You know how much I love photographing weddings, but I also find something irresistible about documenting food being prepared.

I have a particular fascination with photographing seafood, and these beautiful tiger prawns immediately caught my attention.

Arun and I decided to try something slightly unexpected: cooking paella at home in the Netherlands. The idea was inspired by Spanish Week at Lidl. I always enjoy discovering the ingredients featured during their international food weeks.

Here is the recipe we followed, documented step by step.

More than a recipe

What interested me most was not only the finished paella, but everything that happened before it reached the table.

This is also how I approach documentary photography: I look for the small actions that help us understand what the experience felt like.

The final photograph may show a beautiful meal, but the complete story also lives in the hands preparing the ingredients, the steam rising from the pan, and the moment everyone gathers around the table.

Photographing your process

For restaurants, chefs and other creative businesses, showing the process can help people connect with the work behind the finished product. These photographs can become part of a website, social media content, press material or a broader visual library for the business.

If you would like your work, process, or event documented naturally, contact me to discuss your project.

Joanna Pantigoso

Business documentaries and Vacation Photographer in Amsterdam