Gourmet Food Photography — Frederick, MD / DC / VA
Elevate your menu and showcase your dishes with professional photography that sells. From elegant entrées to decadent desserts, I make every plate look irresistible.
Why Choose Whysall Photography for Your Food
With over 25 years of professional photography experience — and a background as a chef in high-end restaurants — I understand both presentation and flavor. That means your food will not only look good but tell a story that connects with your customers.
No extra stylist needed: I handle plating and styling myself
Expert lighting: Every shot highlights texture, color, and detail
Local expertise: Serving Frederick, MD, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia
How the Process Works
Send Your Menu / Project Details
Tell me about your dishes, preferred style, and project goals.Consultation & Planning
I review your menu, discuss vision, and plan lighting and staging.The Shoot Day
Professional photography in-studio or on-location — I style, shoot, and capture every detail.Editing & Retouching
Images are color-corrected, cropped, and optimized for web, print, and social media.Delivery & Licensing
Receive high-resolution images with full usage rights for your marketing needs.
Food Photography Services — Starting at $500
Restaurant & Menu Photography
Capture elegant entrées, signature dishes, and full menu spreads
Deliver images optimized for web, print, and social media
Dessert Photography
Highlight plated desserts, pastries, and baked goods
Perfect for menus, online ordering, or social media campaigns
Custom Projects
Branding, seasonal campaigns, or editorial-style shoots
Tailored package to meet your marketing goals
Why Professional Menu Photography Matters
Your food deserves more than a smartphone snapshot. Professional photography:
Increases customer engagement and sales
Elevates your brand perception
Shows attention to detail and professionalism
From fine dining entrées to indulgent desserts, I create images that make your customers hungry for more.
Gourmet Food Reviews
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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
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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
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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
FAQ — Food Photography
Q: Do you shoot on location at the restaurant?
A: Yes, I can shoot in your kitchen or dining space, or in my studio depending on your project needs.
Q: Can you style the plates, or should my chef do that?
A: I handle professional styling myself, saving you time and money on a separate stylist.
Q: How long does a typical session take?
A: Most menu shoots take 2–4 hours, depending on the number of dishes and complexity of styling.
Q: What do images cost?
A: Packages start at $500. Final pricing depends on project scope, number of images, and usage rights.
Q: What do I get after the shoot?
A: You receive fully edited, high-resolution images optimized for web, print, and social media, with full usage rights.
These 6 photos were shot for Greenmake, a food delivery company
Want food photography that is different?
My food photos have bold colors and powerful, complicated gel lighting. Sometimes I use an even soft undetected lighting, but it 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 20 years of professional photography experience, and 15 years of executive chef experience. This combination will deliver you the best food photography in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area.
Former Chef
I was a chef before I was a photographer. A severe burn injury made me consider changing careers. I had always enjoyed photography, so while healing I took some photos and applied to The Corcoran Gallery of Art.
My chef experience is what helps me bring a unique quality to my food photography. My love of food is clear, as you want to sit down and take a bite from every picture. I take pride in styling my own food photography. I am convinced that your food photos need to reflect what the meat is meant to look like and how all the flavors work together. Save your money on a food stylist with me.
Over 20 years of professional photography experience. Educated at The Corcoran. Trained by National Geographic. Serving the Washington, DC metro area including Maryland, Northern Virginia, and DC. There's no need for a food stylist when you hire Whysall Photography! Bring your gourmet food to life with my creative compositions and my expert lighting techniques.
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
“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
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
If you have questions about how far I will travel, what I charge, or what your copy right use of my photos will be please call or email and I will be happy to go over your concerns. Or you can email me.