Life & Work with Nancy Ingersoll of Pacific Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Ingersoll a food photographer.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been a foodie. Growing up in a home where my mom’s menus were known as exotic, I was never afraid to try new things. I love how food is one way we can celebrate and share cultures. As a Southern California native, I didn’t venture too far for college — I went to San Diego State University and earned a degree in Industrial Arts, which is no longer offered. Within that major, students picked disciplines to specialize in, and I chose Photography, Graphic Arts, Computer-Assisted Design, and Construction Technology.

My first job out of college was with The Home Depot corporate office, where I put the latter two disciplines to work as a Store Planner designing new stores and remodels. I spent seven years there, during which time I became a mom of two, and they helped pay for half of my graduate studies, which led to my teaching credential. From there, I taught high school, focusing on photography. When my husband’s work took us to the San Francisco Bay Area, I stepped away from teaching to focus on freelancing as a photographer and graphic designer. I’ve always believed that my Graphic Arts background makes me a better Commercial Photographer because I naturally think about where text might go when composing photographs for ads and marketing. That same mindset shaped my approach when I started focusing on food photography in 2018.

The transition to freelance work was tough because I was used to interacting with more than 100 people every day, and the freelance world felt very different and lonely. It didn’t take long to realize I could find balance by teaching part-time and creating part-time. That mix was my sweet spot for a long time, until the pandemic changed things. As studios closed, more brands turned to freelancers, making gigs easier to find. Students’ attitudes and expectations shifted in ways that made the classroom more challenging, and that pushed me to lean more into my creative work.

I was able to move back to San Diego, which is now my forever home. Aside from being a photographer and content creator, I am also part storyteller and part strategist. I used to consider myself mostly a photographer, but I have added videography, website management, and newsletters to my services. I also handle all aspects of social media for a couple restaurants. All of that is why I’m The Creative Resource — bringing brands’ stories to life through custom photography.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The freelance road is rarely smooth. The ebbs and flows of work are not for everyone. As digital cameras and phones improved, more people decided to handle photos themselves or use someone already on staff to do it for less. I adapted by landing some consistent part-time contracts to keep things steady while keeping the other half of my schedule flexible for unique gigs that bring variety.

I say yes to challenges that push me to grow. I once took on shooting a product with a holographic label, which terrified me because I had never done that before, but I was able to manipulate the light to maintain the iridescent appearance that shifts with each tilt. I also shot a commercial smoke gun for its manufacturer in my studio. I remembered watching a bartender do plenty of trial and error to create the perfect smoke bubble for a photo I was hired to take, so I knew this one would take patience and experimentation too. Accepting projects like these keeps me learning and improving my work.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in food-centric content, which covers everything from food photography for restaurants and CPG brands to food adjacent products such as cookware and kitchen products. Some of the bigger brands I’ve shot for include POST, Bear Naked Granola (owned by Kellogg’s), and Breville for their small kitchen appliances. I’ve also worked with Michelin-recognized fine dining restaurants, but I especially enjoy helping smaller businesses share their personality and stand out in their community. For example, I have been doing the marketing, social media, and content creation for Pure Taco in Carlsbad since early 2024. Pure Taco is a single-location global fusion restaurant owned by the founder of Urban Plates and has trusted me to shape their visual story and online presence.
There’s a boutique donut shop in Pacific Beach called Copper Top Donuts that used one of my photos for their window wrap on Mission Boulevard. My favorite sushi spot in Point Loma, Chef Jun, uses my photography on their A-frame sign out on the sidewalk. It makes me smile every time I see my work out in the world.
Walking down the grocery store aisle, spotting brands that I have worked for, and realizing I could overload a grocery cart with the products I have shot makes me pretty proud of myself and makes me feel a little like a fangirl.
At the end of the day, I love that I can be a full-service creative resource for my clients, offering not just photos but also the strategy and support that help their brand stand out.

Pricing:

• Food photography is not as straightforward as portraits. Some products need more styling and prep, while others are ready to shoot right away. Because every brand has its own needs and goals, I build custom packages to fit a range of budgets.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nancyingersoll.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreativeresource/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecreativeresource
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyingersoll/

Image Credits
Nancy Ingersoll