“Creativity is my sanctuary, it’s where I go to escape from all the darkness in the world.” — Kimberly Espinel

This week’s episode is a reminder that your creativity is not only a gift, but a way to tell your story. I’m joined by Kimberly Espinel, award-winning food photographer, food and prop stylist, author, and creator of The Little Plantation.

Through her camera lens, creativity becomes a sanctuary. It’s a way to cope when things get tough and a way to tell the powerful (and sometimes political) stories that make us, us.

Kimberly and I reminisce about the early days of sharing food photography online and celebrate how sharing what brings you joy can nourish both you and the people who experience your work.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create.

What’s in This Episode:

Kimberly shares her definition of creativity as the ability to weave heart into every detail. From recipe development, to lighting, and styling, there are opportunities to express joy throughout every step of the creation process.

Kimberly opens up about embracing a plant-forward, seasonal, and political approach to food, and how she uses her images to express deeper values and beliefs while celebrating the underdog.

You’ll also hear how she self-published her first book, Creative Food Photography after being rejected by traditional publishers. She listened to her community’s needs and trusted her own intuition.

She also share about the creation of her second book, How to Make Food Famous and invites you to rethink how you share your unique gifts in a creative ways.

Question: What story is your creativity telling right now? Tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @thelittleplantation and tell us!

xo Carla

PS: Are you Substack curious? Listen to this podcast episode about building your new digital home on Substack. Join the Substack Accelerator to share your creative projects and work in the world. Create, Launch, & Grow Your Substack

Listen to me on Kimberly’s podcast here

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

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