Restaurant Photography That Does More Than Make Food Look Good

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Restaurant Photography That Does More Than Make Food Look Good

Why Good Restaurant Photography Is About More Than Pretty Food Photos

A lot of restaurant owners understandably start from the same place when thinking about photography: they want the food to look better. That matters, of course, but I think the real value of restaurant photography goes further than that. Strong restaurant images should help people stop, pay attention, get a feel for the business, and feel more confident about coming in. On the Monterey Peninsula especially, where people have plenty of dining options, photography should not just make menu items look appealing. It should help a restaurant stand out, build trust, and attract both new customers and repeat visits.

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Pacific Grove Volunteer Appreciation Lunch and Awards Ceremony 2026

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Pacific Grove Volunteer Appreciation Lunch and Awards Ceremony 2026

Honored to Be There, and Glad to Contribute

This was my first time to be invited to the Volunteer Appreciation Lunch & Awards Ceremony for the City of Pacific Grove because I just became a commissioner on the Traffic Safety Committee earlier this year. So the invitation came as a very nice surprise! It was an honor to be included in an event recognizing people who give their time and energy to the city. As always, I brought my camera even though I was just attending as a guest. Deputy City Manager, Joyce Halabi, is someone I often see at various city events getting photos too, so I asked her if it was ok to get some shots of the awards ceremony. She said yes, and helped coordinate the photo ops as well. Thank you to the whole team at City Hall that helped put this together for the volunteers. Being there as both a volunteer and a photographer felt especially meaningful, and I was glad to help document a small part of what makes Pacific Grove such a special community.

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Team Headshot System Update for Monterey Natural Wellness | New Staff Headshot Match

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Team Headshot System Update for Monterey Natural Wellness | New Staff Headshot Match

When a Team Grows, the Branding Should Still Match

Eight months after I first brought my mobile studio setup to Monterey Natural Wellness to photograph Dr. Allison and her team, and two months after she first sent new team members to my headshot photo studio here in Pacific Grove, she reached out again because a new team member needed a headshot that would match the same established look. Melissa does not live nearby, so I was glad to schedule a shoot time for her specifically that worked best for her to maximize convenience.

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Monterey Peninsula Golf Photography with Mike and Mike

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Monterey Peninsula Golf Photography with Mike and Mike

A Round of Golf, Family Along for the Walk, and Plenty of Good Moments to Catch

Mike contacted me some time ago about golf photography for playing a full 18 hole round with his dad at the most famous golf course on the Monterey Peninsula. The weather forecast was not looking great only a few days out, but rapidly improved to a near ideal day out on the course! Mike’s dad is also named Mike! It was not only fun to capture their golf action shots, but also the interaction between them as father and son. Additionally, following in a cart watching their round was Mike’s mom and sister. It was great to be a part of this family golfing experience on such a beautiful day out on the course. Thank you Mike for choosing me as your golf photographer!

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What It’s Like to Be on the Other Side of the Camera | Pacific Grove Headshot Photographer

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What It’s Like to Be on the Other Side of the Camera | Pacific Grove Headshot Photographer

A Different Perspective for Yours Truly

This shoot was a role reversal for me. Instead of being behind the camera, I asked my friend Felix to come into the studio to help make photographs of me! I am not often the one in front of the camera, especially not my own camera. Felix knows about photography some, and we have known each other for a while, so it was easier for me to relax a little while he was making headshots and branding photos for me that I really needed. I set up the lighting and the background, described what I was looking for in terms of photos to Felix, and he helped out also with posing ideas, getting me to relax (not look so serious, ha ha), and just general reassurance — all the things I do for my clients normally!

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Asilomar Beach Sunset Reflection Pools | Pacific Grove Coastal Photography

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Asilomar Beach Sunset Reflection Pools | Pacific Grove Coastal Photography

There is a stretch of coastline at Asilomar Beach where, at the right time of day, small pools form between the rocks and begin to reflect the sky.

During sunset, those reflections shift quickly—light softens, colors deepen, and the line between ocean, sky, and foreground starts to blur.

These images were made while moving slowly through that space, focusing less on the wide scene and more on the smaller, quieter moments happening at ground level.

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A Different Approach to Event Photography in Monterey, Carmel, and Pebble Beach

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A Different Approach to Event Photography in Monterey, Carmel, and Pebble Beach

If you are planning an event, conference, or corporate gathering, photography is usually one of the last things to get locked in. And often, the decision is simple—go with someone familiar, someone who has done it before, someone who is easy to book. However, there is a noticeable difference between standard event coverage and a more modern, thoughtful approach to documenting an event. This is a look at how I approach event photography, and how that experience can feel different—for planners, for venues, and for the people attending.

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