The 8 Best Food Photographers in Milwaukee

Wondering who made our list of the most talented Milwaukee food photographers? At Peerspace, we get it! While it might not be the gastronomical epicenter you think of first, the culinary scene in Milwaukee is widely recognized as one of the most underrated in the country.

Thanks to an influx of new restaurants and bars, the city has experienced a revival, which means it’s a joy for Milwaukee food photographers. Here are our favorite artists who live and work in the true Paris of the Midwest.

1. Grace Natoli Sheldon

Internationally known for her illustrative food photography, Grace Natoli Sheldon has been working in the field of culinary images for over 30 years. In that time, she’s been the go-to for cookbooks, magazine covers, and even a Hallmark Greeting card.

In fact, one look at her composition and style shows immediately why. With a background in prop and set styling, Grace has a passion for food that shines through in her bold, richly saturated colors and playful compositions.

2. Chris Kessler Photography

A commercial and editorial photographer, Chris Kessler is a graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. We love how his two creative loves — food and portraiture — both show the same attention to detail.

Chris’s food photography is an education in textures and light, creating clear and mouthwatering results. Perhaps best of all, Chris’s ability to focus on food while introducing motion to the photos gives a rich indulgence to many of his shots. It also helps remind us that food is crafted by people — skilled, creative individuals who are making little delicious works of art every day.

3. Scott Lanza of Lanza Studio

Scott Lanza has been working as a food photographer since 1980, collaborating directly with clients as well as with agencies. His passion for cheese — and, of course, being a photographer in Wisconsin, it goes without saying — means that dairy shots are his personal favorites.

The interplay of colors on creams and whites creates a sort of dreamy aftereffect, giving life to Scott’s photographs. Don’t you just feel those hunger pangs?

4. Erin Bloodgood of Bloodgood Foto

With experience working in New York advertising, Erin Bloodgood moved to Milwaukee in 2015. She quickly found herself falling in love with the city and the communities that build it. Her ethos is to build stories through photographs, and you can clearly see this take on her visual photography in her food photographs.

There is an elegance and refinement to her culinary images that highlight the natural beauty of the produce, as well as honors the ways in which the food was prepared. Her work is upscale and classy, which is the perfect pairing for high-end eateries and refined publications.

5. David of Jackson & Co.

Owner, director, and photographer David Jackson heads up Jackson & Co., an award-winning full-service photography studio. David’s photos boast a film-like, hyper-realistic effect that celebrates the colors found in food and the effort that goes into producing it.

Jackson gets creative with the textures and compositions of food shots, which is a breath of fresh air. After all, it’s not all small depth of field close-up shots of food on thick wooden cutting boards, which some people have made an entire career of. And we love those, so don’t get us wrong, but take the photo above, for example. Doesn’t the intense red of that lobster pop against the distressed metallic gray?

6. Kate Berg Photography

Over the past 10 years, Kate Berg has worked her way up among Milwaukee food photographers, from assistant to photographer and retoucher. Her experience has taught her how to find those moments of light and life. She also knows the difference between a good shot and a great shot.

Kate’s photography is rich with light and detail, showcasing a brightness and crispness that heroes the dishes. She knows that simplicity is sometimes the most powerful thing — that the loveliness of fresh ingredients is gorgeous on its own. She then allows its natural beauty to take center stage.

7. David Szymanski Photography

https://www.instagram.com/davidszymanski/

A commercial and editorial food photographer in Milwaukee, David Szymanski (pronounced sha-mine-ski) has done it all. He’s toured with bands, eaten food by some of the world’s greatest chefs, and been stuck in cabs with reality TV stars.

David’s photography has a truly refined eye, highlighting the elegance and sophistication of all food — from fine dining to tacos. Given his background, his food photography reminds us of the lifestyle elements of eating well. He highlights the communal nature of sharing a good meal and drinks and the unique and fascinating culture of the restaurant world.

8. Matt and Sarah of Haas & Haas Photography

Haas & Haas Photography — that is, Matt and Sarah Haas — are Milwaukee food photographers who are passionate about visual storytelling. With an eye for cool angles and unorthodox framing, Haas & Haas Photography presents food that looks as delicious as it is artistic. That love of the work is also the reason you’ll find their work in publications like Bon Appetit.

We also love when food photographers incorporate the chefs and cooks who prepare the food to whatever degree they can. Showing the elements that come together to produce a perfect meal (e.g. the chef’s experienced hand seasoning from above, the fresh ingredients arrayed along the kitchen line, etc.) communicates the entire story of a dish to us.

Bonus: Landre Photography

Lacy Landre of Landre Photography has earned her place as one of Milwaukee’s most respected commercial and architectural photographers. Given that combination, it is probably unsurprising that her food photography is also utter dynamite.

Lacy frequently incorporates flat lay shots that make us feel as though we are sitting before the beautiful dish that is the focus of her image. She also utilizes pops of color, rich compositions, and neat plating to whip our senses into a frenzy. Hers is the photographic skill set of a master, and we can understand what keeps her in such demand.

Milwaukee food photographers: conclusion

These Milwaukee food photographers won’t let anyone forget just how solid a food town Cream City really is. After all, this city also has some of the best beer culture in the entire country. And nothing goes better with that than some truly epic food! So if you’re looking for someone to communicate to the world just delicious your food is, then check this group out.

And once you book your favorite, then come back here to Peerspace. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we have hundreds of Milwaukee hidden gems that can serve as some truly epic photoshoot settings. From editorial-worthy kitchens to professional studios and everything in between, our diverse selection of venues can suit your dynamic project with ease.

Find unique production spaces in Milwaukee on Peerspace