16 Years of Blogging: Tips for Starting and Growing Your Food Blog
16 Years of Blogging: Tips for Starting and Growing Your Food Blog
Looking Back: How It All Began
When I started my food blog back in 2009, the blogging world was an entirely different landscape. I was studying at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, pursuing my MFA and immersing myself in food photography and styling. I leaned on my interior design background for composition and creativity, and I practiced endlessly with my tiny Fuji camera. It wasn’t glamorous — my Maltese dogs curled up under my desk while I learned HTML, experimented with editing, and tried to figure out how this brand-new thing called “blogging” actually worked.
For years, I carried around my trusty Longchamp tote and a chambray Ralph Lauren hat — two staples that felt like part of my identity as much as my camera. That bag held recipe notes, memory cards, props, and sometimes even snacks for long shooting days. It became a symbol of those early blogging years, when I was hustling between shoots, styling sessions, and late nights of editing at my desk.
At that time, there weren’t thousands of “how-to” guides or courses on starting a blog. There was no blueprint. WordPress was still fairly new, and I was publishing my first recipes on Blogspot.com, slowly teaching myself coding and design as I went along.
I wanted this business to work badly, so I put in the hours. I hand-created and pinned 18,000 pins myself to build visibility. I photographed not only my own recipes but also created recipe photography for other food bloggers, which gave me invaluable practice behind the camera and helped me understand what audiences really loved seeing.
Sixteen years later, the blogging landscape has changed dramatically. But the principles that helped me start, grow, and sustain my food blog still hold true today. If you’re dreaming of creating your own space online, here are my hard-earned lessons and tips from over a decade of experience.
1. Start with Passion, Not Perfection
Blogging Was Never “Perfect” at the Beginning
When I hit publish on my first post, I didn’t have the perfect photos, logo, or brand colors. My camera was modest, my editing skills were self-taught, and my writing was still finding its voice. But I had passion — and that passion was enough to carry me forward.
Tip: Don’t wait until you have the perfect website design, logo, or equipment. Start with what you have. What matters most is consistency and sharing recipes you love.
2. Learn as You Go
Food Photography and Styling Take Time
I studied food photography formally during my MFA, but even then, much of what I learned came from trial and error. Photographing recipes for other food bloggers sharpened my skills and gave me perspective — I was able to see how other creators styled, branded, and shared their work.
Tip: Invest in learning photography and food styling. A course helps, but you’ll learn just as much by practicing daily. Photograph your dinner, try new plating techniques, and experiment with natural light.
3. Build Your Own Visibility
Pinning 18,000 Pins
One of the hardest parts of blogging back then was getting eyes on your content. I didn’t have huge platforms or advertising budgets. Instead, I sat down and personally created and pinned 18,000 pins to Pinterest. That dedication paid off by driving consistent traffic to my site and teaching me the value of marketing my content.
Tip: Today, you don’t need to pin thousands of graphics, but you do need to actively promote your work. Whether it’s Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram Reels, or SEO — pick a platform and commit.
4. Diversify Your Skills
Photographing for Others
Working with other food bloggers wasn’t just a side hustle — it taught me valuable skills. I learned how to shoot to match someone else’s brand, how to style for different audiences, and how to work under deadlines. Those lessons carried over into my own blog, making me sharper and more adaptable.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to freelance or collaborate with others. You’ll gain skills you can bring back into your own brand while also building relationships in the blogging community.
5. Consistency Matters More Than Overnight Success
Blogging Is a Marathon
It’s tempting to want instant results — thousands of readers overnight, viral videos, or a sudden sponsorship. But the truth is, my success came from years of consistent effort. Blogging is about showing up, even when traffic is low, even when a recipe flops, even when it feels like no one is reading.
Tip: Create a posting schedule you can stick to. Consistency builds trust with readers and signals to search engines and platforms that you’re reliable.
6. Treat Your Blog Like a Business
When I first started, blogging felt more like a hobby. But once I began investing time in photography, pinning thousands of graphics, and creating content calendars, I realized this was a business. That mindset shift made all the difference.
Tip: Track your expenses, set goals, learn analytics, and think of your blog as a business from day one. The earlier you adopt that perspective, the faster you’ll see growth.
7. Keep the Joy Alive
Sixteen years later, I still get joy from styling a dish, photographing a recipe, and sharing a post. That joy is what sustains me, even through algorithm changes, platform shifts, and the ever-changing online world.
Tip: Always reconnect with why you started. For me, it was a love of food, photography, and creating a space where my family recipes could live forever. Let your “why” fuel you.
Final Thoughts
Blogging has transformed so much since the days of Blogspot and my tiny Fuji camera. But the heart of it remains the same: showing up with passion, sharing what you love, and committing to growth.
If you’re starting today, don’t be overwhelmed by the sheer number of blogs out there. Instead, focus on what makes your voice unique. Remember that even in 2009, when there were no blueprints, no guides, and no communities, I built something that grew. If I could do it then — you can absolutely do it now.
So, grab your camera, cook something you love, and take the leap. Sixteen years from now, you’ll thank yourself for starting today.
