Chava
Oropesa
🇺🇸 The United States
San Francisco (The United States)
With us
3 years
Studio Name
Chava Oropesa Photography
Hi! I’m Chava, an Oakland-based Photographer and Creative Director whose love for photography, food, and even the packaging it comes in, has transformed into my life's passion.
Growing up in Mexico City filled my life with colorful culture which has deeply influenced both my design style and photography. Browse my portfolio at www.chavaoropesa.com and you’ll see that I am not a stranger to pops of color and dramatic lighting.
Follow my instagram @chava_oropesa
Winning photos
Ethiopian Super Natural, single origin limited release coffee. It was great to create these images, and how beautiful is that ceramic blue pour over piece for the filter!?
Client @peetscoffee
Styling @lorena_masso
Hand model @itsmadisonmendez
Peet’s Coffee Golden Lattes
Point of sale images for in-store and online
Warm earthy tones help tell the story for these Turmeric-infused Golden lattes with touches of ginger and honey.
This campaign included images for print with heros of the new drinks and their new caprese sandwich and lifestyle images for digital campaign.
Client work for Peet's Coffee. New packaging photography, for their organic coffee beans. Part of a Series to photograph the whole packaging lineup.
86th CollectionClient work for Kinship Foods, they approached me with the challenge to shoot their dumplings reflecting a very colorful and fun style. They wanted images that showed Asian food and ingredients in a non-traditional way. Using saturated colors and bright contrasting tones really gives these dumplings some life!
86th CollectionRompope Jello shot for a personal project.
Rompope, the way I describe it, is similar to American eggnog: it is a milk-based beverage made with egg yolks, vanilla and rum. However, this liqueur is available year-round. Plus, it is not only enjoyed as a beverage but it also can be used in desserts, ice cream, coffee, and even gummies (my personal favorite). Although Rompope is traditionally vanilla-flavored, it can also be found in pecan, strawberry, walnut, cinnamon, and pine nut flavors.
This dessert is easy to make and so tasty that I guarantee you will have more than one piece. Plus, who can say no to a liqueur turned into an after meal treat?
Note: This dessert is NOT for kids! it contains alcohol.
Local Bay Area catering "Dos Raicez" amazing food: Uchepo, corn #tamal, pork rib in adobo rojo, crema, cotija.
Beautifully plated, had the joy of shooting this collaboration between chef Elton and visiting chef Alberto Palacios
Image created for Peet's Coffee to introduce their new packaging design initiative. One of a series that shows the new bag, boxes and capsules.
84th CollectionPozole is probably the most traditional Mexican soup. It's served during celebrations and parties but it's also a big staple of everyday Mexican food. Primarily made with hominy, chicken or pork then topped with shredded lettuce, avocado, oregano, and radishes. This version was made with mushrooms, for VegNews magazine Christmas issue.
83rd Collection"Champurrado" is a traditional Mexican beverage made with corn masa, water, chocolate and sweetened with piloncillo. It has a thick rich texture and is usually served warm to accompany tamales or churros.
Image created for a Christmas editorial for VegNew Magazine Holiday issue.
Loads of peanut butter packed into a cookie that will melt in your mouth. Topped with flaky Maldon salt. The perfect balance of salty and sweet. I enjoy a good drip photo, brings fluid textures that contrast the cookie.
82nd CollectionPink Lemonade cupcakes filled with raspberry compote. I love having colors contrast and complement each other. Having a pink surface, pink plate and the pink ombre glass helped the yellow on the frosting pop!
82nd CollectionThe "Black Tie", one of 14 drinks photographed for Peet's Coffee Summer Campaign.
This iced delight is made with layered sweetened condensed milk, Cold Brew iced coffee, chicory infused simple syrup, and a float of half and half.
Photography for Blue Star Donuts. Blueberry Bourbon Basil donut combines fresh sweet blueberries, fresh fragrant basil, and a good bourbon (added for a hint of caramel depth). The basil is a refreshing balance to this deliciously sweet and colorful concoction.
80th CollectionNew photography for Blue Star Donuts! Had the joy of shooting 10 of their delicious donuts for their e-commerce site.
The goal: elevate the ingredients and show the flavor in a fun and elegant way.
Pictured here is the Raspberry Rosemary Old Fashioned donut. Check my website for the rest of the images in this collection.
Grilled Pampano
From my ongoing project "Con Mucho Cariño" a collection of my mom's recipes.
This Fish is coated with a salsa made of Achiote and grilled wrapped in fresh banana leaf.
I wanted to use the banana leaf as the complete backdrop for this image, it has such a rich vibrant color!
Food styling: Lorena Masso
Salsa Borracha "Drunken Salsa" from my mom's family recipe.
It's a traditional salsa in Mexican cuisine, usually served with queso fresco or sliced avocado.
Made with roasted Pasilla Chiles, tomatoes, onion, garlic and the addition of some alcohol, some recipes call for pulque, tequila or beer. The alcohol is cooked off and gives it a delicious flavor.
The image was created to illustrate the recipe from my mom's book.
Food Styling: Lorena Masso
I decided to create this blue fantasy to frame another one of my mom's recipes, her Rum Bread.
The concept was mainly to play with contrast and harmony, make the yellow/orange of the bread stand out against the blues on the whole set.
This Bread is soaked in rum after it's baked, we just decided to pour a little bit more.
Food Styling: Lorena Masso
Image created for the launch campaign for a new cake flavor for Noe Valley Bakery.
This Pink Lemonade cake inspired the bright yellow set with red and green accents, creating the color gradient in the background is all done in camera with gels. Hope you enjoy!
Menyul, a Mexican coastal cocktail
The Menyul is originated in the town where my dad is from, Cordoba. The story tells of a French man in the XXVII century who was visiting the town and asked a bartender for a Mint Julep. The bartender was not familiar with the drink so he followed the visitor’s instructions. He replaced the Bourbon for Rum, since Bourbon was not imported at that time, and gave it his own twist. Since then it became the beverage of choice in many bars in Veracruz and a “must” if you are visiting.
Do you have a flavor that every time you taste it, it immediately transports you to a different time in your life?
For me, it’s these Pecan cookies, they are crumbly and moist at the same time. Remember when you tried cookie dough for the first time? Whether you sneak in a taste when your parent was not looking or they gave you a chance to try it… that flavor will always take you back to those moments. When I make this dough, the experience just takes me back to my childhood.
I know you’ve experienced something similar!