Photographing Artisan Chocolate in the PNW: Showcasing Moonstruck & Fresco
As a Seattle food photographer who spends most days surrounded by vibrant ingredients and beautifully crafted products, nothing excites me quite like photographing artisan chocolate. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re lucky to have incredible makers creating small-batch chocolate with intention, artistry, and wildly different approaches to flavor and design.
For this shoot, I picked up two of my favorite local brands — Moonstruck Chocolate (Portland, OR) and Fresco Artisan Chocolate (Lynden, WA) — from a local shop, and created two totally different visual stories to highlight what makes their branding and packaging so unique.
Fresco: Bold, Minimal, and Structured
Fresco’s branding is rooted in clean lines, simple color accents, and a focus on origin. Their bars feel scientific, intentional, and pure — so I leaned into that with a dramatic, high-contrast lighting setup and a deep red backdrop that made the chocolate look strong and refined.
Sharp shadows, crisp textures, and broken pieces of chocolate falling through the frame create a sense of precision and craft — exactly what Fresco is known for. This style of photography works perfectly for brands that want to emphasize quality, minimalism, and a premium feel.
Moonstruck: Warm, Dreamy, and Whimsical
Moonstruck, on the other hand, has storytelling built right into its packaging. There’s a playful, almost magical quality to their design — so I styled their shoot with soft pink textures, warm highlights, and cozy props like espresso beans and ceramic cups.
The goal was to create a dreamy, approachable scene that invites viewers into the experience of enjoying chocolate, not just buying it. This kind of setup is perfect for brands that want to inspire emotion, lifestyle connection, and warmth.
Why Style & Lighting Matter So Much in Product Photography
Chocolate is one of the trickiest products to photograph — it melts fast, fingerprints instantly, and shows every highlight. That’s why having a photographer who understands light, texture, and brand storytelling makes all the difference.
Great product photography isn’t just about showing what something looks like. It’s about helping customers feel something:
✨ Luxury
✨ Craft
✨ Comfort
✨ Curiosity
✨ Indulgence
When you’re trying to grow your business — especially in a saturated space like specialty chocolate — the right photography helps your products stand out, connect with your audience, and ultimately drive more sales both online and in-store.
Supporting Local Makers in the PNW
One of my favorite parts of being a Seattle product photographer is getting to highlight local makers who pour so much heart into their work. Both Moonstruck and Fresco represent the absolute best of the PNW small-batch chocolate world, and it was such a joy to bring their bars into the studio and create two completely different visual identities.
Whether your brand is playful and whimsical or bold and refined, custom photography helps bring your story to life.
Looking for a Seattle Chocolate Photographer?
If you’re a chocolate maker, food brand, or specialty shop in Seattle, Bellingham, or anywhere in the PNW and want images that highlight the personality and craft behind your products, I’d love to help.
With over eight years of experience photographing food products with bright, intentional, and authentic styling, I work closely with brands to create images that support their marketing, elevate their packaging, and help grow their business.
Let’s make your chocolate look irresistible. 🍫 Get in touch today!
