Thanksgiving is when we in the United States celebrate with decadent feasts and express all we are thankful for. In the spirit of this holiday, I want to acknowledge how thankful I am for the opportunity to photograph for dynamic brands and individuals. One project comes to mind when thinking about the joy of creative freedom.

Earlier this year, Shafna Shamsuddin, the owner of Elaka Treats, a small ice-cream manufacturing business, approached me to take photographs that encapsulated her brand. Elaka Treats deliberately blends Shafna's past and present, pairing cardamom-infused Indian and Arabic flavors from her heritage with locally sourced North Carolina ingredients.

It was a treat to work with Shafna as she let me take complete creative control of the project. My goal was to create three images highlighting the unique ingredients that make the artisanal ice cream exceptional. I developed the concept, and from styling to lighting and retouching, I crafted images that showcase the unique flavors of the ice cream. For combinations such as Inji-Puli Sweet Potato, I pulled in the raw ingredients: sweet potato, ginger, and of course, cardamon and juxtaposed them against the finished confection. These images call attention to ingredients represented in the flavor profile.

As we consider what we are thankful for, my mind can't help but go back to this project. Having total control of the vision from beginning to end was profoundly gratifying. This project allowed me to indulge in creativity, and I am delighted with the final images. These are not just beautiful photos; they represent the labor of love that these handcrafted ingredients construct. As a food photographer, it is always satisfying to help instantly communicate a brand's uniqueness with intentional imagery, and I am thankful for such opportunities.

Check out Elaka Treats here.