Branding Photography for Chefs and Culinary Professionals

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culinary branding

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Before people read, they see. They absorb your imagery and make assumptions. Are you portraying quality? People don’t look past bad, inconsistent brands.

but, you have a choice!

You can invest in your brand image. You can invest in yourself! Bet on yourself, and know that when you have the right tools, your business will soar.

Ready to uplevel your culinary brand?

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**We dare you to invest in yourself**

WE KNOW YOU WANT GREAT IMAGES....

But what you may not realize is that you need a great experience with your photographer more than anything! That is exactly what we promise to give you. Over and over and over again, our clients rave about their experience almost more than their images! Why? Because in order to get those natural, genuine portraits that truly capture who you are, you have to feel comfortable with the person taking them. The way you feel while you are having your pictures taken heavily influences how you feel when you see yourself in the final images. I can honestly say it is 100% possible to love how you look in your images if you feel comfortable while having them taken! Creating comfortable, joyful and genuine client experiences is what we specialize in.

I’m Amanda, your lead brand photographer. With over a decade of entrepreneurship experience, I totally understand where you are. In fact, I was a chef once! I was in your shoes, looking for the next level of quality marketing content. I have experienced the personal battle of defining your brand, aligning your messaging, and communicating your value.

Meet Amanda Richardson

Your expert culinary brand photographer

Reach Out

Combining my business background and creative vision, I use photography to breathe life into your brand. Your business is my priority. I only work with clients I truly believe in who are ready to make the most of this investment. I give you the tools you need to prepare for your session, and make a plan to use the imagery strategically.

Each client receives:

The Value

- A comprehensive guide to prepare for and nail your photoshoot
- Style consultation and guidance on what to wear for your brand photos
- Answers to all your questions about locations, lighting, shot lists, props
- Specific instruction on staging and preparing food for photography
- Quality digital images that complement your brand story
- A strategy for how to effectively and intentionally use your images
- The confidence of having all the images you need for impactful marketing

Our services are value-packed and tailored to your culinary business.

Are you ready to explore becoming an elite member of our group of highly visible clients?

So, What is Culinary branding?

It's personal branding for chefs and culinary professionals!Personal branding is the art of including your story, personality, and unique expertise into your business’s marketing, images, presence and copy.

People connect with and purchase from brands that they know, trust, and regularly see. Personal branding helps you communicate your true value, reach the right audience, and charge your worth.

- your business is brand new
- your mission and values are still developing
- you're not sure who your ideal client is

Is our Culinary brand experience right for you and your business?

you might not be ready if...

Does this sound familiar?

Your business has been growing, but you still aren’t attracting the right clients at the right price
You know what you want to portray, but your struggle to find the imagery for your marketing
Your social media accounts look like a patchwork quilt of different visuals and styles
You recently rebranded and your imagery looks dated and dull alongside your new brand
You’re serving more high end clients, but your website still has cell phone images!
You feel stuck and embarrassed sending people to your website in its current state

I can help you.

Inquire

“Amanda is a delight to work with! You can tell she really cares about every detail and really gets to know your culinary brand before taking photos. She is so fun and spunky. My team and I had a blast shooting with her and were really happy with the end result.” Fort Worth, TX

Real results

Deb Cantrell

BRAND EXPERIENCE

Signature

Captures a true foundation of images to create a complete, unique, and cohesive brand story aligned with your values.

BOOK A CALL HERE

Includes

Payment plans available.

What does culinary brand photography cost?

Approximate session time: 4 hours

A COMPREHENSIVE STYLE AND PREPARATION GUIDE
1:1 STRATEGY CALL WITH AMANDA BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR SESSION
55 HIGH IMPACT IMAGES DELIVERED WITHIN 5-7 DAYS OF YOUR SHOOT
UP TO 4 OUTFITS
UP TO 3 LOCATIONS/SCENES
PROFESSIONAL HAIR AND MAKEUP

BRAND EXPERIENCE

Foundational

ESSENTIALS

Just the

Your foundation PLUS a complete year of specific marketing content aligned to your goals and campaigns.

Provides a variety of headshots, lifestyle images, and staged behind-the-scenes content for your website. Great for getting started!

Includes

BUNDLE OF THREE BRAND SESSIONS SPREAD OVER 12 MONTHS
A COMPREHENSIVE STYLE AND PREPARATION GUIDE
1:1 STRATEGY CALL WITH AMANDA BEFORE AND AFTER EACH SESSION
55 HIGH IMPACT IMAGES DELIVERED WITHIN 5-7 DAYS OF YOUR SHOOT
UP TO 4 OUTFITS
UP TO 3 LOCATIONS/SCENES
PROFESSIONAL HAIR AND MAKEUP

Includes

A COMPREHENSIVE STYLE AND PREPARATION GUIDE
1:1 STRATEGY CALL WITH AMANDA BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR SESSION
25 HIGH IMPACT IMAGES DELIVERED WITHIN 5-7 DAYS
UP TO 2 OUTFITS
1-2 LOCATIONS/SCENES

Approximate session time: 4 hours each

Approximate session time: 1.5 hours

We offer three unique brand experience options to accommodate various goals for your business. Average investment for our clients is $6,400. We know this is an investment in your brand. Brand is a long game, and we believe you can soar with the right tools in your pocket.

Investment

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE CULINARY BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES?

Brand Photography

01. Chat with Amanda
Book a discovery call to find out if personal brand photography is right for your business.

process

01.

02. Book your Experience
Choose a package that's right for you, sign your contract, pay your retainer, and pick a date!

02.

03. Prepare for your Session
Read your brand experience guide and talk 1:1 with Amanda about your brand strategy.

03.

04. Show up & Show off!
Let us help you tell your brand story! On session day, all you have to do is show up.

04.

05. Use your Imagery
Start using your new custom brand imagery with a purposeful strategy to grow your business!

05.

inquire now!

YES! It really works!

TAILORED TASTE

Monica

"When I changed my profile pic to one you took, I have 250+ views and a boatload of engagement - Thank You!"

VEE CULINARY

Vedam

"Amanda is so worth it! She listens to you and your vision of your brand, and if you are not sure what that is yet, she can also help you solidify your dream and make it a reality! I have worked with Amanda on two different shoots and will be bringing her along on multiple other events! Having a great photo library of your work is imperative!! And by the way this is completely unsolicited ... I just saw her post and wanted to chime in! Instagram Sept 2, 2021

heart and soul

Lisa

“I always love your photos, just amazing! ... I honestly think you are the best in the business.”
-As seen on CHOPPED!

We only take a limited number of clients per year because our we are committed to your success.

LET'S CHAT AND SEE IF
WE ARE A GREAT FIT!

Are you ready to explore becoming an elite member of our group of clients!

CHARLOTTE NC

atlanta, GA

DC METRO AREA

NEXT, it is all about you! We dig deep after you are booked with a lengthy branding questionnaire and then a 60-minute Shoot List Planning call where we create a detailed shoot list for your shoot so you are fully prepared. As a business owner, you are likely the face of your business and we want to tell the story of who you are and what you do in images. There is a time and a place to put you in a business suit and heels, but if that is not how you show up to client meetings, then we are going lean into that look for you!

02.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! I think it is really important to offer you variety, after all, we are setting you apart from your competition and you can’t do that if you are sitting in the same chair in every image! Just my personal opinion 😉

Any of my Branding Sessions I pre-select and scout each location to determined it is the perfect fit for my clients. For those of you who know me, you know I’m picky! This means there are several options in each spot for different looks and scenes, I am insistent on giving you a unique style.

03.

YOUR UNIQUE BRAND - From Bakers and Caterers to Business Coaches and Event Planners everyone has branded material and colors and I will capture it all in unique and exciting ways!

Keep in mind we are going to “stage” everything, so if you want to “frost” a cake or even someone to sit in as your client, you will be surprised how much we can accomplish.

04.

THE DETAILS can easily be overlooked during a photoshoot. Actually the first thing I am going to ask you about on our call are your ‘details’ which will also be your props during our shoot. Details are anything from your branding materials to your computer and iPhone, especially things that include your brand colors. You will even need to think about this for a studio shoot, but don’t worry, you will get a whole list of ideas of what to bring and what to expect.

05.

LET'S REWIND NOW

Scroll down and pick what service suits you best!

Feel free to email me directly any time with questions!

Amanda@AmandaRichardsonPhoto.com

06.

Do you offer headshots only?

REACH OUT

Headshots are an integral part of our brand photography experience. I work with brands who are clear about developing a personal brand strategy. Headshots alone do little to build your personal brand and leave clients lacking valuable content and imagery that they will inevitably be needing soon. Because of this, I integrate headshots into our branding sessions and do not offer them alone.

Do you travel? Where do we shoot?

I do! I am based in North Carolina, but travel all over. Recently, my work has taken me to Texas, Nevada, New York, Virginia, DC, Florida, and more! Travel information and fees will be provided after we have a chance to talk about what you need and the total scope of your brand session. We can plan your shoot in your usual workspace, a rented space, or a different scenic space. My clients also are encouraged to travel to Charlotte for some of their sessions and this allows for variety and a controlled shooting environment.

Do you work with any type of business?

I don’t limit what types of businesses I work with, but my approach and work suits small, independent and creative businesses best. Businesses that don’t have niche branding opportunities or control over custom imagery and messaging would not benefit from personal brand photography (franchises, network marketing, etc).

Can you photograph my products?

Product, retail, and food photography are services I can offer. Typically, we focus on who you are, what you do, and naturally weave in some product photography through telling the story of how you do your job. Entirely product-focused shoots will be quoted separately.

How far in advance should I book?

Typically, the planning process takes at least a month. There are seasons where demand increases and I am not available for sessions for 2-3 months. I would inquire at least one quarter before you need your images, giving us time to plan, shoot, and deliver.

What do I wear to my brand session?

I will give you all the guidance you need! You'll receive a guide for how to plan for your session, what to wear and bring, as well as 1:1 planning call to ensure you feel prepared and know what to wear.

Questions?

Your food and products are important aspects of your brand. Let's showcase them through great imagery!

food photography

During a culinary branding session, your food might be part of your session as we capture your behind the scenes creating your dishes. This typically includes your hands working with ingredients, pulling dishes out of the oven, pouring wine, etc. If you need images that feature your dishes by themselves for menus, website, or portfolio, we'll need to plan a studio session, focusing solely on your dishes.

Staging and plating your food for photography purposes is way different than plating your food for customers! The camera lens compresses reality and regular plates can leave your dishes looking tiny and incomplete. Plus, you can actually tell if food is cold on camera! My unique, combined experience as a chef and photographer allows me to help you through these problems and prepare you for the perfect studio food photoshoot.

The camera sees things differently

Food photography done right is meticulous. I understand how to deconstruct a recipe and put it together so it's photo-ready and plated. As a trained chef and former culinary business owner myself, I get how much work it is to create a beautiful meal presentation, set a whole banquet table, or design a menu.

Yes, professional photography is an investment BUT not only do I take your picture, that's a given! I also give you the tools and coaching on how to PURPOSEFULLY use your images to make an impact with your audience!
As you stand out more, you book more, when you book more, well, you make more $$$

How will these photos help me make more money?

download the worksheet

Absolutely. But, I will also give you my opinion if I feel it is the best option for you. Depending on the event, there may be a professional photographer onsite, other events may not be the best way to build your brand, I want you to maximize our time together during these sessions!

Can I use these sessions for an event?

I suggest 2-3 outfit changes. But if you are going for more than that, I would suggest wearing layers. For example, if you are a Chef, I suggest wearing your Chef coat first with a neutral top on underneath that we can also use. These suggestions are outlined in more detail after you book your session.

How many outfit changes do I get during the shoot?

LIGHT! Whatever we do, I will pick places with lots of natural light! I am a natural light photographer, but also am skilled with artificial lighting if needed. We will go into detail on locations and what will resonate best with your brand.

How do you decide on the locations?

Yes, it actually is! In order for me to fully understand you and your brand it is imperative that we talk through your dreams and goals for the year. We will craft your brand message and likely talk about how we can market upcoming campaigns.

Is the pre-shoot planning session required?

Consistency is the key to a strong online brand. Your headshots will only take you so far. Your ideal clients want to get to know the authentic you. Offering impactful images that show who you are and the story of your brand will grow your audience and build a quality online brand.

How will this improve my online presence?

If YOU're still on the fence...

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Chef Lisa Brooks

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Okay, I took sooooo many pictures while I was in Texas it actually crashed my computer at one point 😉 That is going to be my new bar for excellence, I need to get so many pictures that my computer goes into overload! Well, maybe not, as it is, I need a new one lol

I will warn you, there will be a couple of articles about this trip because it was so amazing and I met so many wonderful people along the way, I just can’t fit it all into one!

Chef Deb

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I am head over heels for Chef Keisha! I had the pleasure of getting to know her through another client and was so excited for this photoshoot! Keisha was the first to jump on the Mini Branding Sessions when they were released and then we extended it a bit to fit in some food shots as well!
Keisha’s business is in full bloom right now, she is in the midst of building a new website to offer her gourmet dishes while also learning new and advanced techniques and business practices under Executive Chef Lisa Brooks!

Chef Keisha Brynn

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Chef Monica Thomas of Tailored Taste took some time to sit down with me and chat about how things have been going in her business since Covid began, how she has made some pivots, what is in store for the future and of course where she got her inspiration for the Preserved Lemon Bucatini recipe she has been so generous to share with us for the the month of June!

Tailored Taste

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What a treat it was to finally have the opportunity to work with Donna Maria! This soft-spoken, beautiful woman always comes prepared and is one of the most passionate, fun-loving business owners I have ever had the pleasure to meet!

To give you some background, Donna Maria founded the Indie Business Network which was the “first for-profit recurring revenue membership business on the Internet”.

Donna Maria

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Clients

My

Portfolio

BRanding Gallery

I cherish the work I do with my clients. My style of photography is editorial meaning my entire purpose is to tell your story. I won't lie, it takes some work on your end too, but by the time you reach this stage of business, you are ready and excited to jump, dig deep and show the world what you are made of (even if you are hesitant to get in front of the camera)!

One of the best parts of what I do is coming TO YOU! I travel the country to capture you in your environment. Not only is this the best way to show off what you do and who you do it for, but it gives you a sense of comfort and makes all the images more natural and relaxed.

Enjoy the gallery scroll, I can't wait to get to know you in this same way!