Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nancy Ingersoll. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nancy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The foundation of my work as a food and product photographer began at San Diego State University, where I took Graphic Arts and Photography classes as part of my Bachelor of Arts degree. At first, I just signed up for courses that sounded fun—and I’m so glad I did, because it gave me a wide creative toolkit instead of forcing me into a niche too early.

Early career experiences at a boutique branding firm and later as an in-house graphic designer taught me how to think about visuals strategically, understand logo placement, grasp negative space, and leave room for text. Those lessons still influence how I style and compose my photography for brands today so they actually work in marketing materials.

Since then, I’ve continued to grow through workshops, ongoing practice, and a lot of trial and error. Sometimes I’ll take on projects with products that are notoriously difficult to photograph. Those challenges push me to try new lighting setups or styling techniques, which ultimately expand my toolbox.
If I could have sped things up, I’d need a time machine, because it simply takes time to master both the technical and creative sides of photography. The biggest obstacle has always been time itself: there’s no shortcut for building experience.

Nancy, 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?

I’m Nancy Ingersoll, a San Diego-based food and product photographer helping both restaurants and CPG brands share their story through imagery. Whether it’s on-site restaurant photography, studio product photography for packaged goods, or recipe development paired with styled photos, I create content designed to spark cravings and build brand recognition. Every image is styled with intention so it can be used seamlessly across websites, social media, and marketing campaigns.

What sets me apart is that I’m not just a photographer—I’m also part storyteller and part strategist. Over the years I’ve expanded my services to include videography, social media management, newsletters, and website support. As one of my friends once described me, I’m a “full-service creative resource,” which inspired my Instagram handle, @TheCreativeResource.

Many business coaches encourage you to “niche down,” but I’ve learned it’s about finding the sweet spot which is focused enough to be seen as an expert, but not so narrow that your work feels repetitive. When I first started freelancing, I positioned myself as a full-service creative resource and took on all kinds of projects. Over time, I realized I needed to refine that. By leaning into my passion for food and my background in branding, I found the right balance in focusing on food photography for restaurants and CPG brands, while still offering additional creative services like recipe development, short-form video, and content strategy.

I enjoy helping food brands of all sizes—from local restaurants to national CPG companies—elevate their visuals so they can stand out in a crowded market. You can view my portfolio and service details at www.nancyingersoll.com.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Adobe Photoshop came out while I was in college, and I became so proficient in it that I was reluctant to switch over to Adobe Lightroom and start shooting in RAW. Looking back, I kick myself for not making the transition sooner. RAW files and Lightroom allow far more flexibility in post-processing and produce better image quality. That experience taught me the importance of embracing new tools early. Now, I make it a point to explore every new feature Adobe releases.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

At my core, I’m a foodie. I love that food connects people and cultures, and food photography lets me capture that experience visually. It can evoke emotions and memories for those who already know the dish, while sparking curiosity in those who don’t. Since we eat with our eyes first, my mission is to create high-quality food photography that doesn’t just look beautiful, but also helps brands achieve business results. My work is designed to capture attention, spark cravings, enhance brand appeal, and increase product recognition so that restaurants and CPG food brands can stand out in a competitive market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nancyingersoll.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreativeresource/

Image Credits

Nancy Ingersoll