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.
Saturday night cravings... 🤤🤤🤤 Somebody just told me that it was #NationalTaterTotDay on Feb 2nd. Can we just make it an official holiday all month, please? @chronictacos #TaterTotsRule ...
Feb 16
Love (and beautiful food from Mother Earth!) conquers all. 💜💕💜 Happy Valentine’s Day, friends. #Valentines2020 #PlayWithYourFood #EatYourVeggies
Feb 14
If Beef Wellington & Bubbly are your love language, then you won’t want to miss Chef Alejandra’s special Valentine’s menu tomorrow at @fivecrownsrestaurant ...
Feb 14
Love is in the air 💕🧡 #Repost @eatpuesto:
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“No better way to show love this Friday (or any day, really) then with tacos + margaritas + Chef Erik’s special Valentines Day ...
Feb 13
Mayan-influenced Monday vibes 🖤 #Repost @chaak_kitchen:
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M A Y A N / native spices of the Yucatan ~ include our house achiote, recado negro, dried chiles, pepitas, salsas and more....
Feb 11
Evidence that dreams truly DO come true 🙌🏻🍣✨ The all-you-can-eat hand-rolled sushi station aboard @thequeenmary at the Queen Mary Royal Sunday Brunch in Long Beach. This weekly Sunday ...
Feb 9
#NationalPotatoLoversDay calls for @stonebrewing’s Truffled Cheese Hassleback Potato, with just that extra dash of finishing salt for good measure ❤️🥔😋 @stonelibertystation @stoneescondido...
Feb 8
Next-level Cobb by @chefyg of @thewineryrestaurant #LaJolla 🙌🏻✨☀️#SeafoodCobbSalad #TheWineryLaJolla
Feb 6
These chilly February nights call for fireside feasting at @fivecrownsrestaurant 🔥🔥🔥 Chef Alejandra’s Half Jidori Chicken with
Portuguese sausage, heirloom rice & chicken jus. ...
Feb 5
Is it possible to be in love with a bowl of salmon? Because I am. 💞 @bigglorybayseafood King Salmon, triticale grain, housemade kimchi & lettuce dressing by Chef @kennyseliger at @henrysovd in ...
Feb 4
WHEW! Well guys, we did it. We made it through January 2020. I don’t know about you, but I’m calling a do-over! Here on The Watson Ranch we are declaring tonight as New Year’s Eve & Feb 1st ...
Jan 31
Did ya’ hear?! @bearcoastcoffee extended their kitchen hours & now serves breakfast seven days a week until 12:30pm! Yessssssssss. #BreakfastEveryday #BearCoastCoffee #sanclemente #danapoint
Jan 31
I had so much fun shooting this month’s @modernluxuryoc Food+Drink Lifestyle feature at @thedrakelaguna 🎶🍸 “A slice of the Big Apple is being served in Laguna Beach, and it’s a taste ...
Jan 25
I think it’s cocktail time - who’s with me? The Dolce Amaro by @licensedtopour at @bellobysandro ✨ #Cheers #BelloBySandro #OC
Jan 23
Chef @sopflei’s Hamachi crudo at @theblindpigyorbalinda 🙌🏻 #BlindPigOC #BlindPigYorbaLinda #hamachi
Jan 23
Feeling all the vibrant healthy ⚡️VIBES ⚡️at @eatdrinkvibe. #newportbeach #danapoint #vibeorganickitchen #oceats
Jan 17
Tonight’s Sunday Supper here on #TheWatsonRanch called for a bit of sunshine in a bowl! ☀️✨🌈 #EatTheRainbow
Jan 13
Time to squeeeeeeze every last drop out of Saturday night 🍋💦 @chaak_kitchen #cocktailtime #yucatan #mixology #chaak_kitchen
Jan 12
Friday night & this is how I ROLL... 🌀🐟🌀 #SushiRoll @cannery_newport #SushiBar #newportbeach
Jan 11
