We recently connected with Mica McCook and have shared our conversation below.

Mica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

My hero, like many others, is my mother. My mom, who only had an 8th-grade education, worked in fast food for most of her working life (she’s since retired now, thank goodness) and struggled to raise 4 kids all by herself. But let me tell you, my mom’s a fighter. A survivor. And she instilled in my brothers and me the importance of education. She pushed us to finish school and get our degrees.

The lessons I’ve learned from my mom are invaluable, but the biggest lesson my mom taught me is that grit is what you need to succeed in life. Grit makes you an unstoppable force. My mom showed me that anything is possible with enough determination and hard work. Her unwavering spirit and relentless pursuit of success have influenced me greatly in my job as a food photographer.

I have instilled that same grit she raised me with into my work, valuing education above everything and taking each failure as a lesson. I am constantly striving to improve and grow in my craft, just as my mother did in her own life.

Her influence has also taught me to never give up, no matter how difficult a challenge may seem. I approach each project with a can-do attitude, knowing that I can achieve anything I set my mind to with enough determination and hard work.

In short, my mother’s influence has shaped me into the person and the food photographer I am today. I am grateful for her unwavering love and support and for the lessons she has taught me that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Mica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello everyone, I’m Mica McCook, a food photographer driven by a desire to visually showcase the delicious world of food. I got into this industry through a shared love of food and photography with a friend, who started a food blog with me called Let’s Taco Bout It Blog. Together, we created full-course meals based on book characters from books we loved and established ourselves as a one-of-a-kind literature-inspired food blog. I transitioned into commercial photography when a local food magazine hired me to cover a story they featured. That was the first time I considered commercial food photography as a career path.

I offer my services to food brands, restaurants, and cookbook publishers, bringing their dishes to life through my lens. What sets me apart is my ability to create bold, timeless food photography inspired by classic art. My clients often remark that they can’t tell if my photos are real or paintings on canvas, a testament to my commitment to capturing the essence of each dish in an artful manner.

I am proud of my decision to leave my day job and pursue a freelance career in food photography. Clients can expect a curious and determined approach and a commitment to making a lasting impression with each project. My goal is to visually tell the story of each dish and showcase its unique qualities through my lens. So whether you’re a food brand, restaurant, or cookbook publisher, I am here to bring your culinary creations to life visually stunningly.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Networking has been key in growing my clientele. I put in extra effort to cultivate my relationships with my clients. I inquire about their families and make a point to remember significant dates in their lives. Building trust and genuine connections is what sets the foundation for a successful business and loyal client base.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the limiting belief that “I can’t do it.” This belief held me back for far too long and prevented me from pursuing my dreams and aspirations. Instead, I now embrace the idea that we can achieve anything we set our minds to, as long as we dream big and are willing to work hard for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.austinfoodguide.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinfoodguide/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micamccook/