Welcome…
It’s hard to say what came first, my love of food or my love of photography. From pouring over food magazines and cooking multi-coursed dinners for my brothers and friends as a kid, to moving to Italy in my twenties to study the culinary arts and, well, eat my way through Europe, I have always been moved by how food—selecting it, cooking it, serving and eating it—can tell a story.
Anne Watson • FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER
About me
It’s hard to say what came first, my love of food or my love of photography. From pouring over food magazines and cooking multi-coursed dinners for my brothers and friends as a kid, to moving to Italy in my twenties to study the culinary arts and, well, eat my way through Europe, I have always been moved by how food—selecting it, cooking it, serving and eating it—can tell a story.
At the same time, with a dad who loved photography and a great high school photo class darkroom, I began carrying a camera with me everywhere at a very young age. Photography remained my hobby through many years in the corporate world, traveling country to country for work and documenting what I saw in my time off.
I suppose it’s because I have always loved both food and photography that photographing food, and the farmers, chefs, and restaurants behind it, comes naturally to me. My personal style comes out of a deep love, and understanding, of the food culture of Southern California and the places I’ve lived and traveled — from Europe to Asia, Africa, Australia, all over America, and everywhere in between. With a background in professional kitchens, I am as comfortable on the line, shooting chefs as they plate dishes on fine china, as I am riding in a pickup truck to an orchard to capture the avocado harvest.
My work has been featured in nationally and internationally celebrated magazines, newspapers, and cookbooks, and my clients range from publications to national brands to the local food truck…
I have offices based in Orange County and San Diego, and when not behind the camera lens, I have another full-time role as a mother and stepmother. I live with my husband on a ranch and vineyard in North San Diego County.
Camarones en Recado Negro at @chaak_kitchen — woodfire tiger prawns, mojo de ajo, crispy chilmole rice, salpicon 🖤 Congratulations to @chefgabbipatrick, @chefvincentespz & the entire team at ...
Dec 11
Oh heyyyyy there, sexy. 🍅 @bellobysandro #PastaPomodoro #ItaliansDoItBetter
Dec 8
Because #TheWeekendIsHere. @harleylagunabeach #cheers
Dec 7
#NationalCookieDay calls for homemade soft-in-the-middle, crunchy-around-the-edges, ooey-gooey-hot-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies 🍪❤️ (Bonus points for baking with protein-rich ...
Dec 6
Rainy day cure @sapphirelaguna 🍜🔥 #Udon #SapphireLaguna #LagunaBeachEats
Dec 4
Salted Caramel Budino di Pane at @thedrakelaguna 💙 #SaveRoomForDessert #TheDrakeLaguna #LagunaBeachEats
Dec 4
Housemade angel hair, Maine lobster, Burmese tomato curry, peanuts and cilantro. @cannery_newport 🙌🏻 #CanneryNewport #OCEats #NewportBeach
Dec 3
You know that here on The Watson Ranch December 1st is synonymous with, “First day of holiday baking season!!” 🎄❤️❄️ And what smells more like Christmastime than warm homemade ...
Dec 2
So, turns out this is what happens when I listen to Metallica while baking a pie... 😆🤟🏻⚡️ I have deemed this my “Ride the Lightning Pie.” Inspired by @jamieoliver’s Pithivier Pie, ...
Nov 27
Countdown to Thanksgiving is on... who’s excited?! (🙋🏻♀️ I am! I am! I am!) @fivecrownsrestaurant #Thanksgiving2019
Nov 25
A lil’ Saturday night cocktail magic 🥃🌬 courtesy of @ravin1, aka the magic-maker. @undercdm @cdmrestaurant #coronadelmar #smokedcocktails
Nov 24
Flashing back today to my shoot in September with San Diego Magazine’s Creative Director @jsydnie where we styled our hearts out for this month’s cover of @sandiegomag ❤️ SWIPE RIGHT ...
Nov 22
The culinary scene of Orange County continues to grow each year to include more & more new, exciting cuisines and I love seeing one of my new favorites, @chefgabbipatrick’s @chaak_kitchen, ...
Nov 20
Taco Tuesday vibes ✌🏻🌮❤️ @solcocina #TacoTuesday #TacoLove #SOLcocina
Nov 20
Just in case you were wondering, THIS is what happens when the awesome team at @sandiegomag lets me into a room with a giant table-full of gorgeous meats, cheeses & artisanal products and says, ...
Nov 18
Because on The Watson Ranch, Sundays are for baking. 🍂🍐🧡 We are currently diving into this homemade Organic Pear & Brie Tart with toasted walnuts & brandy. #ThisIsFall ...
Nov 17
Tableside Caesar Salad service at @thequeenmarysirwinstons - a rare treat & a true classic. @thequeenmary #SirWinstons #TablesideService #CaesarSalad
Nov 17
Friday night vibes @fableandspirit ✨ #datenight #halibut #porkbelly #lido #newportbeach
Nov 16
AGUACHILE | @descansorestaurant #costamesa #mexicancuisine
Nov 15
Raising a glass this evening to International #WinePhotographyDay! 📸🍇🍷@jbrixwine #Syrah #SanDiegoWine #JBrixWine #Cheers
Nov 14
