Why I Take Food Photos When I Travel.
It’s almost instinctive. When I arrive somewhere new, or even when I return to a familiar place, one of the first things I do is look for something to eat. Whether trying a local dish for the first time or revisiting a spot that holds a good memory, food always becomes part of how I begin to experience a place.
Food connects us. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate a good meal. For most people, food is more than fuel. It’s tied to memory, comfort, identity, and sometimes healing. So, it makes sense that food photos have become a regular part of how I document my travels.
Memories
Good Company & Good Food!
A photo of a meal tells a story. It says something about where I was, what the atmosphere felt like, and what I found worth noticing. The light, the colors, the textures on the plate, even the worn edge of the table beneath it — it all becomes part of the memory. You might not be able to taste it, but a well-timed photo gives you a sense of place, which can be just as powerful.
I’ve found that food is also one of the clearest ways to understand a culture. Take the Philippines, for example. Pork plays a significant role in Filipino cuisine, and that’s not by accident. The Spanish colonized the country for more than 300 years, and their influence shaped not just religion and language but also the food. Dishes like lechon, menudo, and longganisa blend Spanish techniques with local ingredients, creating something uniquely Filipino that’s woven into both daily meals and celebrations.
Lechon (roast pig) dealers in Talisay, Cebu.
These days, cultural food boundaries are more fluid than ever. You can find delicious Filipino food in the United States, authentic Italian pizza in Manila, or a surprisingly great burger in Tokyo. I even saw a story about a place in India called California Burrito. I haven’t been yet, but it’s absolutely on my list. What used to be unusual is now becoming part of everyday life, and honestly, it’s beautiful. Food reminds us how connected we really are.
But back to why I photograph food. It’s not just about what I eat. It’s about how it was served, looked, and made me feel in that moment. It’s part art, part habit, and part memory. I treat food photography the same way I treat portraits. I slow down, notice the details, and try to capture the story.
Not every meal is memorable, but some stay with you long after you leave. The photos I take help me hold onto those moments. Sometimes, the photo reminds me of a flavor. Other times, it brings back a quiet hour, a conversation, or the way the light fell through a window while I sat alone with a cup of coffee and no real plans.
This is why I take photos of food when I travel. Because sometimes, a plate of food is more than just a meal. It becomes part of the journey.
