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.
Today I was craving some baking Zen 🌱 When the world gets crazy, I prefer to turn inward - reflect - meditate - create - and then share a lil’ love with those around me. ❤️ So here’s a ...
Jul 6
Happy 4th, Watson Ranch style! 🇺🇸❤️ Blueberry Caprese featuring fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes from @macielfamilyorganicfarm & a big ol’ creamy pillow of @distefanocheese Burrata alla ...
Jul 5
I was inspired by a recent repost that my dear friends at @maxloveproject put up of a recipe by @themodernproper for Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan. I decided to put a lil’ twist on it tonight by ...
Jul 1
It’s an unusually cool & cloudy evening in Southern California with rain just starting to fall here in Fallbrook tonight and I was craving some warm, comforting food with summertime flavors ...
Jun 29
Saturday night dinner on The Watson Ranch 💕 Found these incredible (HUGE!) figs & beautiful nectarines at the @elisfarm farmstand here in my hometown of Fallbrook, so decided to grill them up ...
Jun 28
You guys, this Bowl is the 💣💥!! #Repost @noblebirdrotisserie
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“Want something heartier than a salad? Get our Noble Bowl! It comes with pulled rotisserie chicken, farro, ...
Jun 24
Just got in from the garden with Russell - he helped me pick today’s lil’ backyard harvest ❤️Few things are cooler than getting to teach your child about growing food / where food comes from. ...
Jun 23
Because eating well doesn’t mean having to sacrifice flavor or FUN, right!? Felt inspired to start my week off on a positive note today & decided to CREATE for the sake of creating✨🌈 Using ...
Jun 22
Celebrating Summer Solstice & its beautiful long shadows with summertime pizzas here on The Watson Ranch tonight 🌞 Homemade Sprouted Whole Wheat & Einkorn Wheat crust topped with ...
Jun 21
Salsa, deconstructed 💃🏻🍅🌶 #Repost @eatpuesto:
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“What came first: the chips or the salsa? 🤔 #eatpuesto”
Jun 19
Last week I gave Tim an oyster mushroom growing kit from @backtotheroots_official for his birthday and he & Russell grew some beautiful mushrooms in just one week! So it was time for a Bruschetta ...
Jun 17
Alllll the SUMMER feels wrapped up in a salad bowl ☀️ Nothing inspires me more than locally-grown produce and the beautiful organic lettuces & veggies we picked up this weekend from ...
Jun 15
Toasting to the weekend 🥂🥑💚 @loveonetoday @saboreaunohoy #AvocadoToast #HassAvocado #TheWatsonRanch
Jun 13
Who else needs a drink right about now? I could use a glass (or three). #WineMe #cheers
@jbrixwine #jbrix #jbrixwine
Jun 6
Last night I was putting our 6-year-old son Russell to bed & could tell something was bothering him. When I asked him what was wrong, he started to cry and blew me away with what he said: “Mom, ...
Jun 4
Creamy Avocado Garlic Mashed Potatoes - aka, one of the Best. Things. Ever. 🥑🥔🧄🤤 I cooked, styled & shot this dish recently as part of a recipe project for the Hass Avocado Board ...
May 31
Quarantine & C H I L L ☀️🍷 Cheers to the weekend & poolside vibes with @fieldrecordingswine’s chilled Sangiovese, FREDDO, from @brixandbarrel. #OnlineWineShop #Sangiovese ...
May 30
I heard it was #NationalBurgerDay today - for those who are of the meatless persuasion, this one’s for you 🥬🍔🍅🤤 #VeggieBurger #BurgerDay #EatYourVeggies
May 29
I love when a trip to the local farmstand inspires a dish! I still have Fava Bean fever & can’t get enough of them - so I bought some more today along with fresh strawberries, heirloom tomatoes,...
May 23
