Recently, Nat Geo Traveller reached out for a quick interview about a photo I shot in Oaxaca for one of their Food issues in 2024. They wanted to know how I captured the moment… what the lighting was like, what challenges I faced, and how I made it all come together.

This image was taken inside a small kitchen with three large openings letting in natural light. The warm tones bouncing off the clay walls created this beautiful glow, while the smoke from the fire added a soft, hazy texture. It was the kind of light you hope for as a travel photographer. The challenge was balancing the highlights and deep shadows, so I adjusted my settings (Canon 5D Mark IV – F3.5, 1/250 sec, ISO 1000, 50mm lens) to keep the details intact.

For me, travel photography is about more than just food—it’s about capturing the energy of a place. The fire, the chef’s hands moving over the simmering mole, the textures in the kitchen—everything worked together to tell the story. And like with any good travel shot, it all came down to being in the right place at the right time.