HI! I’M MATT ARMENDARIZ!

I am a photographer, communicator, and creator of beautiful images, bringing over 30 years of experience to every project. My work includes multiple New York Times bestselling cookbooks, and I thrive on partnering with ad agencies, retailers, authors, publishers, and food makers to bring new ideas to life and sharpen existing concepts. Known for bold, vibrant imagery that balances authenticity with striking visual appeal, I approach each project with an artist's eye and endless curiosity, believing the best things happen through teamwork. It takes a village, indeed.

My vision and experience has been shaped by over three decades in the food world, first as a graphic designer turned art director, then moving on to creative direction before trading in Pantone books and press checks for a camera and studio filled with beautiful props and the best team mates ever. What hasn't changed is my love of proportion, color, shape, and design; the universal building blocks that create emotion, engagement, and interest. Each cookbook represents a close creative partnership, where I work intensively with authors, chefs, and culinary personalities to translate their vision through my lens.

Outside of the studio, you'll find me dancing to 90's R&B and teaching Zumba®. And if you happen to catch me strolling with my beloved giant Great Dane, Winnie, don't hesitate to say hello!

Many images here have been created and styled by my partner Adam C. Pearson, Food Stylist Extraordinaire. Check out his portfolio here.

I'm currently serving as a 2024 James Beard Foundation Book Awards Committee Member.

CLIENT LIST

Abbot's Butcher, Abrams Publishing, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Better Homes & Garden, Border Grill, California Wine Institute, Chandon, Chipotle, Chrissy Teigen, Chronicle Books, Clarkson Potter, Coastal Living, Coca Cola, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Cooking Channel, Crate and Barrel, Cypress Grove, Daou Vineyards, Flemings Steakhouse, Food & Wine, Food Network, GOOP, Grand Central Life & Style, Hard Collins, Jordan Winery, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kitchen Toke, Kraft Foods, La Brea Bakery, Little Brown & Company, Lucille's, Martha Stewart Living, Munchkin, Panda Express, PF Chang's, Rodale, Roy's, Sam's Club, Shark Ninja, St. Martin's Griffin, Storey Publishing, Taco Bell, Target, Ten Speed Press, US Foods, Walmart, Weber, William Morrow, Zondervan.