I play with food for a living, and take pictures of it.

Ryan Aaron smiling and pointing at the camera while holding a can on a vintage trolley car at night

Hi, I’m Ryan, a food and beverage photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I love what I do, and I think it shows. Nothing makes me happier than a chef or bartender walking me through a dish and why it matters to them. I’m there to listen, get excited about your ideas, and turn them into images that tell your story and last long after the shoot.

I work with restaurants, bars, chefs, and brands who want pictures that look as good as the food tastes.

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Let's Talk
Ryan Aaron in sunglasses tipping a cup of fries into his mouth in front of a brick wall and neon sign

The person behind the camera

How I got here

Photography started as a hobby while I was burned out in corporate sales. I shot random things and helped locals with small jobs, and slowly built a portfolio. I never planned to be a food photographer.

Then COVID hit, a marketing company reached out, and I was suddenly shooting for ghost kitchens. It was a happy accident. I had a knack for it, got curious, upgraded my gear, and kept going until here we are.

Ryan Aaron standing on a bench photographing plated dishes in a bright restaurant with a softbox beside him

Music on, shoes off. I’m known for it, because I’ll climb all over your furniture to find the right angle, and I always leave it just as I found it.

Behind the fun, I come prepared, keep the day running smoothly, and make sure you leave with exactly the images you need.

On Set

Ryan Aaron talking with two chefs in a restaurant kitchen during a Colors of Atlanta shoot

Discover Atlanta gave me the creative freedom to run around and tell my own story.

Mine was about how diverse Atlanta is, and how its food and culture bring together people who would never normally end up at the same table. That’s the idea I carry into every shoot.

Featured in Colors of Atlanta

Read the story

Who I'd love to work with

If you love what you do, I’d love to help you show it. I shoot for high-end restaurants, gritty dive bars, speakeasies, and commercial and lifestyle brands. I’m based in the Bay Area, and I’ll gladly travel for the right project.

Let's Talk