There is an abundance of food photography these days, as a quick flip through many Instagram streams will show. And with good reason. We encounter food at least three times a day, and following the trail of food and drink can offer a peek at daily life. From a morning coffee at a neighborhood café, to a shared lunch break with colleagues, to a dinner gathering at home with family.

My fascination with food photography grew out of my years of traveling and living abroad. I encountered new flavors and ingredients as I explored other cultures, but I also sought to replicate the familiar smells and tastes of home in my own kitchen. Food photography is more than simply taking a photo of food. It’s telling a story about people and place, ingredients and seasons, and the passion for the creative process of cooking and making. Like food itself, food photography has the power to evoke memory and bring comfort.

I'm over on the Momentist blog sharing 5 tips for better food photography. Read more about utilizing light, setting the scene, shooting wide, shooting close, and editing. And check out their lenses, which takes mobile photography to a whole new level.