Conceptual still life photo of glassware and liquids by Amy Carson.
Conceptual still life photo of glassware and liquids by Amy Carson.

Amy Carson is a commercial and editorial photographer based in San Diego, working throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles and Orange County. Available for travel elsewhere. Specialties include lifestyle, food & beverage, product still life, hospitality, and travel.

Self-portrait of commercial lifestyle travel photographer Amy Carson.

CONTACT

(619) 880-7037

amy@amycarsonphotography.com

My pursuit—in both life and work—has always been to find magic amid the mundane

For nearly two decades I’ve been photographing the intersection between food, culture, and lifestyle, across several continents. In an age when machines can create technically perfect images, my focus remains the same: to make work that feels meaningful and organic—to capture the fleeting moments, unexpected details, and subtle shifts in perspective that transform ordinary experiences into something magical.

In my commercial work I strive to create unique, memorable stories that align seamlessly with a brand's narrative. My photography and motion work invite viewers to feel and explore something new--whether it's a food, a product, an experience, or a place, the goal is to ignite curiosity and inspire a sense of wonder.

Years of budget solo travel and living in places where little English was spoken trained me to be flexible, decisive, and resourceful—Qualities that have proven incredibly useful on-set and when managing creative teams. It also taught me the value of community, diversity, and generosity towards others--Lessons that continue to shape my world view and the stories I choose to tell.


Select Clients

Pepsi | JPMorganChase | Pecorino Romano PDO | Boochcraft | Adagio Teas | California English x Chef Richard Blais | Magnolia Kitchen | Bighorn Golf Club| Longfellow Real Estate Partners | GLOW Kitchen

Publications

The Los Angeles Times | Westways | Eater | San Diego Magazine | The Infatuation | Palm Springs Life | San Diego Business Journal


Fun Facts

  • My first job out of college was as a writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune, where I honed my editorial storytelling skills. By night, I explored my artistic inclinations through photography, and I’ve been in love with the medium ever since.

  • My first photography commission was the art for a friend's rap album (still available on Ebay!), and I have the CD sitting on my desk at all times to remind me of how I started.

  • I'm a dual citizen of the US and Italy, and I'm fluent in Italian. I lived in Rome and Catania from 2008-2012.

  • In 2013 I spent 3 months traveling around northeast of Brazil. Following that I lived in Rio de Janeiro for a year and a half. I fell in love with the music, culture, and food there, and I tell everyone that Brazilian cuisine is one of the most underrated.

  • I still love to travel every chance that I get. I enjoy hiking and spending time in nature just as much as I appreciate the cultural experiences that cities have to offer.

BTS photo from a hospitality shoot with a large crew for a celebrity chef in Southern California.
Album art inside a CD from 2007, cinematic storytelling shot by lifestyle photographer Amy Carson in San Diego.

BTS of a shoot for Chef Richard Blais’ restaurant California English.

My first ever photography commission: the album art for Leif Kolt’s Spiders and Widows, 2007. Shot in my house on a borrowed DSLR with zero post-production.

Personal photo of photographer Amy Carson after an editorial assignment in Brazil.

Hammocking in Costa Rica, 2013.