTOGRAPHER . RECIPE DEVELOPER . NUTRITIONIST
I’m Marisa, photographer, food artist & storyteller
My interest in food developed at a very early age as I was raised on my family’s organic farm in WA state where we grew produce and raised animals for dairy and meat. My parents allowed me to play with my food and experiment with new flavors in the garden and kitchen. When I was 9 years old I remember spending the afternoon climbing our cherry tree and developed quite a craving for cherry pie. I ran to my mom and begged her to make us a pie. She was too busy that day but told me I could make it myself and handed me the recipe. The thought of following a recipe myself had never occurred to me up until that point and I was amazed with myself and so proud when I served my fresh pie at the end of the day. I would say this is the day I truly fell in love with cooking and since then I have been creating my own recipes. In high school, I began to realize what an immense privilege I had to truly know where my food came from and I knew I wanted to share this knowledge with others.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Culinary Arts from Bastyr University, and a Master of Science in Nutrition from the National University of Natural Medicine. While I love the science behind how food acts the way it does in our bodies, I am truly in love with the art of food. I discovered my passion for food photography early on in high school, and have been developing my skills ever since then.
People often ask me how I make my recipes taste so good and the answer is very simple. I start with the best ingredients I can afford and half of the work is already done for me. You simply can’t make excellent food out of low-quality ingredients.
When I am not in the kitchen or shooting my latest recipe, you might find me shopping at the farmers market, out for happy hour with my fiancé, working in my herb garden, or hunting down deals for my new favorite cookware and photography props. Notice a theme here? Practically everything I do revolves around food!
A SARATOGA SPRINGS BASED FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
THE STUDIO
I create all of my work in my home-based studio. Recipes are tested in my bright and modern kitchen with state of the art appliances and kitchen tools. I have a full library of tools to develop recipes tailored to your specific audience. If there is a recipe you would like me to develop and I do not yet have that tool, don’t worry – I will find a way to get it!
Photos are shot in my studio, just steps away from the kitchen to ensure the freshest-looking dishes. Before each photoshoot, props including backdrops, dishes, flatware, and linens are selected from my curated collection and designed to match your branding. Recipe reels are shot either in the studio or the kitchen, depending on the desired aesthetic. I am constantly adding to my prop collection and seek unique pieces that will stand out in photos and help tell the story of your brand. I love handmade pottery and mixing old pieces with new ones. If you are looking for something I do not yet have, I am happy to discuss how I can find it to give your photos the look you aspire to achieve.
Many of my backdrops are hand painted for a truly unique look, and others are photographs of natural materials such as marble printed onto vinyl to achieve a real life look. I do have several pieces of natural stone as well.
Currently all of my photos and videos are shot using natural light with my Canon 6d mark ii camera.
24+
Years I have spent in the kitchen
3+
The number of times I visit the grocery store and farmers market each week
2
Nutrition degrees
3+
The number of times I test each recipe to make sure it is perfect
9+
Years I have been
photographing food
200+
The number of children I have cared for and fed
GET TO KNOW ME
Just a few of the things that are prominently featured in my life
MY FAVORITE THINGS TO EAT:
Salmon, crab, strawberries, Caesar salad, and castelvetrano olives are some of my favorites. I won’t go near goat cheese, no matter how you try to serve it to me.
IF I WASN´T A PHOTOGRAPHER..
I’d probably be a fashion designer, interior designer, or maybe a florist. I grew up in a family of artists and have always loved creating tangible beauty.
I'M MOST LIKELY WATCHING..
Gilmore girls while editing photos. If not that, then I am listening to Taylor Swift or Be There in Five Podcast.
IF I'M NOT IN THE KITCHEN..
I’m probably in the garden or hunting for my next favorite thrifted find. Most likely a piece of home decor or my next favorite photography prop.
PHOTOGRAPHER . COACH . ART LOVER
Ready for more pretty?
LET´S CHAT