CafFe Cocina’s holiday drinks are here, and I had the joy of styling and photographing this festive lineup. From the orange chocolate cortado to the peppermint pine iced latte, seasonal photography brings each drink to life and helps connect Eric Mahler’s creative vision to every touch point for his customers.

Beyond the plate and into the story: exploring how authentic imagery, from headshots to travel and brand photography, builds connection and credibility in today’s visual world.

If you’re putting in the time, energy, and creativity to craft seasonal offerings—whether a fall cocktail, a limited-time pastry, or a winter-inspired coffee drink—those efforts deserve to be seen. Seasonal photography isn’t just about pretty pictures; it’s about amplifying the story behind your menu, creating excitement, and turning anticipation into visits and sales. From highlighting local ingredients and sustainability to giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse, seasonal imagery keeps your brand relevant and your audience engaged.

Whether you’re running a coffee shop, bakery, food truck, or full-service restaurant, professional photography is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing toolkit. Menu shots, hero images, lifestyle captures, staff features, and exterior photos all work together to showcase your food, highlight your craft, and build trust with your audience. When your visuals are consistent, clear, and compelling, customers know what to expect—and they’re more likely to order, return, and tell friends.

She’s the recipe developer and food stylist for Town & Country Markets, an independent Seattle area grocery company and she’s also the other half of Tide Table, the food column we co-created for Tideland Magazine. She’s cooked for TV, styled for countless shoots, launched food brands and somehow makes it all look effortless.

There’s nothing like a summer launch done right. For Caffe Cocina, the release of their Velvet Sunshine Nitro Cold Brewwas more than just a new product on the shelf—it was a celebration of community, craft, and staying true to who they are.

At BKP, we’ve partnered with Caffe Cocina for over six years, and this project was one of our favorites yet. Together, we built a campaign that touched every corner of their brand: polished product photography for the website and app, lifestyle imagery celebrating Poulsbo (yes, the hometown shoutout made it onto the can!), and visuals for in-store signage and social media.

The result? A launch that looked effortless but was carefully designed to feel exactly like Caffe Cocina—authentic, inviting, and undeniably cool. And just like the coffee itself, the campaign was smooth, refreshing, and impossible to resist.

If you’ve ever stepped into a restaurant and instantly felt something—that subtle alignment between the menu, the mood, and the message—you’ve likely felt the ripple effect of someone like Rachael Studebaker.

There’s something especially rewarding about working on a project that doesn’t just look good—but feels right….

This is a place for creatives, chefs, designers, farmers, marketing directors, and home cooks alike. Together, we’ll explore how to take better food photos, create visuals that sell, and tell the kinds of food stories that make people feel something. Along the way, I’ll be sharing interviews with incredible people in the industry—starting soon with our first expert guest (stay tuned!).