What’s Happening…
The Trip of a Lifetime | An Alaskan Cruise with my Mom
Twenty-two years ago my mom & I said to each other, “You know what we should do one day? We should take a cruise to Alaska.” My mom, Dr. Linda Clinard, had been to 49 [...]
2017 Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Awards | London, England
I just returned from London, where I traveled—I am proud and a little stunned to report—to see two of my photographs receive top-three finishes in the 2017 Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Awards. [...]
Supporting the Locally-Grown Food Revolution | Orange Home Grown Urban Farm Dinner with Will Allen of Growing Power
Orange Home Grown is one of my favorite local organizations. Based in Orange, California, the nonprofit builds community through food—with farming demonstrations, a vibrant farmers market, education on sustainable agriculture & environmentally-friendly lifestyles, and great events. [...]
“Sea, Land & Air at Carlos Salgado’s Taco Maria” | A Photo Essay for ‘Life & Thyme’
Last Fall, I photographed a dinner series that celebrated Taco María’s third anniversary. I looked forward to the events for a couple of reasons: the joy of spending those evenings with Taco María’s chef and [...]
Going with the Grain | Emilie Coulson Salgado’s ‘Daughter’s Granola’
While I don’t take them on as often as I photograph chefs and restaurants, I do look forward to the occasional product photography shoot. If the company is one I believe in (it also doesn’t [...]
Jason + Hillary 1.11.17 | Quinn Family Maternity Shoot in Downtown Santa Ana
As a general rule, I often say that I don’t shoot family portraits, I don’t photograph weddings, and I don’t do maternity shoots. My speciality is photographing chefs, restaurants, and food. But for some of [...]
On the Lam with Chef Aron Habiger in Downtown Santa Ana
My friend Aron Habiger got into cooking professionally for some of the same reasons I got into photographing food—to mark the ritual of gathering loved ones around the table for a meal. Adored by diners [...]
Newtown Culinary | An Elevated Backyard BBQ Pop-Up in Orange, California
I love good BBQ. At our house, you can find my husband Tim out on the patio almost year round cooking on his grill. BBQ is taken very seriously in our home. So, when I was [...]
The Ecology Center’s 8th Annual Green Feast with Chef Alice Waters in San Juan Capistrano
It's rare in life to meet our heroes, let alone get to photograph them out in a field of tomatoes & sunflowers, break bread with them, and even sip a little wine with them. Which [...]
First Vines Planted | Watson Ranch Vineyards
Today our dreams became a reality. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of my husband, Tim, and the fantastic team he has been working with to install our vineyard from Fallbrook Winery, the first [...]
Andrew Murray Vineyards Winemaker Dinner at The Cellar San Clemente
On Monday, November 9th The Cellar San Clemente hosted an exclusive Winemaker Dinner featuring the wines of one of the Santa Ynez Valley's most well-respected and talented vintners, Andrew Murray. As it states on their web site, [...]
Emilie + Carlos 11.7.15 | A California Desert Wedding in Pioneertown
I don't photograph weddings. I swear. I really don't. But, if I'm going to make an exception to one of my 'cardinal rules of Anne Watson Photography' and shoot a wedding - just this once [...]
Terroir.0 Winemaker Dinner | Vesper Vineyards at Playground 2.0
As some of you may know, my husband Tim and I, along with our two-year-old son Russell, live on a small ranch in the rural community of Fallbrook in North San Diego County. When we [...]
Guest Chef Dinner Series Launches at Taco Maria
What happens when you get two of Orange County's cutting-edge chefs together under the same roof and put them to work in the same kitchen? It could be an absolute recipe for disaster ("Too many cooks [...]
Terroir.0 Winemaker Dinner | J.Brix Wines at Playground 2.0
Have you ever had a meal that was so good, you dreamt about it all again when you went to bed that night? I never had until last Thursday. Maybe it was my mind’s way [...]
Little Maria Pop-up Dinner: When France Meets Mexico | Little Sparrow + Taco Maria Chefs Join Forces
"Taco [tah-koh; Spanish tah-kaw]: noun, an often crisply-fried tortilla folded over and filled, as with seasoned chipped meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese." Somehow I knew when I signed-up to photograph the Little Maria pop-up dinner [...]
Downtown Santa Ana Farmers’ Market Celebrates 1st Anniversary with Benefit Dinner at Little Sparrow
The DTSA Farmers' Market celebrated its One-Year Anniversary this month. And when I found out my friends (who also happen to be phenomenal chefs) were going to be hosting a benefit dinner at Little Sparrow [...]
“Squeeze My Orange” with Cynthia Blass | My CSUF Titan Internet Radio Interview
Last Friday afternoon, March 27th I had the fun opportunity to be the featured guest on Cal State Fullerton's Titan Internet Radio program, "Squeeze My Orange," with host Cynthia Blass. As Cynthia describes it, "Squeeze [...]
“Suck the Head and Pinch the Tail” | A Backyard Louisiana Crawfish Boil at The Watson Ranch
Guest Blog Written by Tim Watson; Southern California-based Author, Motorcycle Rider, Farmer & Self-Proclaimed Lunatic (who also happens to be married to Anne Watson). Instagram/Twitter: @spero56 After many years of searching I believe I have [...]
Bodega de Edgar Winemaker Dinner at The Cellar San Clemente
The Cellar San Clemente is known for some of the best pop-up dinners in Orange County. Most recently, on Monday, January 26, 2015 they hosted an exclusive Winemaker Dinner featuring the wines of the young [...]
Youth Revisited: Where the Sidewalk Ends | A Shel Silverstein-Inspired Dinner by Chef Greg Daniels at Playground 2.0
As a child of the 1970's, I grew up in America reading the poems of Shel Silverstein and by the time I was 10-years-old I had practically worn a hole through my copy of Where [...]
Kicking-Off San Diego Beer Week | A Toast to Offbeat Brewing Company’s Second Anniversary
Guest Blog Written by Jaime Kautsky; Escondido-based Public Relations Guru, Beer Enthusiast & Superstar Mom. Twitter: @jlkautsky In the two years since Offbeat Brewing Company first rolled-up its doors in an unassuming North San Diego County industrial [...]
Porking Delicious PigOut 2.0 | A Taste of What’s to Come for PigOut 3.0
Pigging-out on gourmet pork. And LOTS of it. Drinking amazing craft cocktails. And LOTS of 'em. All while supporting a fantastic organization, Inspire Artistic Minds. What's not to love about that?! Last August, Bobby Navarro [...]
Top Chef Shirley Chung’s “Twenty Eight: Modern Chinese Cuisine” Menu Preview Pop-Up at Playground 2.0 in Santa Ana
Orange County is about to witness a new dimension in its burgeoning culinary scene when world-class Chef Shirley Chung opens the doors to her new Irvine-based restaurant, Twenty Eight: Modern Chinese Cuisine, later this Summer. [...]
OC Chefs’ Dinner #2 | A Culinary Collaboration at Little Sparrow Cafe in Downtown Santa Ana
Great culinary minds converged again on Monday, March 31st for the second-of-its-kind collaborative OC Chefs' Dinner - this time in the kitchen of the Little Sparrow Cafe in Downtown Santa Ana. The participating chefs for [...]
Orange County Chefs’ Dinner | A Collaborative Pop-Up at 320 Main in Seal Beach
I love when great minds come together. Especially when those great minds collaborate to create phenomenal food. And that's exactly what happened last Monday, February 10th at 320 Main in Seal Beach, CA when four [...]
Electric City Butcher “Pops Up” in Downtown Santa Ana
Downtown Santa Ana just keeps getting better & better. I've lived in Santa Ana for almost 10 years now (with a brief interlude to Rome, Italy for a couple of those), and I've loved watching [...]
DOWN ON THE FARM | A FARM-TO-TABLE SUNDAY SUPPER AT EDWARDS RANCH ESTATES WITH THE RANCH RESTAURANT
So far in my career as a food photographer I have been incredibly fortunate to photograph (and of course subsequently taste whenever possible!) some truly amazing cuisine. Two weekends ago I was invited to attend [...]
IT’S ALL ABOUT I.O. | PLAYGROUND 2.0 OPENS IN SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
One week ago tonight I ate the best meal of my life. The best. I know that sounds like I’m saying a lot. And, I am. In fact, I don't know that I could accurately [...]
LOCAL TASTES BETTER | FARM-TO-TABLE GOURMET DINNER PARTIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Continuing the theme of "amazing people I met & worked with in 2012" is the lovely & talented Chef Kerri of Local Tastes Better. Specializing in farm-to-table dinner parties using all locally-sourced, seasonal & sustainable [...]
CHEF KATHERINE EVENTS | SUSTAINABLE. LOCAL. ORGANIC. DELICIOUS.
2012 was a phenomenal year in many ways. I felt incredibly lucky to meet some amazing people who not only became new clients, but also new friends. One such amazing person is the lovely Chef [...]
“MAD MEAT MEN” | A PORK-TASTIC FEAST AT THE ANAIS+ CULINARY COLLECTIVE IN COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
Last Sunday evening at the Anais+ Culinary Collective in Costa Mesa, CA lucky diners were treated to a pork-themed meal of epic proportions at the 'Mad Meat Men' Farmers' Market Feast. Prepared entirely with fresh, [...]
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS | A TRADITIONAL MEXICAN CELEBRATION IN SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
Dia de los Muertos. "The Day of the Dead." A beautiful Mexican cultural celebration of family & friends who have passed on from this life into the next. With origins dating back as far as [...]
‘ART WITH FALL FOODS’ | THE NEW ANNE WATSON PHOTO GALLERY INSTALLATION AT THE OC MART MIX
Autumn has always been my favorite season. Kids are back to school, there's a crispness in the air as if God's turned up the A/C, and all of my favorite holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving & [...]
DA-LE RANCH | SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RANCHING AT ITS BEST
Tucked away (way, way, waaaay away!) in the hills near Lake Elsinore, California is a little gem of a ranch owned by two very lovely people who I have been fortunate enough to get to [...]
WINNERS ANNOUNCED! ANNE WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY / KOOZIE VIBES END-OF-SUMMER GIVEAWAY
If you live in Southern California, you'll be able to feel that Summer is FAR from over today! It's 103 degrees outside our house right now AND it's Friday. Which has my Koozie Vibes koozies [...]
ANAIS+RAYA CULINARY COLLECTIVE | NOW OFFERING PRIVATE DINNERS + MONDAY & WEDNESDAY FARMERS’ MARKET MEALS
This Summer here on the Anne Watson Photo Blog we shared with you a photographic feast of the new Anais+Raya Culinary Collective that was launched in July by Chef Raya Belna & Special Eats OC's [...]
ANNE WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY / KOOZIE VIBES END-OF-SUMMER GIVEAWAY!
Who doesn't love Koozies?! Few things in life say 'Summertime in America' to me more than a colorful koozie keeping my cold beer nicely tucked-away in insulated, icy bliss while I chill by the pool [...]
SUNDAY SUPPER | AN ITALIAN TRADITION BROUGHT TO LIFE IN OC BY LUCCA CAFE
Since living in Rome, Italy in 2008/2009, my husband Tim & I have found it difficult to go out for Italian meals here in Southern California. Not because the Italian food here isn't good. But, [...]
IN HOG HEAVEN | A PHOTO RECAP OF 100EATS100DAYS PIGOUT 1.0
Sunday, August 5th, 2012 was a glorious day of sunshine, craft cocktails & gourmet pork-centric feasting thanks to the first-ever PigOut 1.0 hosted by 100eats100days & Broadway by Amar Santana at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort [...]
COCKTAILS. PIG TAILS. PIG OUT. | A CELEBRATION OF SWINE AT PIGOUT 1.0 THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 5TH
"Cocktails. Pigtails. Pig Out." This Sunday, August 5th you are invited to join Bobby Navarro of 100eats100days and Chef Amar Santana & Mixologist Gabrielle Dion of Laguna's Broadway by Amar Santana when they host PigOut [...]
A TRANSITIONAL-RETRO KITCHEN IN SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA
Have you ever stepped into a kitchen that just makes you want to immediately tie-on an apron & start cooking? I recently had the opportunity of photographing such a kitchen in my favorite Southern California [...]
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL | THE ALL-NEW ANNE WATSON PHOTO GALLERY INSTALLATION AT THE OC MART MIX
While Food Photography is my passion, there are a number of other subjects that catch my eye through the lens of my camera. One of my favorites is Americana. Anything to do with this great [...]
INTRODUCING THE ANAIS+RAYA CULINARY COLLECTIVE AT PICNICS KITCHEN | SUNDAY FARMERS’ MARKET FEASTS
What could be a better way to kick-off your week than gathering with friends & family on a Sunday evening for a home-cooked meal? And not just any meal, but a farm-fresh dinner prepared in [...]
TAKING POPCORN TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL | ‘POPCORN CRAVINGS’ GOURMET POPCORN
To all my fellow popcorn-loving fans out there, this one's for you. Why do you love popcorn? For me, I suppose it's a nostalgia thing... Delicious, fresh, made-to-order gourmet popcorn from Orange County-based company, Popcorn [...]
OC MART MIX VENDORS UNITE! | INTRODUCING ‘THE WAFFLEGATO’
The OC Mart MIX in Costa Mesa has quickly become one of the hottest foodie spots in Orange County. With specialty culinary shops & restaurants that cover the gamut of everything a gastronome could hope [...]
PRIX FIXE GOURMET VEGAN DINNER BY SEABIRDS TRUCK & CHEF JOE YOUKHAN’S TASTING SPOON
Last night the geniuses from the kitchens of the Seabirds Truck and Chef Joe Youkhan's Tasting Spoon teamed-up to celebrate the season with 'A Taste of Spring' all-vegan, all-amazing, four-course prix fixe dinner at Nekter [...]
PORTOLA COFFEE LAB TEAMS-UP WITH CAKE MONKEY BAKERY | A MATCH MADE IN PASTRY HEAVEN
Change is a good thing. I've always believed this. Change keeps life interesting & keeps things moving forward. And, a perfect example of change bein' a good thing is Portola Coffee Lab's recent decision to [...]
2012 PINK LADY FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS | THE MALL GALLERIES | LONDON
2012 is a monumental year for one of my greatest passions - the art of Food Photography. In a previous Anne Watson Photography blog post you saw that I was absolutely thrilled to see this [...]
SLAPFISH GOES BRICK & MORTAR IN HUNTINGTON BEACH | MENU PREVIEW
Yes, I admit it - I am a Gourmet Food Truck-aholic. I am in awe of these guys & gals who manage to serve high-end restaurant-quality food out of a teeny-tiny kitchen-on-wheels outta' the side [...]
A WEDGE OF CHEESE HEAVEN | THE CHEESE SHOP AT THE MIX – COSTA MESA
1,139. The number of photos I shot of some of the most beautiful cheeses I've ever seen, smelled & tasted in my life at on of OC's hottest new culinary boutiques, The Cheese Shop at [...]
CATCHING RAINDROPS | THE BEAUTY OF NASTURTIUMS
Every time it rains here in Southern California, I eagerly await the storm's passing so I can venture out into our garden and explore. Rain is such a rarity in this arid desert climate, its [...]
SoCo FARMERS’ MARKET BRUNCH | TACO MARIA + CHEF JOE YOUKHAN’S TASTING SPOON
This past Saturday, March 10th, SoCo Farmers' Market in Costa Mesa played host to a first-of-its-kind gourmet five-course prix fixe brunch with two of OC's top Gourmet Food Truck chefs - Chef Carlos Salgado of [...]
THE CELLAR | RESTAURANT, WINE BAR & CHEESE SHOP – SAN CLEMENTE
I love good food. And good wine. And good cheese. So, I really loved the recent opportunity I had to shoot the latest menu for the ingenious Chef Erika Tucker at The Cellar Restaurant, Wine [...]
LAURA + DAVE | MATERNITY SESSION – OLD TOWNE ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
I love photography. It is my passion. And I absolutely love everything about being a photographer - particularly when I get to do a session like this one with Laura & Dave (and soon-to-arrive baby [...]
A STUDY OF LIGHT | A PHOTOGRAPHER’S OBSESSION
I admit it. I have an obsession. Perhaps even a borderline (OK, full-blown) addiction. I have a feeling my husband wouldn't be able to count the number of times he's heard me gasp & then [...]
MIZUKI RESTAURANT | WHERE JAPANESE CUISINE IS ART
As a food photographer, there are times when I find myself in the midst of an awe-inspiring shoot and feel the need to pinch myself to ensure I'm not dreaming. My most recent experience of [...]
MASTERING THE ART OF BBQ | RANCHO A GO-GO + DA-LE RANCH COOKING DEMO AT SoCo FARMERS’ MARKET
Anybody can grill. But, it takes talent and years of practice to truly master the art of Barbeque. And if there's one thing that Owner & Pitmaster Chris of the Rancho A Go-Go Barbeque gourmet [...]