10 Questions with Mariia Sokor

Maria Sokor is an internationally recognized food and commercial photographer originally from Ukraine. Growing up in a Kyiv suburb, she developed a deep connection to food—from cultivating ingredients in her childhood garden to capturing its beauty through photography.

With a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the Ukrainian National Academy of Arts, Maria brings a strong artistic foundation to her work, blending creativity with technical expertise. Since 2016, she has specialized in food photography, creating compelling visual narratives that highlight the artistry and emotion behind every dish.

Her work has been featured in renowned publications such as Vogue, EOS Magazine, Landscape Photography Magazine, Éclair Magazine, and 6XMAGAZINE, among many others. She is also the author of The Maria's Cookbook, where she developed and photographed each recipe herself.

Maria's photography has earned prestigious awards, including recognition from the TIFA Tokyo International Foto Awards, IPA Photography Awards, and the Food Photographer of the Year competition. Her work has been exhibited worldwide, from New York and London to Athens and Tucson.

Currently based in Philadelphia, Maria works across the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, collaborating with brands, restaurants, and culinary professionals. Whether through photography, exhibitions, or published works, she continues to explore the intersection of food, art, and storytelling.

www.mariiasokor.com | @maria_sokor

INTERVIEW

First of all, tell our readers a little bit about you. Who are you, and how did you start experimenting with images?

Mariia Sokor is a Ukrainian artist based in the USA who is widely known for her captivating food photography and artistic still-life compositions. Drawn to the interplay of light, texture, and form, she creates evocative impressions of culinary artistry, transforming everyday ingredients into visually compelling narratives. Through her meticulous styling and mastery of natural light, Sokor highlights the beauty of food as an art form, elevating its textures and colors to a near-painterly aesthetic.
Her interest in photography germinated in the early 2005s when she first picked up a Sony camera to document the world around her. Initially drawn to painting, she later found herself mesmerized by the possibilities of the photographic medium. Studying at the National Academy of Arts, she refined her understanding of composition and light, laying the groundwork for her distinctive visual approach.
Sokor’s work is influenced by her background in fine arts, her deep connection to nature, and the culinary traditions she grew up with. Her artistic contributions have also been recognized in exhibitions at Blank Wall Gallery, Boomer Gallery, and Decode Gallery, alongside numerous industry awards.

How did you develop into the artist you are today? And what is your personal aim as an artist?

My journey as an artist has been shaped by a blend of passion, discipline, and constant growth. In the beginning, I focused purely on experimenting and improving my technique. Over time, I realized the importance of setting clear goals that align with my personal vision. I learned that external validation doesn’t drive fulfillment—staying true to my own creative path does.
Photography, for me, is more than just capturing images; it’s about telling stories and evoking emotion. My aim is to create work that resonates deeply, preserving feelings and moments in a way that truly connects with people. To stay on track, I break my goals into actionable steps and regularly reflect on my progress. That helps me stay motivated and focused on what truly excites me.

Growing up, you developed a strong connection to food, as you mentioned in your statement. How does that early experience influence the way you approach food photography today?

Growing up in a small village near Kyiv, food wasn’t just something we ate—it was a whole experience. We grew our own fruits and vegetables, and I loved watching the process, from planting tiny seeds to finally picking the ripest tomatoes straight off the vine. My childhood smelled like freshly baked bread, summer berries, and homemade preserves, so it’s no surprise that food became such a big part of my creative life.
That connection still shapes how I approach food photography today. I don’t just snap pictures of dishes—I want to capture the mood, the texture, the story behind the meal. Is it comfort food that makes you want to curl up on a rainy day?A fresh, zesty dish that reminds you of summer vacations? I think about those emotions when I shoot.

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What aspect of your work do you pay particular attention to?

The process of creating my work is a mix of planning, intuition, and a deep understanding of how food interacts with light and composition. I draw inspiration from renowned photographers like Edward Weston, who approached food and still life with sculptural elegance, and Irving Penn, whose minimalistic yet powerful compositions turned everyday ingredients into fine art.
One of the most critical aspects I focus on is light. Like Weston, I believe that the right lighting can transform even the simplest subject into something striking.
Composition is another key factor. Inspired by Penn’s clean, structured approach, I carefully arrange elements to guide the viewer’s eye while keeping the setup organic and natural.

Food is not just sustenance in your work; it’s an art form. How do you strike a balance between making food look aesthetically beautiful while also staying true to its essence?

Food is my guiding force—it fuels my creativity and passion, and photography is my way of capturing that love while also making it my profession. I strive to showcase food in its most natural and honest form, using light, texture, and composition to highlight its beauty without losing its authenticity.

Your photography has been featured in prestigious publications like Vogue and EOS Magazine. How has your recognition in the industry shaped your approach to your work?

Being featured in prestigious publications like Vogue and EOS Magazine has given me the confidence to keep pushing my creative boundaries. It has inspired me to experiment with new techniques, refine my artistic vision, and explore different aspects of photography. This recognition serves as both validation of my work and motivation to continue evolving, always seeking new ways to innovate and grow in my career.

You’ve received multiple prestigious awards for your photography. Which recognition or award has been the most meaningful to you and why?

One of the most meaningful recognitions in my career has been the Food Photographer of the Year award, which I received in both 2019 and 2024. This competition is one of the most prestigious in the field, attracting over 110,000 entries worldwide. The rigorous judging process and the high level of competition make this recognition especially significant to me. Being acknowledged with the “commended” designation, alongside some of the world’s leading food photographers, reinforces my passion for storytelling through food imagery and pushes me to continue refining my craft.

As a commercial photographer, you collaborate with many brands and restaurants. How do you tailor your approach for different clients while maintaining your signature style?

Every brand presents a unique challenge, and each project is an opportunity to learn and push beyond my comfort zone. That’s what keeps my work exciting—I never see it as a burden! I love what I do, and every collaboration is a chance to grow, refine my craft, and find new creative solutions.
While I always adapt to a brand’s identity, target audience, and overall vision, I make sure to maintain my signature style—whether it’s through lighting, composition, or the way I bring out textures and colors. It’s a balance between understanding the client’s needs and staying true to the artistic approach that defines my work. In the end, my goal is to create images that not only represent the brand but also carry a strong, recognizable visual identity.

What projects or themes are you excited to explore next in your work, and do you have any upcoming exhibitions or collaborations you can share?

I’m excited to explore cinematography and experiment with new lighting techniques in photography to create more immersive, storytelling-driven visuals. As for collaborations, I have a few exciting projects in the works, but I’ll keep the details under wraps for now—stay tuned!

And lastly, what are your plans for 2025? Is there anything new you would like to experiment with in the coming months?

I don’t like to focus too much on the future because, honestly, things never quite turn out the way you expect. But I’m excited about the journey ahead. In 2025, I plan to continue exploring new creative directions, and see where that takes me. What excites me most is the opportunity to keep learning, experimenting, and pushing the boundaries of my craft. Ultimately, I’m just grateful to be doing what I love in the creative industry, and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

Apply for an interview >>

Related Interviews