Blue Foods as Medicine Cookbook Photography | Food + Planet

When photography meets purpose, imagery becomes a catalyst for change. As a Los Angeles–based cookbook photographer specializing in health-focused culinary storytelling, I had the privilege of photographing Blue Foods as Medicine - an innovative cookbook created by Food + Planet.

This project shines a spotlight on the nutritional and environmental benefits of sustainable aquatic foods, including sea vegetables, bivalves, and ocean-based proteins. The photography was intentionally crafted to make these ingredients feel vibrant, approachable, and relevant—bridging the gap between science-based nutrition and everyday cooking.

The creative direction focused on visual clarity and accessibility. Ingredient flatlays were styled to clearly communicate components and inspire confidence for home cooks, health professionals, and educators. Each finished dish was photographed with bright, natural light and clean, modern composition - showcasing the versatility and beauty of blue foods while supporting Food + Planet’s mission to empower one million health professionals to promote sustainable food systems worldwide.

As a Los Angeles food photographer, I specialize in projects where food, education, and sustainability intersect. This gallery reflects my commitment to creating intentional visuals that not only celebrate the ingredients but also communicate impact and purpose.

For publishers, nonprofits, and culinary brands looking to connect visual storytelling with sustainability, Blue Foods as Medicine demonstrates how strategic, high-quality food photography can amplify a message, inspire action, and make complex ideas feel tangible and inspiring.

Because when imagery supports education and purpose, it does more than illustrate a recipe - it helps shift how we see food, health, and the planet.

Overhead flat lay of fresh shellfish including mussels, clams, oysters, and scallops arranged on ice — sustainable blue foods ingredient photography for a cookbook project photographed in Los Angeles.
Ingredient flatlay for Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook featuring spinach, mushrooms, oysters garlic, herbs, and dairy, photographed by Los Angeles cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump.
Baked spinach and mushroom casserole photographed for Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook by Los Angeles food and cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump.
Ingredient flatlay with spinach, mussels, onion, garlic, ginger, and rice noodles for Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook photographed by Los Angeles cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump.
Seaweed and mussel soup served in bowls with chopsticks, photographed for Blue Foods as Medicine sustainable seafood cookbook in Los Angeles.
Ingredient flat lay of spaghetti, spinach, Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and herbs for a sustainable seafood pasta recipe — photographed by Los Angeles cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump for the Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook.
Finished seafood pasta with fresh herbs, tomatoes, and white wine sauce, styled for the Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook — vibrant Los Angeles cookbook photography highlighting sustainable ocean ingredients.
Overhead ingredient flat lay of colorful bell peppers, onion, sweet potato, herbs, lemon, broth, and aromatics for a sustainable seafood pasta recipe — photographed by Los Angeles cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump for Food + Planet.
Hearty seafood pasta dish with vegetables, herbs, and broth served in a white Dutch oven — cookbook recipe photography highlighting nutritious blue foods for sustainable eating, captured in Los Angeles.
Ingredient flat lay featuring seaweed pesto, lemon, herbs, garlic, olive oil, nutritional yeast, penne pasta, and grains for a sustainable sea greens pasta recipe — photographed by Los Angeles cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump for Food + Planet.
Finished bowl of seaweed pesto pasta topped with grated cheese and herbs, styled with textured linens — vibrant Los Angeles cookbook photography for nutrition-forward, sustainable recipe development.
Ingredient flat lay with wakame seaweed, shredded carrots, cucumber, edamame, sesame seeds, and rice vinegar for a Japanese-inspired sea vegetable salad — photographed by Los Angeles cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump for Food + Planet.
Finished wakame seaweed salad with carrots, edamame, cucumber, and sesame seeds, captured in bright natural light — healthy recipe photography showcasing sustainable ocean ingredients.
Ingredient flat lay with eggs, sliced nori seaweed, green onions, soy sauce, and olive oil for a Japanese-inspired sea vegetable omelette — photographed by Los Angeles cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump.
Finished nori and scallion omelette served with crusty bread and avocado, styled with bright natural light — healthy recipe photography showcasing sea vegetables and sustainable proteins.
Artful flat lay of dried sea vegetables including kombu, nori, wakame, and red seaweed displayed with small bowls — editorial cookbook photography highlighting ocean-based ingredients and sustainable nutrition.
Colorful bowl-arranged seafood and vegetable ingredients including scallops, avocado, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro for sustainable cookbook photography in Los Angeles.
Scallop ceviche with tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, and tortilla chips styled for sustainable seafood cookbook photography in Los Angeles.
Overhead layout of edamame, rice, seaweed, mushrooms, carrots, sauces, and seasonings styled for sustainable seafood cookbook photography in Los Angeles.
Japanese rice onigiri with scallops and vegetables styled on blue background for Los Angeles cookbook and recipe photography.
Overhead ingredient layout featuring canned mussels, lemon, cilantro, aromatic spices, and garlic for an ocean-inspired blue foods recipe — professional cookbook photography in Los Angeles for Food + Planet.
Avocado toast topped with sea vegetables and fresh herbs, photographed for the Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook to showcase nutritious blue foods — professional Los Angeles cookbook and food photography.
Ingredient layout featuring salmon, clams, mussels, fennel, tomatoes, wine, spices, and fresh herbs for an ocean-forward blue foods stew — professional cookbook photography in Los Angeles showcasing sustainable aquatic ingredients.
Vibrant seafood stew with mussels, clams, and shrimp in a tomato and fennel broth, styled with rustic bread and wine — premium Los Angeles cookbook photography for Food + Planet’s Blue Foods as Medicine project.
Overhead ingredient layout of canned tuna, chickpeas, celery, nori, spices, lemon, yogurt, and tahini for a high-protein ocean-inspired chickpea tuna salad — professional cookbook photography in Los Angeles.
High-protein tuna and chickpea salad served in fresh lettuce cups with lemon and herbs — wellness cookbook recipe photography showcasing sustainable seafood and blue foods.
Overhead layout of dried seaweed, kombu sheets, anchovies, soy sauce, garlic, and mirin for a mineral-rich broth base — sustainable blue foods ingredient photography created in Los Angeles.
Bowl of warming seaweed soup served with rice and kimchi toppings - vibrant Los Angeles cookbook photography for wellness and sustainable ingredient education.
Overhead layout of daikon radish, kombu, tofu sheets, ginger, star anise, soy sauce, and herbs for a nourishing plant-forward broth — sustainable cookbook photography in Los Angeles.
Bowl of simmered daikon, tofu, and seaweed in a savory broth, presented with chopsticks and soft linen — modern Los Angeles cookbook photography for wellness-focused ocean-based recipes.
Curated seafood and sea vegetable platter featuring clams, mussels, scallops, oysters, and assorted seaweeds on ice — professional Los Angeles cookbook photography for sustainable blue foods recipes.
Overhead ingredient layout with collard greens, scallops, parmesan, spices, olive oil, and herbs for Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook photography in LA.
Seared scallops over creamy cauliflower purée with green herb sauce for Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook photographed in Los Angeles.
Colorful ingredient spread featuring shrimp, clams, mussels, noodles, snap peas, napa cabbage, peppers, and sauces for Los Angeles cookbook photography.
Seafood yakisoba with shrimp, clams, mussels, and vegetables photographed by Los Angeles cookbook photographer for Blue Foods as Medicine.
Colorful ingredient flat lay of clams, rice, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and fresh cilantro for a nutrient-rich aquatic foods dish — photographed for the Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook by Los Angeles food photographer Vanessa Stump.
Cooked clams served in a cast iron skillet with herb rice on the side, representing sustainable aquatic foods for the Blue Foods as Medicine cookbook — photographed in Los Angeles by cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump.
Vibrant ingredient flat lay with pizza dough, greens, chickpeas, olives, calamari, mussels, cheese, citrus, and herbs for a Mediterranean-inspired seafood flatbread recipe — expertly photographed for a Los Angeles cookbook project.
Finished Mediterranean-style seafood flatbread topped with chickpeas, olives, calamari, mussels, greens, and herbs — professionally styled cookbook photography showcasing sustainable ocean ingredients.
Ingredient flat lay with blueberries, banana, lime, coconut milk, and dried sea vegetables for a nutrient-dense blue foods smoothie — healthy cookbook photography highlighting sustainable aquatic ingredients.
Two tall glasses of blueberry sea vegetable smoothies styled with modern props — captured by Los Angeles cookbook photographer Vanessa Stump for a sustainable nutrition cookbook.
Colorful ingredient board featuring nori sheets, mango, avocado, cashews, rice, green onion, sesame seeds, and dipping sauces for a nutrient-dense plant-forward nori wrap recipe — Los Angeles food and cookbook photography.
Hand assembling fresh mango and vegetable nori wraps with creamy dipping sauce on a wooden board — modern cookbook photography celebrating blue foods and sustainable plant-forward cooking.
Colorful ingredient board featuring white beans, tomatoes, kombu, curry spices, garlic, leek, and cilantro for a protein-rich sustainable blue foods curry — professional Los Angeles cookbook photography.
Vibrant bowl of tomato white bean curry with brown rice and pickled onions, captured in clean, colorful editorial style — healthy, affordable, sustainable recipe photography in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles-based food, branding, and portrait photographer creating timeless, natural images that feel authentic and elevated. I specialize in capturing layered visuals for creative businesses, restaurants, and personal brands - images that tell your story and support your growth across web, social, and print.

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