Best New Restaurants in America for Thrillist.com

Skills: Creative Direction, Photography, Lighting, Production, Retouching, Freelancer Management

As Senior Photographer for Thrillist’s annual Best New Restaurants in America, I led the visual direction and photographed restaurants across the country, creating imagery that highlighted the craft, creativity, and culture of modern dining. This project marked the rollout of Thrillist’s refreshed food photography style—focusing on interaction, action, and joyful experience, all brought to life with bright, sunny lighting crafted using flash.

In addition to photographing key locations myself, I directed a team of freelance photographers in other cities, providing creative guidance to ensure a cohesive look and feel across the entire series. The final imagery celebrated what makes these restaurants essential: vibrant food, welcoming spaces, and memorable moments shared at the table.