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.
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
The new Caesar at @eatpuesto ✨✨ Little gem lettuce, Parmigiano-Reggiano, sourdough croutons and micro chives. #CraveWorthy #EatPuesto
Jan 8
Elote Asado by chef @sergi.ortega_ at @descansorestaurant ✨🌽
Grilled Sweet Corn, Chile Morita Aioli, Cotija Cheese & Chile Con Limon. I’ll take three bowls, please ...
Jan 6
It feels like a Beet Salad with Burrata kinda’ Friday night to me... whaddaya think? 💜 @fivecrownsrestaurant #CoronaDelMar
Jan 4
This January cover image for @sandiegomag that I styled & shot at @true_food_kitchen in @westfieldutc La Jolla with the amazing @jsydnie holds a special place in my heart for many, many reasons ...
Jan 2
As we bid a fond farewell to 2019, may your cup runneth over in 2020! 🍾✨🥂 Happy New Year, everyone!
I was so excited to see that our local store, @fallbrook_liquor, started carrying ...
Dec 31
2019, you’ve been a delicious year! Can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store ✨🥂#BestNine2019 #HappyNewYear
Dec 30
Wishing you all a happy Christmas full of mince pies, afternoon naps, and a heart full of love, gratitude & merriment! ✨🎄❤️ #MerryChristmas #TheWatsonRanch
Dec 25
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snowwww... ❄️🎶❄️ Wishing you all a magical Christmas Eve & hoping Santa brings you everything you wished for this year! (It’s not too late to add this...
Dec 25
Santa’s elves have been busy here on The Watson Ranch packing festive holiday cookie boxes today! ❄️ Gold-gilded Lemon Shortbread cookies, Toasted Almond Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies, Gluten-Free ...
Dec 23
@bellobysandro ✨Hamachi. Quince. Tuscan Furikake. Chile Oil. Fennel. #WinterMenu #Inverno #BelloBySandro @frank_deloach_cooks
Dec 18
THESE make Mondays much more tolerable, wouldn’t you agree? 😉❤️ Thank you to @lodgecastiron for sharing this photo of my homemade cinnamon rolls on their feed - for those who have asked for ...
Dec 16
