Kris Kirkham Photography

13/06/2026

Heat, herbs and crunch — my favourite combo. These Banh mi strike the perfect balance of all three. Juicy meatballs, fresh coriander, ribbons of carrot, plenty of chilli and a generous drizzle of sriracha, all tucked into a crisp baguette. Messy to eat, but absolutely worth it.

11/06/2026

10/06/2026

Beetroot. Nature's golden, purple and candy-stripped rainbow. As it comes into season, it's the perfect excuse to enjoy them raw — proof that seasonal eating can be as beautiful as it is delicious.

08/06/2026

Seasonal layers for breakfasr — asparagus & egg, ricotta & vine tomatoes, beetroot hummus, avocado & pomegranate, yoghurt & figs.

27/05/2026

Slow-cooked Bombay aloo — where gentle heat draws out deep spice and the potatoes hold all the comfort. Shot for The Curry Guy's Slow Cooker Book.

Photography: Kris Kirkham
Food Styling: Rosie Reynolds
Props: Faye Wears
Assistant: Phoebe Pearson

25/05/2026

Golden, laced with citrus and just a little indulgent.

Crêpes finished with Grand Marnier—where Cognac warmth meets bright bitter orange—soaking into every fold. Topped with fresh lemon zest and melting ice cream, it’s that perfect balance of sharp, sweet and rich.

Simple ingredients, elevated in a moment. Shot for Sainsburys.

20/05/2026

Low and slow until it gives in.

Lamb Raan, cooked down to that perfect point where it clings to the bone but pulls away without a fight. Proper comfort, built on time and patience.

Shot for The Curry Guy’s slow cooker book.

Photography: Kris Kirkham
Food Styling: Rosie Reynolds
Props: Faye Wears
Assistant: Phoebe Pearson

18/05/2026

Soft light, slow morning, and a slice that doesn’t rush you.

Shot for Waitrose with Denstu—keeping things simple and tactile. Warm banana bread, generously buttered while it’s still just melting into the crumb, paired with a proper coffee. It’s the kind of setup that relies on restraint: texture over tricks, light doing the heavy lifting, and letting the food feel lived-in rather than styled to perfection.

Sometimes the brief is just to make it feel real—and that’s where the magic sits.

As always, thank you to the amazing team:
Emily Gussin, Lydia McPherson, Kerry Wakefield and Federica Cerniglia

15/05/2026

On being quiet.

From December to March, things were quiet in the studio.

Being quiet can be scary. When the money stops coming in, the natural instinct is to freak out. But I’ve been doing this since 2008, and I’ve learned that the worst thing you can do is hide your head under a blanket and hope for the best.

I didn’t sell the gear. I didn't panic. Instead, I used the time to make sure I wasn't standing still.

In this industry, if you stop pushing, you become antiquated. I’ve spent the last few months letting the creative juices flow—testing new ideas, collaborating, and figuring out how AI fits into my workflow for future advertising and packaging projects.

The work always comes back. The goal is to make sure you’ve evolved by the time it does.

Read more about how I handle the downtime on the blog: https://www.kriskirkhamphoto.com/the-value-of-quiet/

A special thank you to everyone who collaborated with me to make these images:

Keiron George
Megan Thomson
Rob Perry
KathyKordalis
DavinaPerkins
Zoe Warde Aldam
Stevie Taylor Catherine

12/05/2026

The mockup vs. the moment
I’ve started using AI as a digital sketchbook.

I’m not using it for the final result—just to get ideas on the table. For this test, I generated quick mockups to help get everyone on the same page at the beginning of the creative process. It’s a fast way to explore angles, the colour palette, and the rough composition.

It acts as a visual shorthand. It meant Stevie (Food), Catherine (Props), and I had a clear starting point from the off. Less back-and-forth, more time to focus on the actual shot.

But as I mentioned in my last post, the mockup is just the map. It isn’t the destination.

The real work happens once we’re in the studio, actually shaping the light and working with the ingredients. You can see the difference in the final images—there is a weight and a texture to the real thing that a prompt simply can’t replicate.

It’s not replacing the craft. It’s just helping us get to the right decisions faster.

Curious how others are using it in the planning stages.

Food Stylist: Stevie Taylor
Prop Stylist: Catherine Momcilovic
Assistant: Zoe Warde-Aldam

30/04/2026

Burmese-inspired pork shoulder steaks, marinated in warming spices and cooked until perfectly tender.

Rich, fragrant and full of depth—ideal for an easy, flavour-packed dinner.

Shot for Sainsbury's Magazine
Food Styling Kathy Kordalis
Props Tony Hutchinson
Direction Elizabeth Baird
Assisting Yelena Aleksic

27/04/2026

Golden, crispy potatoes with warming spices, finished with a soft-yolk egg.
A comforting dish that delivers on both flavour and texture.

Photographs for Waitrose recipe cards.

Food Styling Amy Stephenson
Props Tabitha Hawkins
Direction Kay Emery
Assistant Sam Milton

24/04/2026

A little unconventional, a lot indulgent.

Testing with the amazing team!
Food Styling Kathy Kordalis
Props Davina Perkins
Assistant Zoe Warde Aldam

21/04/2026

Liquid gold, poured generously.

A simple tomato, transformed with silky olive oil and a hit of sunshine. Sometimes the best ingredients speak for themselves.

Testing with the amazing team!
Food Styling Kathy Kordalis
Props Davina Perkins
Assistant Zoe Warde Aldam

18/04/2026

A little fizz, a little fire...This ginger beer Paloma brings the perfect balance of sweet and sharp flavour notes that packs a punch. Perfect for slow afternoons and long evenings.

Thanks to the amazing team!
Photographed for Sainsbury's Magazine
Food Styling Kathy Kordalis
Props Tony Hutchinson
Art Direction Elizabeth Baird
Assistant Yelena Aleksic

15/04/2026

A quiet but recurring character: hands 🤲

Never the hero, but often the emotional anchor—adding movement, story, and a sense of something just beyond the frame. It’s a balance I’m always chasing: keeping the food front and centre, while letting small, human gestures bring the image to life.

When it works, it’s those subtle moments—a reach, a tear, a swirl—that make a frame feel alive, honest, and truly appetising. Check out the full blog on my website: https://www.kriskirkhamphoto.com/the-human-touch-why-hands-matter-in-food-photography/⁠
⁠
1. Butternut squash loaf with maple frosting⁠
2. Itsu soup Dumplings⁠
3. Polenta mushroom balsamic⁠
⁠
Recipes for Waitrose ⁠
Food Styling Rosie Reynolds
Props Tabitha Hawkins
Direction Kay Emery
Assistants Rob Perry and Yelena Aleksic

13/04/2026

Golden, flaky layers topped with tender asparagus and creamy goat’s cheese

This croissant tart is your go-to for effortless spring hosting—light, savoury, and just the right amount of indulgent. Whether you’re planning a laid-back brunch or a simple midweek dinner, it’s a recipe that works for any occasion.

Thanks to the amazing team! Lauren Hoffman, Robert Merrett, Kay Emery, Emily Foster, Aine Pretty-McGarth, Amy Stephenson, Rosie Alsop

16/03/2026

A table full of colour and spice for Good Housekeeping: honey harissa tear-n-share babka, sweet potato & feta hash, and stuffed atayef.

Photography: me!
Food styling:
Props: .farquhar
Direction:
Lighting assistant: .jpg

12/03/2026

Slow cooking, done properly.

Jeera chicken, salmon molee and a railway lamb curry — rich, layered spices and the kind of depth that only comes from letting things take their time.

Comforting, familiar flavours with a gentle nudge of heat — made for slow days and second helpings. Shot for The Curry Guy's Slow Cooker Cook Book.

Photography: me!
Food Styling: Rosie Reynolds
Props: Faye Wears
Assistant: Phoebe Pearson

03/03/2026

Baking with a little extra sweetness.
Banana pancakes with whipped honey butter drizzle, a battenbee cake with its signature checked sponge, and bee-linzer cookies finished with iced centres.

Comforting, familiar flavours with a playful twist — perfect for weekends and made for sharing.

Recipes for Sainsbury's
Food Styling: Bianca Nice
Art Director: Elizabeth Baird
Assistant: Zoe Warde Aldam

27/02/2026

Snack time, sorted.

Golden savoury rose swirls with a touch of honey and classic cheddar scones fresh from the oven. Quick to bake and even quicker to disappear — ideal for after-school bites or a relaxed weekend spread.

BakeAndShare SimpleCooking

26/01/2026

Cold days call for dishes that hug back. Think bowls of Marsala beef and chestnut ragù followed by a Szechuan sticky toffee pudding, warming, rich and quietly indulgent. Comfort food, turned all the way up.

Recipes for
Food styling:
Props:
Food director:
Assistant:

14/01/2026

So good to finally share a few frames from Chinese Kitchen — Jeremy Pang’s brilliant new book celebrating simple techniques and bold, comforting Chinese dishes made for home cooking.

From steamed scallops to Beijing Zhi Zi Kao Rou, salt & pepper squid, crispy chilli beef, Singapore noodles and crisp, golden prawns — every dish is rooted in technique, balance and joy around the table.

An absolute pleasure photographing this one. A book that belongs open on the kitchen counter, not tucked away on a shelf. Whether you’re planning a show stopper dinner party, cooking for friends, or pulling together something midweek, there's a recipe for every occasion.

Photography by me for Chinese Kitchen by 📕✨
Food Styling: Meg Jansz
Props: Morag Farquhar
Assisting: Phoebe Pearson
Assistant Director: Nicky Collings

08/01/2026

Looking back through the archive and pulling together a few photographs that shaped my year. Projects, personal work and moments in between — all part of an ongoing exploration of light, form and atmosphere.
Thankful for the collaborations and looking ahead to what’s next!

1. Mortadela Ciabatta
2 & 3. Salmon skewers with Winter Slaw and Kiwi Parfait
4. Knickerboker
5. Cheese Filled Koftas
6. Minty Broad Bean and Pea Dip
7. Egg Noodles with Duck and Plum Sauce
8. Sartorial Christmas - Fish
9. Shallot and Sage Cranberry Stuffing
10. Mince Pie Breakfast Buns

08/01/2026

Looking back through the archive and pulling together a few photographs that shaped my year. Projects, personal work and moments in between — all part of an ongoing exploration of light, form and atmosphere.
Thankful for the collaborations and looking ahead to what’s next!

1. Knickerbocker
2&3. Salmon skewers with Winter Slaw and Kiwi Parfait
4. Sartorial Christmas - Fish
5. Cheese Filled Koftas
6. Minty Broad Bean and Pea Dip
7. Mortadela Ciabatta
8 Egg Noodles with Duck and Plum Sauce
9. Shallot and Sage Cranberry Stuffing
10. Mince Pie Breakfast Buns

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