Hi. I’m Joanna.
Once upon a time, my parents asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. With no hesitation, I responded, “I’m going to be an ice cream lady.” No one ever really knew why I insisted on always scooping ice cream when it was time for dessert, but it was because I got great satisfaction serving up perfectly mounded scoops with impeccable (at least to me at the time) bark and skirt. The same pride was felt preparing my dad’s sandwiches for work. The perfect ruffled lettuce paired with 1/4”-thick cut tomatoes and the right amount of mayo from edge to edge made all the difference when it came to a simple ham and cheese sandwich. Taste, texture and look - it all had to make sense.
You see, being a first generation Asian American, there were limited activities. But one thing remained essential and accessible - food. It became my go to for expressing myself and feeding those I care about. I am fortunate to translate that joy into being a commercial food stylist. With a background in marketing and degree in food industry management from Arizona State University, I now spend my days styling foods and beverages for commercial advertisements, media and publications, both print and motion. If you dream it, I can make it. I got you.
(I am based in Phoenix, AZ, but travel to play with food anywhere.)
SELECT BRANDS
Peter Piper Pizza, Jersey Mike’s, P.F. Chang’s (International), Fiorucci, Bar-S Foods, KETO Foods, PetSmart, Cargill, Smart & Final, Kona Grill, Cost Plus Work Market, Oregano’s, Gila River Casino, Talking Stick Resort, Mellow Mushroom, Sprouts Farmers Market, Grand Canyon University, Clorox, Blimpie, Tilted Kilt, Real California Milk, Grimaldi’s, DIY Network, Isagenix, Fox Restaurant Concepts, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Rolling Hills Casino, Eegee’s
FUN FACTS ABOUT ME
1) You can find me competing on Tiny Food Fight, a show that aired on Food Network and Discovery+.
2) I have a corporate background in marketing, advertising and copywriting. Additionally, I was senior writer in my business attire days.
3) I dunked my first Oreo into milk in 2018. It’s really such a porous cookie - now I know. That same year, I had my first PB&J sandwich. It was a big year for me.
4) I have the ability to create a pizza cheese pull perfect for video without the need of glue. I know, people say it’s all fake ingredients in my line of work. It’s all real cheese with me, and I love that.
5) In my free time, I like shooting basketball, practicing my ukulele and baking a bunch because it’s very calming.
Commercial Food Stylist - Print + Motion
FAQs
WHERE DO YOU SEE A FOOD STYLIST’S WORK?
Fast food commercials, menus, cookbooks, magazines, films, etc., work of a professional stylist is everywhere - even on product packaging of foods and beverages you see in grocery stores.
WHY HIRE A FOOD STYLIST?
A commercial food stylist is knowledgeable in creating all types of foods and beverages imagined. Aside from making foods and beverages look visually appealing for print and motion, a commercial food stylist has a unique ability to extend the life of both by utilizing a combination of real and artificial ingredients.
WHAT IS A FOOD STYLIST?
A food stylist utilizes food and beverages to create visual content for various forms of media, including photographs, commercials and social platforms. The stylist works in tandem with a team of photographers, cinematographers and agencies to bring storyboards to life. Making food look appetizing and captivating, so consumers and/or audiences are drawn to purchase a specific product or enjoy a visual experience, is the primary goal of a food stylist.
WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED WHEN HIRED?
I am involved with preproduction to determine food needs and solutions for challenges that may arise during a photo or video shoot. In preparation, ingredients to create food and beverages are shopped and then organized to execute storyboards and shot lists efficiently. Additional specialized equipment and tools are provided (included in a kit fee) to create unique food and beverage scenes, such as smoke wafting from pizzas, artificial ice to withstand long durations under hot lights and heating elements to help foods appear fresh and hot for video.