This photographer captures the taste of her homeland from Kyiv to the USA

Maria Sokor is a Ukrainian food photographer whose passion for food began in a suburb of Kyiv, where she grew fruits and vegetables in her garden as a child. Now based in Philadelphia, Maria works with clients across the mid-west, serving a unique style that combines creative, artistic angles with the vibrant colours and textures of fresh ingredients.

Her new recipe book celebrates her journey and offers visually stunning, seasonally divided recipes that reflect her Ukrainian roots and passion for the art of food. Through her photography, Maria creates a visual and culinary experience that tells her personal story, merging food, culture, and art in every shot. DIYP chatted with Maria about her labour of love and how the idea for the cookbook came about.

DIYP: How did you get started in photography, and what led you to photograph food specifically?

Maria: My passion for food photography began almost by chance but eventually grew into a true calling. It all started when I shared a few of my food shots on Facebook. At that time, I was just trying to improve my skills, experimenting with light and composition, creating something special in the kitchen, and capturing it to showcase the beauty of food. But one day, unexpectedly, I was noticed by the manager of a major company specializing in the production and sale of cheesecakes. It was the largest company in Kyiv for selling these American desserts, and they offered me a collaboration.

From 2018 to 2020, I worked as their photographer, eagerly accepting the offer. My task was to make the cheesecakes look like more than just food – I had to make them irresistible. And those appetizing shots did their job – cheesecake sales significantly increased, and I received many positive reviews for my work. This experience became a pivotal moment in my life – it was then I realized that food photography was my true calling.

But this was just the beginning. My love for food photography continued to grow, and I started participating in exhibitions and international competitions. One of the most significant awards in 2019 was the world-renowned Food Photo Award, where my shot “Retro Burger” made it into the “Commended” list. Getting into such a competition was a real achievement, given the incredible competition, and it’s considered one of the most prestigious contests in the food photography world.

This event marked a turning point for me, as I realized that food photography wasn’t just a hobby but an art form through which I could tell stories and create something meaningful.

DIYP: How have your Ukraine roots influenced your work?

Maria: My Ukrainian heritage has deeply influenced both my photography and my connection to food. Growing up in a small village near Kyiv, I was surrounded by nature, home-cooked meals, and a love for growing our own food. My family’s garden was always full of fresh produce, and we cooked with what we grew. The simplicity of those ingredients and the warmth of home-cooked meals shaped my approach to food photography.

For me, the most important aspect of food photography is authenticity. The food has to look natural and relatable but also evoke an emotional response from the viewer. Whether it’s the texture of a flaky pastry or the vibrant colours of fresh produce, the goal is to make people want to reach through the screen or page and taste it.

DIYP: And then moving to the US, has that journey had an impact on your photography?

Maria: For me, it’s about capturing the authenticity of food—the raw beauty in natural light, textures, and imperfections that remind me of the farm-to-table lifestyle I grew up with. 

Moving to the U.S. was a significant and, at times, challenging transition for me. In the beginning, adapting to a new country, a new culture, and the realities of being far from home was overwhelming. There were moments of uncertainty and even fear, but this experience ultimately made me stronger, more resilient, and more determined.

It was during this time of adjustment that a new chapter of my life began—one that would influence my photography in profound ways. Here in the U.S., I welcomed the birth of my youngest son, and with his arrival, I felt the birth of a new phase in my creative journey. His presence brought a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration. It was as if, alongside him, a new version of myself as a photographer was born. I began to see the world differently, to look at life through a more meaningful lens.

This chapter feels like stepping onto a higher level in my artistic journey, one where I’m eager to create, explore new ideas, and push my creative boundaries even further. 

DIYP: Can you tell me a little about the recipe book project? What gave you the inspiration to start The Maria’s Cookbook?

Maria: The inspiration for The Maria’s Cookbook has been building within me since childhood, shaped by many small but significant moments. I’ve always had a deep love for cooking, but it was more than just preparing meals—it was an experience, a form of creative expression. One of my earliest memories is sitting in our kitchen, completely captivated by culinary shows, especially Jamie Oliver’s. Watching him cook and present food with such passion sparked something in me, a desire to explore food not just as nourishment but as art.

We also had an old Soviet-era cookbook at home, filled with pictures of beautifully plated dishes. I would spend hours flipping through those pages, enchanted by the way food could look so perfect, so inviting. That’s when I first began to see the connection between food and photography—how a simple image could tell a story, evoke a feeling, or transport you to a different place.

At 16, my cousin gifted me a book called The 50 Best Cakes for my birthday. I was overjoyed and eager to try the recipes, but growing up in a village with limited access to speciality ingredients was a challenge. Almond flour, brandy, vanilla beans—these were luxuries I could only dream of. Still, I improvised with what I had, and in those moments of creativity, my love for baking deepened.

Later, I became mesmerized by the work of English photographer Lisa Barber, whose food photography brought dishes to life in such a vivid and captivating way. Her ability to capture the essence of food pushed me to explore my own vision through the lens. 

DIYP: What are the most important aspects of being a food photographer? Do you use a food stylist?

Maria: I usually style my own food since I enjoy the process of both cooking and photographing. I’ve developed a good understanding of how to present food in its best light. However, for more complex shoots, I do collaborate with food stylists to ensure that the vision is perfectly executed.

DIYP: What equipment do you use?

Maria: I mainly use a Canon 5D Mark IV for my food photography, paired with a 100mm macro lens. The macro lens is fantastic for capturing the details of food, which is crucial for creating that mouthwatering effect. I also use natural light whenever possible because it keeps the food looking real and fresh, but I’ll occasionally supplement it with softbox lighting when necessary. Also, I use 50 mm 1.2 for the top view and 24-70 mm. 

DIYP: Can you walk us through how you shot one of your photographs?

Maria: When I start working on a food photograph, it all begins with choosing the dish and writing down a list of all the ingredients I’ll need. I usually cook with seasonal products, so if it’s cherry season, I’ll be baking something with fresh cherries. After gathering a basket of those ripe berries, I dive into preparing the dish itself. While the pie is in the oven, I focus on setting up the props and building the composition. Here, I have to be careful not to get too lost in the creative process and forget about the pie—don’t want it to burn!

Most of my recipes are shot using natural light because it gives the food a cosy, homey feel. If I’m aiming for that perfect morning light, I plan my shoots before 11 a.m., or sometimes, depending on the season, around 5 or 6 in the evening. Back in Ukraine, I had this huge window that let in the most incredible light.

Once everything is ready—the background, the plates, the utensils—I always take a few test shots with empty dishes to fine-tune the composition. Then, when the pie is finally out of the oven, I photograph it right away before it cools down and loses its beautiful look. By that time, the lighting and setup are all prepared, so the pie just needs to shine as the star of the show.

Shooting with artificial light is definitely easier, but there’s something magical about natural light—it adds warmth and cosiness to the photo. You have to be quick, though, because if the sun slips behind a cloud, the whole mood of the picture can change. The photo shoot for the star of the day—our pie—usually lasts no more than 30 minutes because by then, my family is eagerly waiting, savouring the smell and just waiting for me to say, “Alright, you can eat!” And that’s when my eldest son, Stefan, says, “Mom, you’re a magician! This looks so delicious.” Sometimes, his little hand sneaks into the shot, and you might even spot it in the pages of the book.

It’s those little moments that make the whole process feel so personal. It’s not just about the photography or the food—it’s about capturing the love and energy that goes into each and every dish.

DIYP: Writing and shooting a recipe book is a massive amount of work. What was the greatest challenge during the creative process?

Maria: Writing and shooting a recipe book is definitely a labour of love, and one of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing creativity with practicality. 

I wanted the recipes to feel approachable while still allowing space for creativity.  There were days where the kitchen looked like a whirlwind had passed through, with ingredients everywhere and dishes piled high!

Perhaps the biggest personal challenge was working through moments of self-doubt, where I questioned whether the final result would reflect the passion and effort I put into it. In the end, I learned that the process was about patience, trusting my instincts, and finding joy in each step—because the journey itself was as rewarding as the finished product.

DIYP: What’s next? Any exciting new plans or projects for the future?

Maria: I’m currently working on my second cookbook, which focuses on traditional breakfasts from around the world—but I won’t give away too much just yet. Let’s keep a little mystery alive! It’s an exciting journey to capture the beauty and diversity of morning rituals across different cultures, from the warm, comforting dishes of Europe to the vibrant and colourful plates of the Middle East. Each recipe tells its own story, and I’m loving the challenge of photographing these moments that people start their day with.

Alongside that, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate on some incredible projects with talented chefs here in the U.S. It’s always inspiring to see how they bring their passion and creativity into the kitchen, and I’m there to make sure that every dish shines through my lens. The energy in a professional kitchen is unlike anything else—there’s a magic in how flavours, textures, and colours come together, and my goal is to capture that magic in my photography.

There’s always something exciting around the corner, and I can’t wait to share it.

If you want to see more of Maria’s delicious work, you can buy the Maria’s Cook Book here, or follow her on Instagram or look at her website.

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