you can make all sorts of bread - by the doorstep baker
The Power of Collaboration: Behind the Scenes of a Self-Published Cookbook with Food Photography at Its Heart
Last year, I had the absolute pleasure of joining forces with another incredibly talented woman—Catherine Lloyd Williams from The Doorstep Baker. Alongside a group of equally inspiring women, we created something truly special: a self-published cookbook that’s a product of creativity, community, and a true Women Who Worcestershire collaboration.
A Passion Project Rooted in Purpose
It all began when Catherine, founder of The Doorstep Baker, dreamed up the idea of a cookbook. Her baking journey started during the 2020 lockdown, when she began delivering homemade sourdough, cakes, and soups to her Worcestershire neighbours. What began as a heartfelt way to nourish her community quickly grew into pop-up markets, baking workshops—and eventually, this beautiful book.
This wasn’t just about sharing recipes. It was about telling stories, celebrating community, and spreading the joy of baking. And that’s where collaboration became key.
Bringing a Cookbook to Life with Professional Food Photography
That’s where I came in. As a food photographer, I’ve worked with many brilliant independent food businesses across Worcestershire. But this project was especially close to my heart. Catherine’s brand is full of warmth and honesty—so the photography needed to reflect that.
My goal was to capture her beautiful bakes exactly as they are—no over-styling, no tricks. Just real, delicious food, photographed using natural light and thoughtful composition to bring each recipe to life on the page.
Crafting the Words with Editorial Expertise
Next came the words. Enter Sian Smith— from Sian Smith Editorial an experienced editor and proof-reader with a passion for helping women bring their voices to print. Sian worked closely with Catherine to refine the recipe writing, add clarity and consistency, and polish the final script so it was ready to sit proudly on any kitchen shelf.
Designing and Shaping with SH Design
Then the baton was handed to Sami from SH Design, with her background in self-publishing, took on the book's layout and typesetting. Her understanding of design and print production was invaluable—from formatting pages to ensuring colours translated beautifully from screen to print (hello, RGB to CMYK!).
When I handed over the final photography, I trusted Sami completely to stay true to the visual tone. Her eye for detail and deep knowledge of print meant that the images looked just as beautiful on paper as they did on screen.
Foccacia bread
Why Collaboration Matters
This cookbook is a perfect example of what happens when creative women come together with a shared vision. From the kitchen to the camera to the final printed page, every part of this project was stronger because of collaboration.
Self-publishing can be overwhelming, but with the right people—photographers, editors, designers—it becomes an exciting, empowering process. When everyone brings their strengths to the table, magic happens.
Thinking About Your Own Cookbook?
If you’re a food business owner, baker, or chef dreaming of turning your recipes into a published book—now’s the time to start the conversation. Cookbooks take time. From concept to print, this one took a full year. But with the right support, it's not only possible—it’s incredibly rewarding.
From Idea to Reality
For Catherine, writing this cookbook started as a far-off dream—something she imagined for retirement. But with the encouragement of her business mentor, Sue Marriott from The Essence of Leadership, she began to see it as a serious business goal.
And that shift in mindset made all the difference.
Trusting the Process
Every step of the way—from recipe writing to final upload—was approached with care and collaboration. We held Zoom calls, shared Pinterest boards for visual direction, and created detailed shot lists to keep everything on track. This wasn’t a quick DIY project. It was a thoughtfully planned, joy-filled journey.
And the result? A cookbook full of heart, flavour, and artistry—one we’re all incredibly proud of.
Sourdough Pizza Bread
Ready to Taste the Magic?
Catherine’s cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes—it’s a slice of family tradition, kitchen creativity, and community spirit. Whether you're an experienced home baker or simply in search of soul-soothing bread, this book belongs on your shelf.
Click here to buy the book now .
Want to Bring Your Own Cookbook to Life?
Whether you're a baker, chef, or food entrepreneur—creating your own cookbook is absolutely within reach. But doing it well means working with a team you trust. Professional food photography, thoughtful editing, and beautiful design will elevate your story and give you a final product you're proud to share with the world.
Interested in working together to bring your food story to life?
Get in touch via my website here www.helenyandellphotography.com and let’s start planning your dream shoot.
