In episode 73 of The Savory Shot, host Mica McCook interviews Chicago food photographer Regan Baroni, a former advertising art director who turned weekend iPhone and DSLR practice into a full-time career. Regan shares how burnout pushed her back into creativity, what it felt like to quit after paying off debt and saving, and how freelancing can be unexpectedly lonely. They discuss early portfolio missteps, experimenting without a brief, and a dramatic octopus image that earned recognition from the World Food Photographer of the Year Awards. Regan explains why learning to use artificial light helped her grow, why saying no to misaligned commercial work protects her artistic style, and why diversifying her income beyond client work became essential after COVID canceled jobs. She also describes her Mastering iPhone Food Photography course and an upcoming iPhone Drink Photography course.