Flavor starts long before the first bite.
It begins with the people, places, ingredients and processes that make a product worth caring about.
From winemakers and distillers to farmers, chefs and food producers, I photograph the people behind food and beverage brands to make their craftsmanship visible — capturing the hands at work, the environments that shape the product, and the details that reveal why it’s different.
Because when customers can see where something comes from and what goes into making it, they don’t just see a product. They understand its value.
Dewey Houck
10mm Seed Oyster
Jody Houck
Cultivating Community on the Gulf
Along Florida’s Panhandle, in the Apalachee Bay, Jody and Dewey Houck cultivate more than oysters at Cypress Point Oysters. As owners of their marina, they share their space with fellow farmers, fostering a tight-knit community that thrives on collaboration. Embodying the adage “a rising tide lifts all boats,” their hands-on approach—tending to oyster cages and supporting their neighbors—creates a vibrant, sustainable legacy. Their story, etched in salty tides and shared dreams, inspires all who witness it.
Apalachee Aces | Adrian Morris
Pelican Oyster Co. | Cainnon Gregg
Blue Crab
Winemakers of Michigan
Michigan’s thriving wine region is an unsung gem. Often overshadowed by California’s renowned vineyards, Michigan’s wines aren’t chasing bold Cabernet status. Instead, they embody the essence of their terroir—rooted in the region’s unique soil, climate, and spirit. Like Motown’s soulful rhythms born in Detroit or grunge’s raw energy from Seattle, Michigan’s wines are authentic expressions of place. We can draw inspiration from other regions, but staying true to our roots is what defines us.
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
Wyncroft Estates | Jim Lester
Wyncroft Vines
Kasey Wierzba | Shady Lane Cellars
Bud Break
Kasey Wierzba - Shady Lane Cellars
Mari Vineyards | Sean O'Keefe
Sean O'Keefe - Mari Vineyards
Lake Michigan Vintners | Michael Moyer
Michael Moyer - Lake Michigan Vintners
Bonobo Winery | Cornel Olivier
Sparkling Rosé
Distillers
From Detroit to the heart of Bourbon Country, a portrait of America’s craft distillers—the barrels they raise and the makers behind them.
Peerless Distilling Co. | Louisville, KY
Neeley Family Distillery | Sparta, KY
Jeff Pennington | Pennington Distilling Co. | Nashville, TN
Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. | Franklin County, KY
Rifino Valentine | Valentine Distilling Co. | Ferndale, MI
Old World Truffles
Owner Aleks Acovski supplies Metro Detroit’s top chefs with some of the finest truffles available. His roots trace back to a family of truffle hunters in Europe, carrying forward generations of tradition. While I wasn’t able to travel overseas to witness the hunt firsthand, I’ve been honored to capture the raw beauty of these underground treasures—and the culinary creations that showcase their remarkable flavor. Both black and white truffles bring their own distinct character, a taste of the old world brought to life on modern plates.
