Now Bao –

Capturing Now Bao | A Bold Branding Shoot for Wānaka’s Favourite Food Truck

If you're local to Wānaka—or just passing through—you’ve probably come across Now Bao, the vibrant food truck known for serving up bold, flavour-packed bao buns with an Asian-inspired twist. Their food is colourful, creative, and full of personality—and they wanted branding photography that reflected exactly that.

As a Wānaka-based food and branding photographer, I was thrilled to collaborate with the Now Bao team to create a collection of high-impact images that showcase the flavour, energy, and essence of their brand.

Telling a Story Through Food Photography

For Now Bao, this wasn’t just about snapping a few product shots. It was about building a visual identity—something that could translate across their website, social media, printed menus, and even future signage.

From the very beginning, we focused on storytelling. We captured the sizzle of fresh bao being assembled, the textures of slow-cooked fillings, the vibrant colours of pickled toppings, and the character of the truck itself—all designed to make you hungry at first glance.

This kind of shoot is what I love most: not just documenting the food, but bringing a brand to life through images.

Why Food Photography Matters—Especially in Wanaka

In a competitive and visually driven industry, first impressions are everything. Especially in a tourist town like Wānaka, where visitors often choose where to eat based on what they see online, professional food photography makes a huge impact.

For Now Bao, investing in brand photography means they now have a content library filled with versatile, high-quality images they can use across all their platforms—building trust, showcasing quality, and attracting new customers.

A Sneak Peek Behind the Scenes

We shot on location with natural light to keep things real and inviting. Every bao was styled to highlight its flavour and texture—think crispy tofu, sticky pork belly, bright pickled veg, and fluffy steamed buns. We also included wider shots of the food truck in action, giving Now Bao’s audience a taste of the full experience.

It was a fast-paced, fun shoot (with lots of delicious samples at the end!) and one of my favourite recent projects.

Looking to Elevate Your Own Food Brand?

If you're a food truck owner, café, or hospitality brand in Wānaka or beyond, professional photography is a powerful way to connect with your audience and grow your business.

Let’s create visuals that tell your story and make people hungry.
Contact me here to learn more about food and branding photography sessions.

You can order from Now Bao HERE.

Now Bao’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/now_baonz/?hl=en