Katheryn Moran is one of Bellingham’s most sought-after photographers, and even if you don’t know her name yet, you probably know her work. She’s a master at everything from portraits to product photography, but her newest passion is something entirely different: Food styling. No matter the subject, she approaches every photoshoot with her signature exuberance and flair.
“I would say that my style is very cheerful, bright, authentic, and engaging,” Moran says.
Moran’s interest in photography started in college, and she worked as a preschool teacher before diving headfirst into business ownership. After starting her business in 2010 and working as a full-time freelancer for more than seven years, she is now one of the most respected photographers in the area. Her connections in the wedding industry eventually led her to food photography, she spent several years producing quarterly magazines as a photographer with Haggen Food and Pharmacy.
“When I started working with Haggen, that’s when things really took off,” says Moran. “It was a really cool introduction to that market, which I’d never really considered before. As I started doing it more and more, I just fell in love with it.”
Now Moran’s ever-growing list of food photography clients includes Golden Glen Creamery, Fidalgo Fudge Co., Herb’s Cider, Slice of Heaven Baked Goods, and many more. Her photography and food styling services are available both on-site and in-studio.
For Moran, part of the fun is figuring out how to make every food item look drool-worthy– even those that don’t have the visual appeal of, say, a beautifully frosted cupcake. She says baked goods are simpler to photograph, but items such as soups and meats require a more artistic eye. In addition, photographing frozen foods requires a high level of precision.
“I got to do a really cool shoot for Lopez Island Creamery, and I photographed 20 or so different flavors of their ice cream here in my home studio,” Moran says. “So that was hilarious because I only have a regular sized freezer– and I had so much ice cream! It was really hard to get the timing down on how quickly things melt.”
Making food look yummy is an undeniably fun gig, but Moran says that the learning process is never-ending. To hone her skills, she enjoys taking virtual cooking classes through AirBnB and photographing the final dishes. She also spent the pandemic increasing her knowledge about artificial lighting.
Beyond this technical expertise, being a working photographer also requires a high level of organization. Luckily Moran is a natural businesswoman, and she prioritizes open and clear communication with her clients.
“I like my clients to feel like I am doing the best I can to hear them and create a vision together that everybody’s excited about,” Moran says. “I want people to feel, when they come to me, like I’m there to hear them and listen to what they need in their business– or in their life.”
Moran’s website and monthly newsletters provide tips and tricks for those looking to learn more about food styling. For an even more personal experience, Moran also offers one-on-one mentorship. Bellingham, katherynmoranphotography.com
