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 don’t know about you guys, but my body feels better just for LOOKING at these veggies! 🥬🥦🥕🌽🥒💚 I am so inspired by the gorgeous produce grown by my dear friends at ...
Jan 16

January is #NationalHotTeaMonth and it has me craving a cup of small-batch loose leaf black tea from my friend @thejhall.brand's new tea company, @angryblacktea, which imports a variety of fine, ...
Jan 15

It's cold outside, and I don't know about you but I'm craving a big bowl of warm comfort food today 😍. Indulging in comfort food doesn't mean needing to sacrifice nutrition, ...
Jan 12

Sending you all a bit of citrusy sunshine on this January Monday morning. ☀️🍋⠀
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Did you know? Limes are a good source of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, B, C & ...
Jan 11

In honor of #NationalSoupMonth, I'd love to share my recipe with you for Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Soup! It includes a touch of black pepper & turmeric to give it an anti-inflammatory punch. I ...
Jan 9

All good chefs know that everything in a kitchen has its place. At 18 months old… that place was on the floor.😅😁
#FBF #That70sKitchen
Jan 8

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” – Mahatma Gandhi.⠀
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I am blown away daily by the beautiful rainbow of flavors & textures that mother nature...
Jan 5

Putting a twist on #NationalSpaghettiDay today with my favorite low-carb noodle alternative - fresh zucchini noodles, aka zoodles! 😆⠀
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Spiralized zucchini (also known as courgette in ...
Jan 4

Happy New Year, friends! 🥳⠀
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I love the feeling of a fresh start. And whether you're continuing on a path of healthy eating, kicking-off a New Year's resolution to eat ...
Jan 1

Amidst the chaos of 2020 I have found many blessings - one of which has been having the time to explore my abilities as a home-chef more. And it makes me smile to see that my #TopNine most-liked posts...
Dec 30

My favorite kind of snowstorm involves LOTS of cotija ❄️🧀 @solcocina⠀
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#SoCalLiving #TacosAreLife #CaliforniaSnowstorm ⠀
Dec 29

Looking for an elegant meal-for-two that's fit for a stay-at-home New Year's Eve celebration this week? 😍🥳 Then check out this beautiful recipe for Whisknladle’s Mussels by ...
Dec 28

Wishing you & yours a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at The Watson Ranch! 🎄🎅🏼🤶🏻
Dec 25

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! 🎶 🎵 ❄️⠀
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@motor_bites makes all of my focaccia wishes come true this Christmas (and every day!). The most authentic, delicious focaccia ...
Dec 24

One of the hidden blessings of 2020? 🤔 Cocktails To-Go! 🍸🍹
In this month's "Best Restaurants: Takeout Edition" issue you'll find recommendations for the best ...
Dec 22

I had so much fun getting to style & shoot December's "Best Restaurants: Takeout Edition" cover feature story for @sandiegomag. Since food-to-go has been the reality of 2020, in ...
Dec 21

I've been fortunate enough in my life to experience a handful of meals that were so delicious, boundary-expanding & soul-stirring that they've brought me to tears -- and Chef ...
Dec 19

Continuing my support of local restaurants, today I'd like to highlight a hidden family-owned gem that deserves all of the love we can give them and then some -- @SupatrasThai in Yorba Linda, ...
Dec 18
