Food Photographer – Frederick, MD / DC / VA

Chef-trained at The Willard and The Berkeley, with lighting expertise honed alongside National Geographic, I create dishes that are perfectly styled, beautifully lit, and ready to elevate your brand

Looking for a Commercial Food Photographer in Frederick, Maryland?

I am 15 minutes away and bring Washington, DC level quality gourmet food photography to the Frederick area.

Elevate Your Menu with Professional Food Photography.

With 15 years as a professional chef at The Willard and The Berkeley, a foundation in artistic composition from The Corcoran, and lighting expertise honed alongside National Geographic, I create gourmet food photography that’s beautifully styled, perfectly lit, and designed to perform across menus, social media, and advertising campaigns.

How Steve Whysall Styles all his gourmet food photo shoots

Chef-Level Styling
Every dish is presented with the precision of a fine-dining chef, highlighting texture, color, and visual appeal. I style all my food photos from 15 years of professional chef experience.

Artistic Composition
My Corcoran-educated eye ensures each plate is photographed with balance, clarity, and elegance.

World-Class Lighting
Trained lighting expertise from a 5-year stint with a well-known local National Geographic photographer Richard Nowitz - From bright and natural to dramatic and moody, lighting is intentionally crafted to make your food irresistible.

Commercial Results
These aren’t just pretty pictures—they’re images designed to engage customers, elevate your brand, and drive sales.

Food Photographer Frederick, MD | DC, VA | No Food Stylist Needed With Whysall Photography -Gourmet Food For Greenmake on black place mat with fresh carrots, fresh spices, celery sticks and raw fish

Food Photographer Frederick, MD | DC, VA | No Food Stylist Needed With Whysall Photography- Gourmet Food For Greenmake on blue gray board with raw steak, fresh garlic, fresh spices on gold bowl

Food Photographer Frederick, MD | DC, VA | No Food Stylist Needed With Whysall Photography- Gourmet Food For Greenmake raw chicken, carrot sticks, fresh red pepper, spices in bowl, celery stalks, in artistic design with even lighting

Food Photographer Frederick, MD | DC, VA | No Food Stylist Needed With Whysall Photography- Gourmet Food For Greenmake raw fish with bell pepper, garlic, celery, ginger root on blue placemat with even lighting in artistic formation

Food Photographer Frederick, MD | DC, VA | No Food Stylist Needed With Whysall Photography- Gourmet Food For Greenmake several bowls of fresh herbs and vegetables designed in an artistic manner for food photo shoot with even shite lighting

Food Photographer Frederick, MD | DC, VA | No Food Stylist Needed With Whysall Photography- Gourmet Food For Greenmake on red placemat with raw fish, noodles, onion rings and chopsticks

My Food Photography Process

Consultation: Discuss your menu, brand, and goals.
Styling & Plating: Apply chef-level expertise to create visually compelling dishes.
Lighting & Shooting: Use National Geographic–refined techniques to highlight every detail.
Post-Production: Deliver polished, commercial-ready full-sized images.

Your Gourmet Food Menu Deserves More Than a Smartphone Snapshot

From fine dining entrées to indulgent desserts, I create images that make your customers hungry for more.

Increases customer engagement and sales
Elevates your brand perception
Shows attention to detail and professionalism

Gourmet Food Reviews

The Perfect Gourmet

I was searching for a local photographer to do food photos for our website, and talked to several before deciding to work with Steve— whom I chose because he was the most pleasant, had the most experience, and was a former chef!
I definitely made the right decision.
I’ve worked with him on three separate occasions now, and have had nothing but wonderful experiences.
He is professional, accommodating, and super fun to work with— as is his assistant.
He was able to translate our vision (which was admittedly vague at times) into gorgeous photos that we are very excited to showcase on our new website.
Cannot say enough good things, and would definitely recommend his services. Thank you, Steve!
— Clare from The Perfect Gourmet
Frederick Cheesecakes

When I Googled “gourmet food photographer in Frederick MD”, Whysall Photography was the first to pop up. I read through Steve’s website and thought this guy sounds too good to be true. But I took my chances and gave him a call to see if he would take photographs of my cheesecakes for my small start up business.
We spoke a few minutes on the phone. He was kind and accommodating and instantly I felt confident he was the guy for the job. We met that same week to discuss my vision.
After just a few minutes of consulting with Steve, and seeing samples of his work, I knew that he was more than qualified to meet my needs. His credentials are impressive, but he exceeds them on a personal level.
Steve is not only an artist, a visionary, a professional and a perfectionist when it comes to his craft, he is a genuinely nice and caring human being. He will not rest until he gets it just right. He created images that exceeded my vision. Without hesitation, I recommend Steve for any and all of your photography needs.”
— Tee
Genius Jerky

Thank you Whysall Photography for capturing the true all-natural essence of our product! We use only the freshest of ingredients and these pictures say it all!
— Angela

Want food photography that is different?

My food photos reflect what the meat is meant to look like, and how all the flavors meld together. I have bold colors and powerful, complicated gel lighting in my food galleries. Sometimes I use an even, soft, undetected lighting, and sometimes I gel the background and use a more edgy colored lighting. It all depends on the message you want and the look you are going for.

As a former chef I style all my food photos. I am an art school educated, and NATGEO trained photographer with over 25 years of professional photography experience.