About

Telling visual culinary stories through the natural beauty of food for food brands, magazines and restaurants. Food is life. Let’s capture it together!

I’m Justin, a San Diego-based food photographer whose journey began in a high school darkroom and a family kitchen. My parallel passions for cooking (which I’ve practiced since age 15) and photography naturally converged into a career capturing food in its most authentic and appetizing light.

My approach celebrates the inherent beauty of ingredients through thoughtful composition, lighting, and an eye for the textures, colors and angles that make food look irresistible. This perspective has led to regular contributions in San Diego Magazine, Women’s Running Magazine, and Triathlete Magazine, as well as the creation of SaltPepperSkillet.com, where I develop, cook, and photograph my own recipes.

Known for clear communication, on-time delivery, and a collaborative spirit, I make the creative process enjoyable and efficient. Clients appreciate my responsiveness and ability to translate their vision into compelling imagery without unnecessary complications.

I partner with food brands, restaurants, and publications that value quality and authenticity in their visual storytelling, bringing a chef’s understanding and a photographer’s eye to every project.

Commercial Services

Food Photography • Restaurant Photography • Editorial Food Photography • Product Photography

Get In Touch

[email protected] // 858.876.5691

Photo Studio

Located just minutes from downtown in South Park, my fully-equipped kitchen photo studio serves as the perfect setting for food and product photography. This dedicated space features natural light complemeented by professional lighting equipment, a collection of props, surfaces, and backgrounds, plus all the culinary tools needed to prepare and style dishes on-site.

Select Clients

Red Bull. San Diego Magazine. Grand Hyatt, Shake Shack. Women’s Running Magazine. Pop Pie Co. Weber Grills. Kingsford Charcoal. American Lamb Board. Qualcomm. Blue Dot Living. Dahlicious. The Jersey Tomato Co. O’Dang Hummus. Puffer Malarkey Collective. Brugal Rum. National Turkey Federation.

Fun Facts About Me

Favorite Food: Noodles. Give me all the noodles from all around the world. I love them all.

Favorite Lens: 100mm Macro to really capture the textures of the food.

Sports & Activities: Mountain biking, tennis, camping and backpacking.

Coffee Ritual: Latte at home, drip when out.

Favorite Pleasure Snack: Haribo Goldbears (no guilt necessary!)

Cooking Strength: Live fire cooking.

Can’t Stand: Being late

Family Life: Partnered with my wife Stacy, raising two awesome kids and one chocolate labradoodle.

Favorite Place: Sitting next to the pristine mountain lake high in the mountains.

Cooking Style: No recipe required, just a few simple fresh ingredients from the market and fun creating something new.