Through the Lens: Preserving Easter Traditions with Food Photography
As a photographer, I’ve always believed that the most powerful images are the ones that stir our memories and emotions. Around Easter, that power feels magnified. It’s a season of warmth, renewal, and—most poignantly—tradition. In my family and among many others I photograph, Easter isn’t just a holiday; it’s a homecoming. And more often than not, that homecoming is found around the table.
In between portraits and springtime mini sessions, my lens often turns toward the quiet, beautiful moments unfolding in the kitchen—where flour dusts countertops like powdered snow, where well-worn wooden spoons stir memories as much as batter, and where generations gather to shape the flavors of their heritage.
This time of year, I find myself drawn to photographing the foods that define the season for so many of us: babka, hrudka, walnut bread, and Italian Easter pie (pizza rustica). Each has its own texture, color, and story—and each reminds me that food photography is about so much more than aesthetics. It's about legacy.
Babka: The Sweet Swirl of Spring
The rich scent of babka baking is enough to transport me back to childhood. I remember watching my grandmother knead the dough with strong, practiced hands, twisting it into perfect spirals of cinnamon or chocolate. As a photographer, I love capturing those spirals close-up—the golden crust cracking just so, the swirls like rings on a tree, telling the story of time. Every babka is a little different, and that’s the beauty of tradition passed down through generations: it evolves, but its essence remains.
Hrudka: The Simple Symbol of Faith
A traditional Eastern European cheese made especially for Easter, hrudka (also called cirak) may not be flashy, but it’s a staple of many family baskets blessed on Holy Saturday. Photographing hrudka is about honoring the quiet beauty of simplicity—a soft yellow round, tied in cheesecloth, a humble offering steeped in symbolism. It reminds me that not all traditions are loud; some whisper gently of faith, patience, and care.
Walnut Bread: Layers of Labor and Love
Making walnut bread is a labor of love—rolled thin, filled generously, and wrapped tight before baking to golden perfection. I’ve photographed this process so many times, and each time it tells a story: hands working in unison, powdered sugar falling like spring snow, laughter in the background. The cross-section of a sliced walnut roll is a thing of beauty—delicate, marbled, and absolutely nostalgic.
Italian Easter Pie (Pizza Rustica): A Slice of Celebration
There’s nothing quite like the savory satisfaction of pizza rustica, with its hearty filling of ricotta, meats, and cheeses encased in a golden crust. It's a celebration pie—rich, rustic, and a full embrace of Italian Easter tradition. I love photographing it fresh from the oven, the crust still warm, the edges slightly flaked. When it's sliced open, the vibrant layers inside make for a composition that's both flavorful and visually stunning.
Food photography, especially during Easter, is about more than mouthwatering images. It's about honoring the people who taught us how to bake, stir, season, and serve. It’s a way to preserve the intangible—flavors we grew up with, stories we heard at the table, and moments of togetherness we don’t want to lose.
So this Easter, as you enjoy your family’s traditional dishes, take a moment to photograph them—not just for Instagram, but for the generations to come.
Because one day, someone else might hold your photo and say, “This looks just like the way Grandma made it.” And that, to me, is the real magic of photography.
📸❤️🌻
