Top 10 Food Photographers in Portland, OR

It would seem that almost everyone is a food photographer these days, documenting their meal before posting it to social media. But it takes a lot of skill and a keen eye for composition to create truly stunning food photography that captures the story behind the dish and/or its ingredients.

It’s no secret that Portland boasts an outstanding dining scene. So it makes sense that it’s also home to plenty of talented food photographers who specialize in everything from restaurants to farmed produce and food-related products. In this guide, we’ll introduce 10 of our favorites whose images are nothing short of mouthwatering.

Emily Triggs

Emily Triggs is both a photographer and stylist who specializes in capturing branding images for eateries and food purveyors. She says that she’s inspired by her travels, gardening, and hosting dinner parties, with her clean and bright images always stunning.

Through Emily’s photography, you can feel the textures of the ingredients and the joy of food preparation. Previous clients include Pacific Foods, Dave’s Killer Bread, and Dr. Praeger’s, as well as Spielman’s Bagels and the Union Wine Co.

Polara Studio

Based in Portland, Polara Studio is a team of seven experienced photographers who specialize in not only food and beverage but also sportswear and lifestyle photography. In the industry since 1993, they know how to effectively promote brands through gorgeous images and the appeal of what’s on the plate. In addition to being skilled shooters, Polara Studio is also great at post-production and can transform everyday images into something magical.

Susan O’Bryan

Susan O’Bryan describes herself as not only a food photographer and a dining guide author but also a “burger enthusiast”. Born and raised in Santa Monica, California, she now calls Portland “home” where she works with restaurants, farmers, markets, and brands to promote their produce and menus. Clients love her skilled eye for composition and extensive knowledge about what works in food photography. When she’s not photographing food, Susan is documenting her cat and feline rescue friends.

Fare Photo

Jeremy Pawlowski is the photographer behind Fare Photo and documents everything from tiny food carts to national campaigns for brands such as Pizza Hut, Bud Light, and the California Pizza Kitchen. He loves how every job presents him with new challenges and the opportunity to take images in a unique way. Jeremy’s mission is to capture incredible photos that reflect the heart and soul that chefs and restaurant owners pour into their work.  

PDX Food Photographer

Aubrie LeGault is the photographer behind PDX Food Photographer and has garnered a reputation for her bright and colorful images. Shooting with Nikon gear, Aubrie is passionate about beautiful light, raw oysters, and cocktails, as well as capturing dishes with casually styled ingredients in their surroundings. Her images are mouthwatering and always have a high-end look, which has seen her attract the attention of big-name brands, such as FINEX cast iron cookware.

John Valls Studio

John Valls Studio is the team of John Valls (photographer) and Theresa Valls (producer) who have together built a name for their gorgeous food photography. They work with a huge variety of clients that range from farmers and purveyors to wineries and restaurants and capture images that span the spectrum from rustic to high-end white linen. John Valls Studio is all about documenting every part of the food cycle, from farm to table and everything in between.

Foodie Snitch

Emily is behind the camera at Foodie Snitch and has worked with culinary-related brands that include Dutch Bros Coffee, Matt’s BBQ, and Angela Vineyards. She works with clients both big and small and says that “making sure my clients and colleagues feel seen, heard and have a good time on set is of the utmost importance to me.” In her approach, Emily combines both classic and contemporary photographic techniques while capturing the story behind dishes and the ambiance of restaurants.

Carly Diaz Photography

Carly Diaz is a commercial and editorial photographer who’s lived as far afield as Rome, Seoul, and Amsterdam before returning home to Portland, Oregon. She now works with clients in the food, beverage, product, and lifestyle industries, and her work has been published by “Bon Appétit”, “Food & Wine”, and “Martha Stewart”. In her pursuit to capture moments of “beauty, creativity, and wonder”, she’s had the opportunity to work with Patrón Tequila, House Spirits Distillery, and Tony's Chocolonely.

Dina Avila

Currently based in Portland, Dina Avila is an award-winning commercial and editorial photographer who has built a name for her distinctive style. We love her creative use of lighting and bold colors, with the ingredients and dishes almost jumping off the page. Dina often incorporates utensils and hands into her shots, offering a taste of the dining experience itself. She’s worked with “Conde Nast Traveler”, “Bon Appetit Magazine” and Star Chefs, as well as Landry's Restaurants and “Travel and Leisure”.

Aaron Lee Photography

Born and raised in Portland, Aaron Lee specializes in “capturing moments, feelings, and emotions through the interplay of light and shadows”. He’s passionate about collaborating with and helping the local business community, drawing on his previous career in advertising and skills in visual storytelling. Aaron works with a combination of natural and diffused studio light in his aerial and table-side images, as well as documenting the art of food preparation and the dining experience itself.

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