Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Tick Stop

"Tick-tock... or perhaps, tick-stop? In the fast-paced world of CPG marketing and seasonal campaigns, time often feels like our most precious and fleeting resource. That's why we're here to tell you: you can create more time! Imagine a vibrant sand timer, its rich red grains flowing steadily, then magically resetting at your command

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Witches and Ghosts

October just got spooky-delicious! 👻 We channeled our inner witches this month to conjure up a terrifyingly tasty feast, all captured through the lens. Our shoot featured wickedly detailed marshmallow ghosts, a shimmering witches' spell table laden with captivating treats, and a few truly bizarre culinary creations like sugar "potions", sleek black candies, and a hauntingly good bowl of spaghetti topped with chocolate Nutella and candy eyeballs. To complete the coven, two stylish witches made a final, dramatic cheers over the bubbling cauldron with vibrant blood orange martinis, perfectly capturing the eerie, festive spirit of the season.

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Original Gangster BBQ

My immersion in The Culinary Institute of America's (CIA) Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program from 2019 to 2021 was a transformative experience, culminating in a master's degree in Food Business. My studies were strategically focused on branding, sustainability, and CPG innovation, the very drivers of today's dynamic food landscape.

It was during this rigorous journey that I forged connections with visionary peers like Chef DeAndre Weaver, MPS. We recently collaborated on developing the branded identity and shot list for his new, incredibly delicious vegan BBQ sauce. Chef Weaver's core message, "there is room for everyone at the table," powerfully speaks to the sauce's versatility, appealing to a broad spectrum of palates from plant-based devotees to beef lovers. With a dedicated following already established in the D.C. area, Chef Weaver is now poised for a successful product launch!

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Baked to Success

After shooting all of the prep shots in the studio kitchen, our creative focus shifted to the studio, where we created two distinct worlds: first, a clean, modern top-down view that highlighted the precise layers and golden crusts, ideal for a professional catalog. Then, we transported the pastries to a dreamy, angled set evoking a Parisian cafe, complete with warm, natural light to show off the flaky texture and tempting golden brown finish—the perfect mood for their hotel and café clients looking for that irresistible 'baked in-house' feeling.

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Steak Restaurant Success

I recently got to shoot new menu photos for The Gambling Cowboy Chophouse & Saloon, a true gem in Southern California’s wine country. The project began with a wonderful chance encounter at a local farm stand with the son of the woman-chef who's run the place for over 15 years. After seeing my photos of fresh produce and the dishes I'd made, he invited me to be their photographer, and I jumped at the chance. With a reputation for excellent food and a staff that feels like family, the restaurant is a genuine Temecula institution. For the shoot, we aimed for a cinematic and authentic look, having the staff themselves act as hand models to bring the dishes to life, which made every shot feel personal and full of the restaurant's unique spirit.

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

New Bottle and Art

Before I shoot any product I study it in natural light to understand its features and the way it interacts with ambient light. Sure, the high-powered strobes in my studio render beautiful colors and take away shadows but every product has a story. This beautiful bottle that has hand-made silk screened artwork iwth a cylindrical shape and dark color to protect the olive oil deserved its own story!

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Canine Feast

Maw and Paw is dedicated to quality, offering human-grade dog food, supplements, and delicious bone broth. We feel fortunate to be a part of their journey in bringing such exceptional products to dogs and owners everywhere.

Here are a few of our favorite images from this exciting project!

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Verb Hydration

Verb is a delicious hydration drink mix that is full on flavor and void of sugar or food color. The models loved it. We shot a huge variety on a tight timely but the creativity went to the moon!

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

CPG Photography Glossary of Image Styles

I created a visual-ready comparison for brands that clearly explains Beauty Images vs. Lifestyle Images vs. UGC-Style Content. They work together to define, polish, and market your brand across many channels.

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Fall In Love With Butters

I recently photographed a fall campaign for a client’s pumpkin and apple butter, highlighting their packaging and the rich flavor cues that define the brand. Alongside clean product imagery, we crafted a lifestyle story with models savoring the spreads on toast, capturing how naturally they fit into everyday moments. To bring extra energy and depth, we layered in video—playing with hard light and close-up motion to showcase the luscious, spiced butter in action.

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Dirt and Worms Meet Kling: Dessert in Motion

A bowl of chocolate ice cream topped with gummy worms and cookies, placed on a yellow table with scattered gummy worms around it, with a yellow spoon inserted into the ice cream. The bowl is filled with chocolate ice cream, and various colorful gummy worms are scattered both inside and around the bowl. The scene is set against a vibrant pink background with a white striped wall on the left side. The composition centers the bowl of ice cream, with the scattered gummy worms creating a playful and chaotic effect. The style is photorealistic, capturing the vivid colors and textures of the candies and ice cream. Other detail additions include the bright and cheerful atmosphere, with the gummy worms adding a fun and whimsical touch to the scene.

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Pumpkin Cold Brew

Pumpkin spiced cold brew coffee is the perfect way to bring cozy autumn flavors into a refreshing, chilled drink. Start with a smooth cold brew concentrate—its naturally low acidity pairs beautifully with warm spices. Blend in a simple pumpkin spice syrup made from real pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a touch of vanilla for depth. A splash of milk or cream balances the bold coffee and spices, creating a creamy, aromatic sip that feels like fall in a glass. Top it off with a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon for a coffeehouse-worthy finish you can enjoy right at home. Would you like me to also make this into a short recipe-style version for your blog readers?

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Holiday Props Are Ready

The prop room is now staged for fall and holidays. Here are the classic options but of course we are always happy to stay on brand!

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Shakshuka

Here is how to make Shakshuka, a North African Tunisian dish with spicy broth, stewed fresh vegetables, and poached eggs.

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Whole Foods Launch

GoodGood, our favorite jam client, is launching distribution into Whole Foods. Here is a stop motion created for kiosks with a collaborative lunchbox using EggLife wraps. Yummy! We loved the PBJ flavors rolled up in EggLife’s high protein wraps!

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

New Arrivals & A Cinematic Debut!

It's always a good day when we get to expand our creative toolkit! We've been busy collecting an exciting array of new props, surfaces, sets, and lighting styles, and the possibilities are already sparking some fun ideas.

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Healthy Cell: A Sweet Sip Towards Better Health

This project involved a new and innovative shoot, resulting in playful images that are perfect for a variety of channels. We're thrilled to showcase how Healthy Cell is making healthy living a more delicious and convenient reality.

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Farm Stand to Table

This summer in Southern California’s wine country has been full of delicious surprises, especially the local farm stands neighbors keep posting about on Nextdoor. I visited a few and came home with a vibrant haul: summer squash, micro-basil, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, and juicy fruit. The best part? Stepping into the kitchen with this mystery basket and letting color, flavor, and creativity lead the way. These two dishes stole the show with my guests, so I thought you would love them, too. Enjoy!

Read More
Judy Doherty Judy Doherty

Who Loves Olives?

We had an absolute blast partnering with Lindsay Olives to whip up some incredible new recipes, videos, and GIFs! Our top pick has to be this show-stopping chimichurri sauce, made with their delicious olives, quality EVOO, fresh herbs, and perfect seasonings. Trust us, it's the secret ingredient that'll make your grilled chicken truly unforgettable!

Read More