Behind the Scenes: My Sweet Photoshoot with Sumo Donuts in Canterbury

You know when you spot an opportunity and just know you have to go for it? That was me when I saw Sumo Donuts post on social media looking for photographers. I didn’t even hesitate—I reached out immediately, excited at the chance to work with a local business that was making waves in Canterbury (and with doughnuts, no less!).

The Doughnut Dream
A little backstory on Sumo Donuts, because honestly, their journey is just as sweet as their doughnuts. Founded in 2019, Sumo Donuts was born after a summer road-tripping through the USA. The team came back inspired by the American donut scene and got to work experimenting in their own kitchen.

After a lot of trial and error, they perfected their recipe. And during the Covid years, they took to social media to sell their creations, where the orders—and glowing reviews—started flooding in. This initial success sparked the decision to go all-in on their donut dream, even selling their family home to open the first Sumo Donuts shop in Canterbury. Now, they’re redefining the donut experience, one bite at a time.

A Sweet Opportunity
When I saw their post asking for photographers, I knew this was my chance to help them showcase their creations. These doughnuts are a work of art, and they deserved to look as irresistible as they taste (which, trust me, is very irresistible). So I packed up my camera and headed to the shop, ready to capture their gorgeous doughnuts and refreshing drinks for their UberEats listings.

Lights, Camera, Doughnuts!
Walking into Sumo Donuts was like entering doughnut heaven. The counters were full of colorful, icing-covered doughnuts topped with everything from sprinkles to “Homer Simpson” pink icing (you know the one!). Not to mention their drinks—frothy milkshakes and bright, fun bubble teas.

I got straight to work, setting up the perfect lighting to make each doughnut pop. Some shots were minimalist, with one perfect doughnut next to a cool drink. Others captured the fun vibe of the shop, playing with angles to show off the textures and toppings that made each doughnut unique.

Capturing the Magic
It was such a fun shoot, and time flew by. I experimented with natural lighting to give each shot a warm, inviting glow, and made sure to highlight the gooey goodness of the doughnuts. Every snap had to scream, “Order me now!” (and, not gonna lie, resisting the temptation to take a bite between shots was probably the hardest part).

A Dough-lightful Outcome
When I saw the final photos live on their UberEats page, I couldn’t help but feel proud. Sumo Donuts had trusted me to capture their delicious creations, and knowing that my work was helping their business shine gave me such a buzz. It was my first time working with a local business, and the experience was just as sweet as the doughnuts themselves.

Sumo Donuts = Pure Joy
This whole shoot was a great reminder of why I love photography. From the inspiring backstory of Sumo Donuts to the fun I had capturing their products, the entire experience was such a win.

So, if you’re ever in Canterbury and in need of a treat, pop into Sumo Donuts. One bite of their iconic doughnuts, and you’ll see why they’re redefining the doughnut game.