Li Haohan shops materials for a photo shoot on dumplings at a market in Shanghai, east China, Aug. 18, 2026. Unlike chefs who prioritize flavor, food stylists handle various ingredients, arrange plates and use tools to create the desired visual effects, capturing food's most appealing moments.
Li Haohan has been engaged in food styling for more than 20 years.
Li used to be a pastry chef. In 2003, he was invited to participate in a commercial shoot on instant noodles, where his outstanding craftsmanship earned him recognition. Since then, Li started to work as a part-time food stylist.
In 2010, Li became a professional food stylist and founded a food styling studio. Today, his team has grown to over 20 members, forming a professional team with deep expertise in food styling in China. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)
Li Haohan works on a hamburger at his studio in Shanghai, east China, Sept. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)
Li Haohan picks styling tools from a box in Shanghai, east China, Aug. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)
Li Haohan makes dumplings for a photo shoot at his studio in Shanghai, east China, Aug. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)
Li Haohan prepares for a photo shoot on dumplings at his studio in Shanghai, east China, Aug. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)
Li Haohan arranges dumplings for a photo shoot at his studio in Shanghai, east China, Aug. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)
Li Haohan works on a hamburger at his studio in Shanghai, east China, Sept. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)
Li Haohan prepares to take photos of a hamburger at his studio in Shanghai, east China, Sept. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)
This combo photo shows a food stylist making prop ice cubes (L) and arranging prop ice cubes for a photo shoot (R) in Shanghai, east China, Aug. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)
