Capturing Process and Tradition in Festive Food Photography

For this project, rather than focusing solely on the finished dish I wanted to explore festive storytelling through process- capturing the quieter, more thoughtful moments of food preparation that lead up to Christmas. The making of mince pies felt like a natural choice to focus on, as they’re so rooted in tradition and repetition, and closely tied to memories of family kitchens at this time of year.

I chose Mrs Beeton’s recipe to make the mince pies from and also to feature in this shoot as it’s a firm favourite with my family, and the cookery book I’ve included belonged to my grandma. The mincemeat was also tailored to my own family’s preferences, with fresh cranberries and plenty of citrus with the addition of oranges. As the mincemeat is made well in advance, I photographed these early stages in softer, winter light, intentionally removed from overt Christmas cues to reflect that sense of anticipation and slow preparation.

As the process moved closer to Christmas, the styling subtly shifts. When assembling the mince pies, I introduced a small number of festive props to signal the transition into the season. The colour palette remains cohesive throughout, built around soft greens and muted pinks, and allows the reds and oranges of the fruit to stand out naturally. I think this consistency really helps the series feel calm and connected, while still letting the ingredients take visual focus.

Detail shots also play an important role in the storytelling, from the texture of the pastry being rolled to the filling being spooned into the cases. I staged and shot each image to invite the viewer to imagine themselves making these pies. The final photographs show the mince pies being eaten (not just presented) and using familiar, homely props to communicate a sense of comfort and connection around the table.

These images also incorporate candlelight and fairy lights to create a gentle festive atmosphere, including these elements help bring warmth to the scene and signal that the preparation has led to a shared moment. The series as a whole is about creating a world that feels lived in and emotionally resonant, and is designed not to evoke perfecion or be prescriptive.

Process-led imagery can absolutely work for brands even if their ultimate goal is to market a final product. The step-by-step approach lends itself naturally to recipe blogs, cookbooks and seasonal content for food brands. By focusing on narrative and atmosphere as much as the food or product itself, the images evoke warmth, familiarity and the quiet comfort of food traditions during the festive season.