Latte Art Throwdown

If you’ve never seen a latte

art throwdown in person

you need to put that on your bucket list. I’ve done a lot of work for Espresso State of Mind over the years, seeing as Javier and Joe, the owners, are friends of mine. They are simply put a barista lifestyle brand, and that lifestyle is competitive like you wouldn’t believe.

I call it a phenomenon, the latte art throwdown. Basically all over the world baristas collect at coffee shops after hours to compete in a tournament of usually between 16 and 32 baristas with the objective of pouring the best latte art head to head in front of judges that vote according to a series of characteristics that’s universally accepted like protocol. Javi and Joe have carved out a name for themselves, travelling the world and connecting with baristas and directors of coffee programs everywhere.

This shoot was from one of many throwdowns these guys plan out across the country. The was the official after party of the Coffee Expo in Boston in 2022. Since baristas are flying in from all over the world to go this massive tradeshow at the Boston Convention Center, Expresso State of Mind got 64 plus baristas to compete with many more coffee professionals and enthusiasts to come hand out in a fun nightlife environment.

The coffee industry globally is huge, and these types of events have become a center piece for sponsors to gain attention. This gallery is diverse with brand, commercial, and product photography mixed in with great high energy candids of baristas doing their thing, and few fun and happy portraits of friends.