In my job as a freelance food photographer, I am well aware that I have the enviably job of traveling around the Washington, DC area, photographing plates of gorgeous food. Often when I’m on assignment for the Washington Post or other editorial clients, I’m asked to take a portrait of the chef as well.

Chef portraits present a couple of unique challenges. Often when I arrive at the restaurant, it’s my first time there, so I quickly have to assess the light and decide where best to take the portrait. I approach these as portraits of artists, many who aren’t that keen to be in front of the camera. I work to make these as creative as possible, as I do with my couples in their wedding and wedding engagement photos. The chefs have often been photographed many times before so I am looking for new angles and interesting lighting. I’ve collected some of my favorite chef portraits and even more of them can be seen here.

So if you’re looking for advice on where to eat in DC that’s fun and new–get in touch, I’ve got you covered!

Handry Tjan, Executive Chef at Kobo, prepares the dishes for the winter vegan tasting menu in Chevy Chase, MD.

Chef Matt Lang at Texas Jack’s in Arlington, VA.

Ripple’s new executive chef Ryan Ratino in Washington, DC.

Chef and owner Marjorie Meek-Bradley carves brisket in the small kitchen in her new fast casual restaurant Smoked and Stacked in Washington, DC. 

Chef Fabio Trabocchi and Co-owner Maria Trabocchi at their new restaurant Sfoglina in Washington, DC. At right is All Purpose chef and owner Mike Friedman in a booth at his DC restaurant.

Masseria chef Nicholas Stefanelli in front of his restaurant in DC and (right) Johnny Fulchino with chef Ann Cashion at their new location for Johnny’s Half Shell in  Adams Morgan, DC.

Chef Michael Schlow prepares dishes for customers at the bar of his new restaurant Conosci photographed in Washington, DC.

Chefs Ainiwaer Abuduwayiti and Ekber Keyser in their restaurant Dolan Uyghur in Washington, DC.