4 Must-Read Books for Food Photographers

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When I first started my food photography business, I thought success would come down to just one thing—taking great photos. But I quickly learned that running a business is about so much more than the creative side. It’s about building the right habits, communicating well with clients, and structuring your time so you don’t burn out.

I’ve read a lot of books over the years, but there are three that completely changed the way I work. They’ve helped me get organized, communicate more effectively, and grow a business that I actually love—not one that just keeps me busy.

If you’re a food photographer (or dreaming of becoming one), I have 4 must read books for food photographers that will set you up for success in ways you probably haven’t even thought about yet.

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear

📸 Why you need this book: Starting a new business means stepping into a whole new routine—and that takes discipline. If you’ve ever set big goals but struggled to follow through, Atomic Habits will show you why.

James Clear puts it perfectly:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

In other words, success isn’t about setting big, ambitious goals. It’s about building daily habits that make those goals inevitable. This book teaches you how to:

• Create small, consistent habits that actually stick
• Break bad habits that are holding you back
• Design systems that make hitting your goals easier

One of the biggest mindset shifts I got from this book? Success isn’t about motivation—it’s about your environment. If you create a workspace and schedule that support your goals, things start to fall into place.

Get Atomic Habits here.

2. Digital Body Language by Erica Dhawan

📸 Why you need this book: We communicate with clients almost entirely through emails, messages, and social media. But the problem? Digital communication is full of misinterpretation and anxiety—for both you and your clients.

Have you ever sent a message and wondered if it sounded too harsh? Or waited days for a response and questioned whether you should follow up? That’s because we lose so much meaning when we communicate digitally.

This book helped me understand how to:

• Show people how I care by communicating effectively
• Avoid miscommunication and awkward misunderstandings
• Read between the lines of digital messages (yes, even those one-word replies!)

If you ever feel nervous about sending an email or DM, Digital Body Language will help you communicate more effectively and confidently.

Get Digital Body Language here.

3. Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

📸 Why you need this book: This book completely changed the way I run my business.

As food photographers, we tend to do everything—the photos, the editing, the emails, the bookkeeping, the marketing… and then we wonder why we feel exhausted.

Dan Martell teaches you how to identify what’s draining your energy and free yourself from the tasks that don’t actually make you money (or bring you joy).

For me, this book helped me see where I was costing my business money and time by doing things that could be outsourced. More importantly, it reminded me to focus on the parts of my business that I actually love.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to stop trading time for money and scale your business efficiently
• What tasks are actually worth your time—and which ones to delegate
• How to create a business that works for you, not the other way around

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this book will change everything.

Get Buy Back Your Time here.

4. Great by Choice by Jim Collins & Morten Hansen

📸 Why you need this book: The photography industry is always changing—new trends, shifting algorithms, evolving client expectations. If you want to thrive long-term, you need to know how to not just adapt, but exceed no matter what’s happening in the world.

That’s what Great by Choice teaches.

This book dives into how successful businesses navigate uncertainty, adapt to market shifts, and thrive even in challenging times.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to build a business that isn’t just reactive—but proactive
• Why the most successful entrepreneurs don’t rely on luck, but on consistent, disciplined action
• How to make strategic decisions that keep you ahead of the curve

This book was a game-changer for me because it reinforced something I’ve seen firsthand—change is the only constant. If you want a photography business that lasts, you need to embrace change and use it to your advantage.

Get Great By Choice here.

How to Actually Get the Most Out of These Must-Read Books for Food Photographers

I’m a big believer in taking action, not just learning. Here’s what’s helped me actually apply what I read:

1. Listen & Read – My favorite way to read is listening to audiobooks while I walk (this is called “habit stacking,” which you’ll learn about in Atomic Habits!). I use my Audible credit every month, but I also buy a hard copy to highlight and reference later.
2. Take It One Chapter at a Time – Books like Atomic Habits and Buy Back Your Time include action plans. Don’t rush through them—implement as you go!
3. Think About What’s Draining Your Energy – This was a huge takeaway from Buy Back Your Time. If you feel constantly busy but not actually moving forward, this book will help you figure out why.
4. Prepare for Change – Great by Choice reminded me that nothing stays the same in business. Instead of fearing change, learn how to navigate it strategically.

Ready to Level Up Your Business?

If you’re serious about leveling up your food photography business, these are 4 must-read books for food photographers—and I’ve made it easy for you to grab them all in one place.

Get all of these books in our Amazon storefront – so you can start building better habits, improving your communication, and creating a business that works for you.

Don’t have an Audible account yet? Here’s your sign! Audible gives you one book credit every month, and it’s my favorite way to read while getting in a walk. Grab one of these books as your first listen and start implementing while you move!

Want more business tips? Check out 3 Business Tips for Beginner Food Photographers.