Why Food Photography Is My Favourite Gig


Food photography is my absolute favourite thing to shoot. Nothing against (most) people, but food doesn’t blink, talk back, or ask for “just one more photograph with Great Aunt Betty.” It just sits there looking delicious—and then I sneak bits when no-one is watching. Honestly, I would have gone into this food photography shoot for the free food alone - actually that's not true!

Hand sprinkles seasoning over a meatball served atop spaghetti in tomato sauce with red wine glass in background.

Welcome to Cressence – Crescent Head’s Hidden Gem

My latest shoot took me to Cressence, a small restaurant on the Mid North Coast in the coastal gem of Crescent Head. This place is the ultimate foodie surprise—by day, it’s all about casual eats, old-school vibes, and milkshakes that taste like childhood. By night, it turns into a fine dining experience.


Meet Chef David – Scotland’s Gift to Crescent Head

Cressence has just welcomed their new head chef, David, who’s flown in from Scotland—and fair warning, I may or may not have developed a mild crush - on his food and his beautiful wife Billie. Welcome down under guys I honestly wish your family all the best and hope you enjoy Australia as much as my Scottish hubby does!


Chef in black uniform smiling while sitting in dimly lit restaurant with hanging pendant lights.
A chef in black uniform smiles while holding a kitchen knife in a commercial kitchen setting.

Burgers Worth Writing Home (or a Blog) About

Let’s talk about the hamburgers. These are not your average soggy takeaway burgers. We’re talking thick, juicy beef patties made on-site, with a delicious secret house-made sauce, generous portions of salad and even a slaw on the side. I may have sampled a hamburger mid-shoot (for quality control, obviously), and then went back for a full one post-shoot. Did I need lunch, no...but why look a gift horse in the mouth!

A juicy cheeseburger with toppings served on a black plate with crispy golden french fries on a dark wooden surface.

Ice Cream, Milkshakes, and Nostalgia


There’s also a full ice creamery setup (hello, childhood nostalgia), classic fish and chips served with fresh garden salad and proper tartare sauce, and the kind of old-school milkshakes that make you forget what year it is—in the best way.

A tall milkshake glass filled with red syrup and ice cream, with ice cream cones displayed in the background.
Fish and chips dinner plate served with fresh salad, tartar sauce and white wine on wooden table.

When the Sun Sets, the Fine Dining Rises

Cressence shifts gears at night into elegant, creative fine dining, the kind of plates you expect in a swanky city hotel, not a beachside spot. The dishes are refined, beautifully plated, and packed with flavour—and I got to photograph every mouthwatering detail.

Hands holding utensils over a plated fish dish with vibrant green sauce on a white plate against a wooden table surface.

A Dream Shoot for This Port Macquarie Food Photographer


As a Port Macquarie-based food photographer, shoots like this are my dream. Great food, genuine people, and plates that were born to be in front of the camera (and then devoured shortly after). Cheers to food that looks good and tastes even better!


If you're a local business ready to elevate your socials or website and get people through the door, book a shoot with me at Kristen Shaw Photography and lets showcase your restaurant, bar, cafe, food cart in the best possible light.


Kris x

Kristen Shaw Photography – Port Macquarie Food Photographer

A slice of pate or terrine served with red cabbage garnish on a white plate in dramatic lighting.
Creamy hummus served on a black plate topped with pomegranate seeds, feta cheese and a side of pita bread.
Four similar views of seared fish with pesto sauce plated on dark ceramic dishes with dramatic side lighting.
A cheeseburger with crispy french fries served on black plates against a dark background in sequence.
Grilled steak with broccolini and roasted tomatoes served alongside french fries and red wine on a rustic wooden table.
Someone pouring creamy peppercorn sauce over grilled steak with french fries and broccoli garnish on white plates.
A layered dessert with red berry compote, whipped cream, and granola served in a glass jar against a dark background.
Chef in gray uniform poses casually against dark rustic wall with ambient lighting.
Three golden pastries arranged on white oval plate against dark wooden surface.
Oil being dripped onto crispy golden fish and chips with tartar sauce and lemon wedges on a black plate.
Plated dinner with pasta and meat being garnished, served alongside red wine in an elegant restaurant setting.
Hand sprinkling grated parmesan cheese over fresh spaghetti pasta with red sauce on a dark blue plate.
Hot chocolate sauce being poured over mint ice cream in a white ceramic bowl on a wooden surface.
A brass service bell sits next to a stack of order tickets at a restaurant counter.
A glass of sparkling wine sits beside an elegant wine bottle on a wooden table with warm lighting.