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Food Styling Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Dog Groomer

Denver, CO · On-site

$1.0K - $2.0K/wk

Free food & snacks * Free uniforms Bark and Mane of East Denver has arrived! We offer the same ... Experienced Pet Stylist/Groomer (2 + years of professional experience) * Ability to groom all sizes ...

Groomer

Arvada, CO · On-site

$50/hr

As a Groomer, you help make a difference in the lives of pets by providing customers with an upscale pet styling experience to improve the look and feel of a pet's physical appearance. Depending on ...

Food Styling information

See Colorado salary details

$9

$21

$37

How much do food styling jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for food styling in Colorado is $21.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $25.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is food styling?

Food styling is the art of preparing and arranging food for photography, film, or television to make it look as appealing and appetizing as possible. Food stylists use a combination of culinary skills, creativity, and visual techniques to enhance the appearance of food for advertisements, cookbooks, menus, and commercials. They work closely with photographers, chefs, and art directors to achieve the desired look while ensuring the food remains visually appealing under studio lights and camera equipment.

How much do food stylists charge?

Food stylists typically charge between $300 and $1,000 per day, depending on experience, project scope, and location. Rates may also be calculated hourly, ranging from $25 to $100 or more, especially for smaller or specialized tasks. Additional costs can include travel, props, and equipment, and rates often increase for high-profile or commercial shoots.

What Are Food Styling Jobs?

Food styling jobs focus on food preparation, setup, and presentation for various media publication purposes, such as photography for a food blog, recipe book, culinary school website, or TV advertisement. As a food stylist, your responsibilities are to determine what kind of presentation the client wants, discuss the lighting and other technical issues with the photographer, set up the arrangement according to the client or photographer’s direction, and ensure that you showcase the food properly. Some food stylists work for advertising or food manufacturing companies, while others freelance or work with food photographers.

What is the work of a food stylist?

A food stylist is responsible for preparing and arranging food to look appealing for photography, film, or advertising. They use techniques such as selecting appropriate ingredients, applying finishing touches, and sometimes using special tools or products to enhance the appearance of food in visual media.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Food Stylist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Stylist, you need a strong background in culinary arts, a keen eye for detail, and a creative approach to presenting food, often supported by a degree in culinary arts or related experience. Familiarity with photography equipment, food-safe tools, and sometimes digital editing software is typically required. Excellent communication, time management, and problem-solving skills help you collaborate effectively with chefs, photographers, and clients. These skills are crucial to creating visually appealing dishes that meet client briefs and look appetizing on camera, ultimately influencing consumer perception and marketing success.

How long does it take to be a food stylist?

Becoming a food stylist typically requires several years of experience in food preparation, photography, or related fields, along with developing an understanding of food presentation and styling techniques. Many professionals gain skills through culinary training, internships, or working in food service before specializing in styling, which can take 2 to 5 years to master fully.

How do you become a food stylist?

To become a food stylist, individuals typically gain experience in culinary arts, photography, or art, and develop skills in food presentation and prop styling. Many start as assistants or in related roles such as food preparation or photography, and build a portfolio to showcase their work. Knowledge of food safety, attention to detail, and proficiency with tools like tweezers and sprays are also important.

What is the difference between Food Styling vs Food Photography?

AspectFood StylingFood Photography
Primary FocusPreparing and arranging food to look appealingCapturing images of food with cameras
Skills NeededFood presentation, culinary knowledge, aestheticsPhotography techniques, lighting, camera operation
Work EnvironmentKitchen, studio, or setStudio, outdoor, or location shoots
CredentialsFood styling courses, culinary background often preferredPhotography training, portfolio development

Food styling involves preparing and arranging food to look visually appealing for photos or media, while food photography focuses on capturing those styled dishes through photography techniques. Both roles often collaborate but require distinct skills: culinary and aesthetic skills for food styling, and technical photography skills for food photography.

How does a food stylist typically collaborate with photographers and chefs during a photo shoot?

Food stylists work closely with photographers and chefs to ensure dishes look visually appealing for advertising, editorial, or promotional shoots. Usually, the stylist prepares and arranges food on set, while collaborating with the chef to understand the dish's key features and the photographer to achieve the desired aesthetic and lighting. Open communication and flexibility are essential, as adjustments are often needed to accommodate camera angles, lighting, and time constraints. This teamwork helps bring out the best visual qualities of the food while maintaining an efficient workflow.
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Styling jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Food Styling jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Food Styling jobs in Colorado? For Food Styling jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Food Styling jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Food Styling job openings:
Infographic showing various Food Styling job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,517 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

Stylist / Manager at Kids Hair Salon

Pigtails & Crewcuts

Fort Collins, CO • On-site

$16 - $45/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Pigtails & Crewcuts rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 41 rated hair and beauty


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Bonus based on performance
  • Company parties
  • Competitive salary
  • Employee discounts
  • Flexible schedule
  • Free food & snacks
  • Health insurance
  • Opportunity for advancement
  • Paid time off
  • Training & development

Pigtails & Crewcuts: Haircuts for Kids - Fort Collins is hiring: Rockstar Stylist/Salon Manager!
Fort Collins, CO | Flexible Hours | Family-Owned & Operated
We're on the hunt for a fun-loving, energetic, and organized Stylist/Manager who's ready to lead the way in our vibrant kids salon!
Imagine this: You're surrounded by laughter, bubbles, and happy kids. You're not just cutting hair - you're turning "first haircut" fears into smiles, building confidence, and making memories. And the best part? You're home in time for dinner, every night.
If that sounds like your dream job - keep reading...
Who We Are:
Pigtails & Crewcuts: Haircuts for Kids - Fort Collins is a high-end salon that caters to kids (and yes, we do teens, moms, and dads too!). Our mission? To provide outstanding customer service and fun, memorable experiences for both children and their parents. We're a local, family-owned business with a passion for creating an upbeat, supportive, and exciting environment for both our team and our clients.
Join a team that brings smiles, sparkles, and style to every haircut!
Why YOU will Love It Here:
  • Work/life balance that actually exists - NO late nights
  • Fun, casual, and energetic environment filled with laughter, bubbles, and teamwork
  • Respect and support from a locally-owned salon that values YOU
  • Guaranteed pay + daily tips (hello, extra income!)
  • Paid time off, bonuses, and room to grow
  • No high-pressure retail goals (we're here to make people happy, not push products)
  • Stylist tools provided (just bring your shears!)
  • Casual dress code - yes, comfort counts!
  • Be part of a team that feels more like family!

What Makes YOU a Perfect Fit:
  • You're a licensed Colorado Cosmetologist or Barber
  • You're fun, energetic, and patient - even with our wiggliest little clients!
  • You're a team player who thrives in a positive, fast-paced, kid-friendly environment
  • You're someone who genuinely loves working with children and families
  • You bring the vibes - positive, playful, friendly, professional and calm under pressure
  • You're a natural leader who is organized and reliable - you'll be handling:
    • Scheduling staff and clients
    • Opening and closing the salon/drawer
    • Maintaining sparkling clean, safe, and happy spaces
    • Retail inventory and stocking
  • Previous salon management experience
  • Passionate about delivering the Pigtails & Crewcuts experience with every trim!

Compensation:
Competitive guaranteed base wage + tips + bonuses = earning an effective wage of up to $35/hr or more! We pay well because we value YOU!
Salon Hours:
  • Mon-Fri: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Sat: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Sun: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

We're not just looking for any stylist - we're looking for a true leaderIf you're honest, reliable, highly organized, and uphold a high standard of cleanliness, we want YOU as our next Salon Manager. This is your chance to lead with heart, keep our salon sparkling, and set the tone in a fast-paced, fun, and family-friendly environment while sharing your talent with our littlest community members, making a real impact every single day.
Ready to turn your talent into fun, fabulous haircuts? Apply today and let the good vibes (and bubbles) begin!
Compensation: $16.00 - $45.00 per hour
Pigtails & Crewcuts is a high-quality children's salon dedicated to providing a fun and comfortable experience for everyone. Mom & dad can rest easy in our clean, safe, and professional facilities designed to fit the individual needs of each child. Our stylists are trained to work with children and specialize in haircuts for boys & girls of all ages, trend-setting hair fashions, themed parties, and retail product-lines specifically created for kids. Each salon is designed with our most important customer in mind. We have themed & adult styling chairs, "mom chairs" at each styling station, age appropriate movies playing throughout the day, video game consoles, party room, a train table, toys, and retail offerings including hair accessories & hair care products.
Pigtails & Crewcuts proudly partners with Locks of Love. We, also, have an exclusive line of trademark products created with our customers in mind. Each salon is locally owned & operated, and our family approach has made us one of the most respected children's hair salon franchises in the country.
Do you love kids? Do you love cutting and styling hair? Then we would love to meet you! We have nearly 50 salons across the country, and we're always on the lookout for talented stylists with a knack for kids cuts.
This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this franchisee should be made directly to the franchisee, and not to Pigtails & Crewcuts Corporate.

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