Meet Denise Brady, an award-winning food photographer based in Lowestoft who has turned her passion for food and photography into a thriving business: The Culinary Camera. Denise began her career over a decade ago as a wedding photographer and has since earned five awards, including Lux Life Magazine’s Food Photographer of the Year 2024 (East Anglia).
The lockdown was the push Denise needed to get her creative juices flowing. After spending 13 years as a successful wedding photographer, the COVID-19 pandemic brought her work, like many others, to an abrupt halt.
“It was a challenging time, but it pushed me to think outside the box and rediscover my passion. I was shooting weddings every weekend, sometimes two in a row.
My income stopped overnight, so I needed to find something to do within my photography to rebuild that. It was like starting all over again. I thought, “I like nice food; we always eat out—or had done until lockdown—so why not photograph it?”
Starting during lockdown was challenging, but it was what really sparked Denise’s creativity. “I took a couple of online courses initially, one with a woman who was a baker and another I found through the Guild of Photographers. It taught me the basics to get started. Switching from weddings to food wasn’t just a career change—it was a chance to do something I truly loved.”
During the pandemic, many restaurants, bakers, and food makers began to adapt, and Denise seized the opportunity. “I bought a few products online, took photos of them, and sent the images to the businesses.
They loved what I created! What started as a free offering has turned into a niche business. Her love for sweet things landed Denise her first job. “One company I collaborated with was based in Cambridge.
They made boxed brownies that you’d receive through your letterbox. I got a box from them, photographed it, and really, that’s where it all began.”
The Trickiest Dish to Photograph: Pastries!
Food photography isn’t without its challenges. According to Denise, some dishes are harder to capture than others—especially pastries. “Pastries are difficult because they tend to be brown. The more colour, the better,” she explains. “In that situation, I add colour to give that pop. A lot of people like that rustic look, but if you place brown on wood, it just looks flat. We have to elevate it—if they want a rustic board, we can add edible flowers to bring vibrancy. You don’t want to be looking at a croissant on a wooden board against a wooden background; it just doesn’t work.”
To get the perfect shot, it’s all about building a scene. For example, if you have a cake, it’s important to consider how and where you would eat that cake. “You would look at the plate it’s on, the fork you’d use, and if you’re having it with a cup of tea, what does the cup look like? Is there a teapot to go with that? What does the teapot look like? It is so much more than just the cake; emotion and storytelling come into it. Anyone who makes food wants to evoke an emotion.”
Family, Food, and Tradition
“My husband and I have four children between us, five grandchildren, and another on the way. Family has always been close to my heart and is an inspiration for my love of food. In addition to photographing food, I love to cook and bake myself,” she says.
This passion was passed onto Denise by her mother. “I grew up with a mother who loved to cook, and she always had us in the kitchen with her.”
With her mum being a nurse, Denise would also spend time with her grandparents and great-grandparents. “I was very lucky to have my great-grandma, and she was always cooking.
My earliest memories of food are from being in my great-grandma’s kitchen, with an old-fashioned blackened stove, watching her make pastry and sausage rolls. I would sit at the table helping her as a tiny girl.
The smells of that pastry cooking are so memorable—almost ironic now that pastries are probably one of the hardest foods to photograph,” Denise laughs.
Denise’s home life mirrors her childhood. Her kitchen is the heart of the house, where her children and grandchildren gather around the table for meals. “We cook together, just like I did with my mum and grandma. There’s something so special about that,” she says.
One of her family’s favourite recipes is her Victoria sponge cake. “Baking it always brings me back to those moments in my great-grandmother’s kitchen. Food has always meant family and togetherness, so I am not surprised that my line of work and profession involves food.”
The Life of a Food Photographer
What’s it like being a food photographer? Denise smiles as she recalls one of the most common questions she’s asked: “Do you get to eat the food afterward?” She explains, “Sometimes yes, but often no, because the food can sit around for ages while I capture the perfect shot. By the time I’m done, it’s not quite as appetising!”
When it comes to her favourite cuisine, Denise is quick to answer: “Italian—I love the flavours.” Pizza or pasta? “Definitely pasta.” Sweet or savoury? “I have a soft spot for both!”
Although Denise primarily works around Norfolk and Suffolk, her photography takes her to other locations as well. “Some of my favourite local spots to eat include The Ingham Swan, The White Lion, The Dukes Head at Somerleyton, The Bell at Carlton Colville, Rocker Hickman’s, and The Assembly House in Norwich. I recently visited The Fleece in Bungay, and it was fantastic. I’m constantly discovering new pubs and restaurants in my line of work.”
Food Trends and Visual Appeal
on Social Media
When it comes to food photography, presentation is everything. Over the years, plating styles have evolved, and Denise has seen it all. “Every trend has its place,” she explains. “We still see some people plating like it’s the 1980s, with big, extravagant designs, while others embrace minimalism and let the food speak for itself.”
In today’s world, where social media dominates, visual appeal is more important than ever. “Food needs to look fresh, vibrant, and enticing,” Denise says. The rise of Instagram has also made certain dishes, like burgers and loaded fries, particularly popular because they photograph beautifully from different angles.
Denise notes that the right angle can transform a dish. “Burgers, for instance, are best shot straight on to capture all the layers, while flat lays work well for grazing boards or shared meals.”
Although some trends, such as grazing boards, have started to fade, others like sustainable dining have taken their place, becoming focal points in both photography and plating. “There’s a big push for sustainability now,” Denise says, noting the increasing use of locally sourced, eco-friendly ingredients and zero-waste dishes.
Denise’s Favourite Shoots
Denise has had many rewarding experiences in her career. “One of my favourite shoots was probably at Well Well Well Bathhouse in Lowestoft, where we captured chef pictures, customers, and the overall atmosphere at a Casino themed night,” she shares. She has worked on a range of projects, from Japanese cuisine to pub food, but one she’s yet to tick off the list is Chinese food. “I love the creativity of this job,” she says. “It’s a fun process, and the more vibrant the shoot, the better!”
The Advantages of Food Photography
So, what are the benefits of investing in professional food photography? “It showcases food at its best, provides a bank of images for online use, and enhances the brand image against competitors. Capturing quality imagery is crucial for effective branding.”
Menu Changes – Think Ahead!
“Always think ahead! If businesses are planning menu changes, don’t wait until everything is finalised. Your photos need to be prepared in advance. For example, if you want a Christmas food shoot, it should be planned and shot in September. For big events like Easter or Diwali, aim for two to three months ahead.” For seasonal events like Valentine’s Day and Easter. “It’s essential to start thinking about shooting for these occasions now; they’ll be here before you know it!”
The Future of The Culinary Camera
As Denise continues to grow The Culinary Camera, her sights are set on expanding her business and taking on new challenges. She’s already thinking about branching into cookbook photography, inspired by her family’s traditional recipes. “I’d love to create a cookbook featuring my great-grandmother’s recipes and my photography,” she shares. “It would be a way to preserve those memories and pass them on to future generations.”
For now, though, Denise is content capturing the beauty of food and helping businesses showcase their offerings. “Every shoot is different,” she says. “But the goal is always the same: to make people hungry just by looking at the picture.”
For more information on The Culinary Camera, visit Denise’s Instagram and Facebook page at @theculinarycamera or check out the website at www.culinarycamera.co.uk
Victoria Mayo is a journalist and PR consultant passionate about making a positive change in the world through storytelling and community engagement.
