BEHIND THE LENS
MEET SHILPA
Photographer, traveler, cookbook junkie, occasional writer. Always chasing good street food and beautiful light.
I’m Shilpa Iyer, an editorial photographer drawn to the stories that connect food, people, and place.
Raised in Singapore and now based along the Jersey Shore, I bring a cross-cultural perspective to the way I see and photograph the world. My Indian and Singaporean roots have shaped my lifelong curiosity about food and the traditions, people, and places behind it. For me, food is never just what’s on the plate. It’s a way into a larger story about culture, identity, and a sense of place.
MY APPROACH
Working across food, travel, and culture, I create thoughtful, story-driven imagery for editorial and magazine assignments.
From the energy of a bustling market to the quiet details of a neighborhood café, I’m drawn to the character of a place and the everyday moments that make it memorable.
I work on both film and digital, choosing the approach that best serves each story. My background in food styling and videography also informs the way I work, bringing an understanding of how to build a scene while staying attentive to the honest details that make an image feel alive.
Whether documenting a meal, meeting the people behind a local food tradition, or exploring a new destination, my aim is to make images that invite you in, spark curiosity, and bring a story to life.
Based in NY–NJ and Singapore, available for editorial assignments and commissions.
2024 world food photography awards, finalist
SELECT CLIENT LIST
Avalon Golf Club | Bellemara Distillery | Bilinski’s| Bubbies | Cuzin’s Seafood and Clam Bar | Fog Linen | Gorgeous Goat | London Borough of Jam | Jose Ole | Laconiko | Terrapin Ridge Farms | The Naked Botanical | Victory Park Tavern| Wella Organics