Featured Food Photography – Vegan Christmas Cookies & Cocoa Cookbook

Few things evoke the holiday spirit like cookies fresh from the oven and a warm mug of cocoa. This featured food photography project showcases the festive, plant-based recipes from Vegan Christmas Cookies & Cocoa by Audrey Dunham, a joyful celebration of nostalgic treats reimagined for a modern, vegan lifestyle.

Photographed in Los Angeles, this project highlights the inviting textures, cozy warmth, and handcrafted details that make every recipe feel like a holiday favorite. From sparkling sugar cookies and soft gingerbread to rich, dairy-free hot cocoa topped with vegan whipped cream and seasonal spices, each image was styled to capture both the comfort and creativity behind Audrey’s recipes.

As a Los Angeles food photographer, my goal was to create imagery that feels elevated yet approachable - photos that spark appetite while reflecting the joy of baking and gathering. Using soft, natural light and intentional styling, I focused on color, texture, and composition to communicate the sensory warmth of the season. The result is a visual experience that blends artistry with authenticity, drawing viewers into the story behind each cookie and cup of cocoa.

These photographs were designed for cookbook layouts, marketing, and digital promotion, offering versatile imagery that supports both print and online campaigns. Beyond simply illustrating recipes, this project demonstrates how professional cookbook photography can bring a culinary vision to life - creating emotion, connection, and delight through every detail.

For cookbook authors, food brands, and publishers, this project shows the power of high-quality, story-driven imagery to elevate your recipes, engage your audience, and turn every page into an experience worth savoring.

Food photographer Vanessa Stump captures Audrey Dunham baking vegan Christmas cookies for the Vegan Christmas Cookies & Cocoa cookbook, styled with festive holiday decorations.
Overhead food photo of vegan chocolate brownies on parchment paper, created for a Christmas cookie cookbook by Los Angeles food photographer Vanessa Stump.
Vegan chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons styled in a snowy Christmas setting for a holiday cookie cookbook.
Vegan chocolate chip cookies cooling on a rack with festive Christmas decor, photographed for a holiday cookie cookbook by food photographer Vanessa Stump.
Kids hands reaching for vegan Christmas cookies with icing on a festive red holiday backdrop, photographed for a vegan cookie cookbook.
Vegan Christmas latte with decorated holiday cookies and faux snow, styled for a festive holiday cookbook photoshoot.
Vegan chocolate crinkle cookies styled with colorful Christmas ornaments for a festive cookbook photo spread.
Plate of vegan Christmas cookies styled beside a ceramic Christmas tree, photographed for a holiday cookie cookbook.
Two glasses of vegan peppermint hot cocoa topped with whipped cream, photographed with glittering red holiday décor.
Vegan decorated sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees, stars, and candy canes, photographed for a holiday baking cookbook.
Vegan gingerbread man cookies displayed in a snowy holiday setting, created for a festive Christmas cookie cookbook.
Vegan peanut butter cookies photographed with holiday ornaments and a bottle of dairy-free milk for Audrey Dunham’s Vegan Christmas Cookies & Cocoa cookbook.
Festive vegan chocolate crinkle cookies styled with colorful ornaments for a holiday dessert cookbook photoshoot.
Children in matching Christmas pajamas enjoying vegan holiday cookies and cocoa, photographed for a festive vegan cookie cookbook.
Freshly baked vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on a cooling rack with a holiday towel, created for a Christmas cookie cookbook.
Vegan Christmas cookie dough with holiday cookie cutters and rolling pin, photographed for Audrey Dunham’s Vegan Christmas Cookies & Cocoa cookbook.
Vegan oatmeal bar cookies on Christmas plates with pinecones and ornaments, photographed for a holiday cookie cookbook.
Red holiday mug of vegan cocoa with mini gingerbread cookies on a striped napkin, captured for a vegan Christmas cookbook.
Vegan Linzer cookies with heart-shaped centers dusted with powdered sugar, photographed for a Christmas cookie cookbook.
Vegan thumbprint cookies filled with berry jam and drizzled icing, created for a Christmas cookies and cocoa cookbook.
Cute vegan teddy bear cookies photographed on a winter plaid backdrop for Audrey Dunham’s Vegan Christmas Cookies & Cocoa cookbook.
Vegan homemade marshmallows styled on a wooden ornament board and dusted with powdered sugar for a holiday cookbook photoshoot.
Vegan red and white Christmas swirl sugar cookies styled with glitter ornaments for a festive holiday cookbook photoshoot.
Holiday cookie cutters shaped like stars, gingerbread men, and trees on a rustic baking surface for a vegan Christmas cookbook photoshoot.
Vegan Christmas sugar cookies topped with colorful gumdrops in a festive gift tin, created for a holiday cookbook by food photographer Vanessa Stump.
Vegan snowball cookies dusted with powdered sugar on a wooden plate surrounded by Christmas décor for a festive cookbook project.
Vegan snickerdoodle cookies tied with festive twine, styled for a holiday baking cookbook photoshoot.
Vegan hot cocoa in a red knit-pattern mug surrounded by Christmas ornaments, styled for a holiday cookbook photoshoot.
Vegan Christmas sprinkle cookies on a white plate with holiday ornaments, styled for festive cookbook photography.
Assorted vegan spritz cookies arranged in a Christmas wreath shape with a gold ribbon, photographed for a holiday cookbook.

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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