From Vineyard Waters to Island Tables: Photographing The Sea Table

My world and my work thrive on telling stories of sustainability and ingenuity. From my early career as a Greenpeace photographer—documenting environmental challenges around the globe—to my current work with regenerative farming, innovative businesses, and publications like Bluedot Living, I’ve always used my camera to do more than capture beauty. For me, photography is about showing the systems, labor, and solutions that sustain us.

Here on Martha’s Vineyard, I’ve been drawn to the other side of the story: not just exposing challenges, but celebrating resilience. Over the years, I’ve stood chest-deep in waders with the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group as they raked for clams, braced myself against icy winds on the Cottage City Oyster Farm skiff, photographing seaweed unfurling in midwinter seas. I’ve witnessed how people here are innovating—finding ways to make a living from the ocean while protecting its future, again and again.

So when the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust and cookbook author Catherine Walthers asked me to photograph The Sea Table: Recipes and Stories from Martha’s Vineyard Waters, I knew this project would strike at the heart of my work. It’s more than a cookbook—it’s a preservation effort, a tribute to the island’s fishing community, and a reminder of the delicate balance between sustenance and stewardship.

None of this would have been possible without the vision and dedication of Shelley Edmundson, Executive Director of the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, who poured her heart and soul into the project. Shelley wrote the book’s moving introduction, grounding The Sea Table in both science and soul. Her deep understanding of the island’s marine life and her commitment to preserving a sustainable fishing future gave the book its purpose and heartbeat.

Essential Tips for Photographing The Sea Table

At its core, The Sea Table tells the story of our waters and the people who depend on them. It introduces 19 local seafood species and shares the stories of 21 Vineyard fishermen—men and women who rise before dawn, work in all weather, and build their lives around tides, migration patterns, and seasons.

The fishermen are the true heroes of this industry. Their stories are told with honesty and power through Brooke Bartletta’s dynamic black-and-white portraits, which bring humanity to the pages and anchor the book with grit. Brooke captured not just their faces but their essence—hands weathered by salt and sun, eyes both weary and determined. Her images remind us that these aren’t faceless suppliers, but people deeply tied to this island, carrying responsibility for both livelihood and legacy.

And tying it all together visually is the remarkable work of Ben and Lainey Scott of Bluerock Design, whose creative direction gave The Sea Table its visual rhythm and cohesion. Ben—an avid fisherman himself—illustrated the book’s cover with intricate renderings of local fish, a piece that immediately conveys the book’s connection to the sea. Together, Ben and Lainey built the design framework that allowed the recipes, photographs, and stories to flow seamlessly, using color, texture, and layout to reflect the spirit of the island. Their work transformed the book from a collection of pages into a cohesive, living narrative.

Cooking on Set

My role was to bring the recipes to life visually. But this wasn’t food styled in isolation—we invited a handful of Vineyard chefs and cooks to prepare their dishes on set, and we photographed the recipes across two different seasons, when the finfish, shellfish, and crustaceans were actually in season and running.

We also knew which fishermen had landed which species, so every recipe was tied directly back to the person who caught it. That connection—from sea to shore to plate—gave the photography authenticity and immediacy.

The Sea Table is, at its core, a cookbook with a purpose—showcasing not only how to prepare delicious meals, but also where the seafood comes from, who caught it, and why sustainable practices matter for the future of our waters.

Furthermore, the process of Photographing The Sea Table is not just about the food; it’s about the stories behind each dish and the people who create them.

Catherine Walthers developed more than half of the recipes, while the rest came from Vineyard chefs, home cooks, and local restaurants. Chef Andrew Burkill and owner Jenna Petersiel of Chilmark Tavern came on set and prepared their Tuna Tartare with wasabi ranch, the restaurant’s favorite to recreate at home.

Spring Sheldon cooked up her Summer Scallop dish, pairing Vineyard bay scallops with red beets and zucchini from Morning Glory Farm, and Jan Burhman came on set and cooked up her famous seafood paella. After the dishes were expertly crafted, we moved the pans under my lights and onto a backdrop.

Cathy wasn’t just the author—she was the driving force in the kitchen, prepping ingredients, cooking dish after dish, and keeping the workflow on track. She curated, tested, cooked, and collaborated at every step, ensuring the recipes honored both tradition and innovation.

Photographing alongside her made the work seamless, and her dedication to elevating local voices shaped the heart of the project.

Ultimately, Photographing The Sea Table is a celebration of the ocean’s bounty and the community that cherishes it.

From Exposure to Possibility

My early work with Greenpeace taught me how urgent it is to protect the natural world, but those stories often centered on loss and damage. Here on Martha’s Vineyard, my work has come full circle. I’m still photographing the intersection of people and nature, but now the emphasis is on possibility: documenting resilience, solutions, and the human capacity to adapt.

Whether it’s fishermen experimenting with regenerative seaweed farming, shellfish groups filtering water and restoring ecosystems, or home cooks preparing meals that highlight the importance of eating locally and seasonally, I see the seeds of a more sustainable future in action here every day. These stories show what’s possible when communities choose to care.

Why The Sea Table Matters

Each recipe featured in Photographing The Sea Table is a testament to the rich culinary traditions that abound in our coastal communities.

On the surface, The Sea Table is a cookbook filled with 75 recipes you’ll want to make. But its larger purpose is to connect us: to fishermen, to species, and to the fragile waters that shape this community. Each recipe is a thread in a larger fabric, tying together food, tradition, and ecology. Each book purchase supports the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, helping ensure fishing remains a viable livelihood for the next generation.

The photographs in Photographing The Sea Table serve as a visual representation of the culture, sustainability, and love for the sea.