Meet Isabella Martinez-Funcke

We were lucky to catch up with Isabella Martinez-Funcke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Isabella , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

As a food stylist and photographer, I find creativity in the in-between moments: the swirl of cream in coffee, the imperfect crumbs on a cutting board, the way natural light changes throughout the day. Everyday life is my mood board. The more I slow down and observe, the more ideas appear. Becoming a mother has deepened that sense of wonder. My daughter reminds me to see beauty in the smallest details, to slow down, and to find inspiration in simple, everyday moments.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a food stylist, photographer, and chef. I’m also a wife and a mom to a curious two-year-old who keeps my days full of laughter. You’ll most likely find me at a coffee shop, sketching ideas or daydreaming about my next shoot.

I was supposed to study culinary arts in Spain, but when my visa didn’t arrive in time, life had other plans. I moved to San Francisco instead and continued studying photography. Eventually, I landed a job with a food photographer, and one day when the food stylist’s assistant didn’t show up, my boss handed me an apron and said I could help. That day I made about 500 pancakes for a premade batter shoot, and the rest was history. That moment blended everything I love: food, creativity, and storytelling through images.

I’m currently teaching cooking workshops in San Diego & Tijuana area. I love sharing my passion of cooking with others.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Curiosity has always guided me. It’s what pushed me to explore both food and photography, to learn by doing, and to see beauty in the ordinary. Staying curious keeps creativity alive, no matter where you are in your journey.

Passion is the thread that ties everything together. It’s what keeps me experimenting, creating, and finding joy in the process, whether I’m behind the camera or in the kitchen. When you love what you do, even the long days feel meaningful.

Resilience has been just as important. Creative work comes with challenges, uncertainty, and moments of doubt. Learning to keep going, to find inspiration again after setbacks, is what turns passion into a lasting craft.

For anyone starting out, nurture your curiosity, lead with passion, and build resilience along the way. Your path may not unfold as planned, but every experience will shape the artist you’re becoming.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I start to feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned to slow down instead of push through. I step away from the screen or the kitchen, make myself a coffee, and give my mind a moment to reset. Sometimes I’ll go for a walk, cook something just for myself without thinking about styling or photographing it, or spend time with my daughter. She has a way of grounding me and reminding me what really matters.

Over time, I’ve realized that creativity needs rest to grow. The best ideas often come when I give myself space to breathe. My advice is to build small rituals that help you reconnect with yourself, whether that’s a walk, journaling, cooking, or even doing nothing for a while. Overwhelm is usually a sign that you care deeply about what you’re doing, but balance keeps that passion sustainable.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabellamfuncke/

Image Credits

Ivanna Bañales
Paulina Rodríguez