A Sweet Session at Claudine’s Bakery in Encino

Earlier this year, I got to spend some time at Claudine’s Bakery in Encino, and it was such a fun session to photograph. From the second I walked in, the place smelled like heaven with fresh pastries coming out of the oven and people enjoying coffee and conversation. You can totally feel the community that Lea, the owner, has built here.

Lea asked me to photograph two new dishes and a drink they were introducing, along with some atmosphere photos of the space, both inside and outside. For the food, I used my Sony A7RV along with a Godox light tent to create clean, high-quality images on a white background, just the way they wanted. This setup allowed the dishes to really shine and gave the bakery images they could use for their website, menus, and marketing.

Working with Lea was an absolute pleasure. She has such a warm, welcoming energy and a real passion for what she does. That passion shows up everywhere you look, from the way the pastries are displayed to the way she interacts with her staff and guests.

I focused on the details that tell their story. The textures of the baked goods, the light spilling across the café tables, and, of course, Lea & her team in their element. Food photography is about more than making the food look good; it’s about capturing the personality and story behind it, and Claudine’s has plenty of both.

What I loved most was how the bakery feels both modern and homey at the same time. It gave me a lot to work with, from clean shots of the food to warm lifestyle moments that show how inviting the space is.

Sessions like this are exactly why I enjoy photographing local businesses. Great images can really help a brand share its story, connect with the community, and create content that works across websites, social media, and marketing campaigns.

If you’re in Encino, I can’t recommend Claudine’s enough. Stop by for brunch, grab a coffee, or pick up a s’mores muffin. You’ll see right away why it’s such a loved spot in the neighborhood.

And if you’re a local business owner looking for photography that shows off your space, products, and personality, I’d love to chat and help bring your vision to life.