The digital transformation experienced in tourism and gastronomy has enabled food experiences to emerge in new forms within social media environments. Within the context of digital gastronomy, this study examines how social media photographs contribute to the image and branding process of tourist destinations. First, a theoretical framework was established through concepts such as the experience economy, cultural capital, visual consumption culture, destination image, electronic word-of-mouth communication, and user-generated content. Subsequently, the role of social media photographs in tourism marketing was evaluated within the framework of topics such as foodstagramming, visual aesthetics, perceived value, mental imagery, visit intention, and influencer effects. In the final stage, the contributions of gastronomic photographs to local identity, authenticity, cultural heritage, digital circulation, trust, and brand value were discussed. The overall findings indicate that social media photographs make gastronomic experiences more visible, increase destination attractiveness, support destination image, and contribute to the branding process. Accordingly, it can be stated that gastronomic photographs constitute an important representational space in the promotion of tourism destinations in the digital age.