Coffee it’s an experience worth documenting. Through his Instagram, @lilboibrew, Tommy Keiser from Los Angeles, USA curates moments of specialty coffee culture with an eye for detail that blends photography, design, and storytelling. From the bustling cafés of Los Angeles to the timeless espresso bars of Italy, Tommy captures more than just coffee—he captures a way of life.

HUDES: Can you take us back to your first coffee memory? Was there a defining moment that sparked your passion for coffee?

Tommy Keiser: My first coffee memory was in middle school.

When my dad brewed me my first filter coffee on a Mr. Coffee. I drank it black.

At the time, he drank charcoal-dark roasts. The moment that truly sparked my passion was receiving my first Chemex one Christmas. I had no idea how to use it or what tools I needed to make a solid cup.

Tommy Keiser | Los Angeles USA | Photo by Tommy doc.

I became a regular at Go Get Em Tiger and Maru in Los Feliz, California, trying to learn more about home brewing. I attended public cuppings, watched tutorials on YouTube, and fell deep into the rabbit hole thanks to James Hoffmann and Chris Baca.

Around the same time, I was reading Steve Jobs' biography and learning about Apple’s design studio under Jony Ive. That team, obsessed with perfecting their daily coffee, included Doug Weber, who later founded Weber Workshops.

Today, I’m lucky to own a Weber Key for my espresso practice in my design studio—kind of a full-circle moment, considering my career is also centered on design.

HUDES: Growing up, was there any specific environment, person, or experience that shaped the way you see and appreciate coffee today?

Tommy Keiser: I grew up in Philadelphia, surrounded by Italian Americans, where every celebratory function ended with espresso. I’ve always been drawn to coffee for its social component. Having that example early on solidified coffee as both a ritual and a means of connection.

HUDES: Your Instagram is filled with beautifully captured coffee moments. Do you remember the first time you fell in love with photography?

Tommy Keiser: My grandfather and uncle are both NFL Films cinematographers. I worked with them as a kid on the football fields, running film on game day.

From a young age, I was taught how to frame a shot—cameras were everywhere in my childhood. Later, I attended an arts college and refined my skills in film and animation. Photography has always been a part of my life.

HUDES: What draws you to document coffee culture, and how do you decide which cafés, people, or moments to capture?

Tommy Keiser: Specialty coffee attracts passionate people, and I like surrounding myself with passionate people. Los Angeles is experiencing a major cultural shift in coffee—it's becoming an experience, an art form. The people and places driving that revolution should be remembered for their contributions.

I seek out those who push boundaries, create new experiences, and deeply understand hospitality. As for specific moments, I just do my best to tell the story. I enjoy the challenge of photography as a storytelling medium.

HUDES: Los Angeles is a vibrant coffee city. What makes its coffee scene unique compared to other places you’ve explored?

Tommy Keiser: The diversity. There’s such a wide range of cultural influences, opinions on what makes a good cup, and different brewing styles.

LA's culture allows for unique café concepts because of the sheer volume of potential customers. There’s also an openness to new ideas here, which allows for growth and experimentation.

HUDES: What do you think makes a café truly special? Is it the coffee, the design, the people, or something else entirely?

Tommy Keiser: It’s all of these things—the craftsmanship of coffee, the design and workflow of the space, the team that brings the experience to life, and the overall energy of the café. When a place excels in all these aspects, it piques my interest.

HUDES: Has photography changed the way you experience coffee, or has coffee changed the way you approach photography?

Tommy Keiser: Absolutely. My Instagram started as a personal journal to document my coffee journey. I never imagined it would lead to the community I have today.

Photography has taken me places I never expected, shaped my career in design, and introduced me to a new daily ritual.

Coffee, in turn, has sharpened my attention to detail. It also pushes me to explore more. If I see the same cafés popping up in my feed repeatedly, I know it’s time to venture out and try something new.

HUDES: What’s the most unforgettable coffee experience you’ve had outside of LA?

Tommy Keiser: I follow cafés worldwide on social media and try different global roasters to understand various palates and roasting styles. My deep interest in global coffee culture grew during the pandemic, but I’ve only had a few in-person experiences outside the US. Japan is at the top of my list.

I’ve toured Italy twice since getting into coffee, and the most memorable experience was visiting Gran Caffè Gambrinus in Napoli. It’s considered a temple to Neapolitan espresso. Italian coffee culture, especially the espresso bar experience, is unmatched. It was eye-opening to see how integral espresso is to daily life.

I’m also fortunate to live near Kumquat, a local café that invites coffee professionals from around the world to brew on their bar. I’ve cupped alongside well-known figures in coffee, learning about their preferences and refining my palate. More cafés should embrace this practice—it connects people and deepens appreciation for coffee.

HUDES: If you could sit down for a coffee chat with anyone—past or present—who would it be?

Tommy Keiser: Tough question! If I had to choose within the coffee industry, I’d go with James Hoffmann or Lance Hedrick for their passion and storytelling. If I could talk to someone from the past, maybe one of the early espresso pioneers—Moriondo, Bezzera, or Pavoni. Or all three! That would be an interesting conversation.

HUDES: Music and coffee often go hand in hand. Do you have a specific song, album, or genre that defines your coffee moments?

Tommy Keiser: I gravitate toward jazz, nu-disco, and psychedelic rock. I also love two YouTube channels—My Analog Journal and Flavour Trip. Highly recommend them.

HUDES: What’s a personal philosophy or mantra you live by?

Tommy Keiser: Thoughts become things. I believe in manifestation, and I owe that mindset to my wife, Chelsea.

HUDES: Is there a particular project or direction you’re excited to explore next with?

Tommy Keiser: I’m looking forward to more global café visits—Japan is at the top of my list. Since my daughter, Valentine, was born, I’ve also been more drawn to outdoor adventures. I’m building a field kit to brew coffee in nature, which I’ll feature more this year.

Field kit by Tommy

I’m also working on some exciting, top-secret projects in the coffee industry, as well as a personal project that started during the pandemic. I plan to reveal more in 2025.

HUDES: What’s one message you’d like to share with people who love coffee and storytelling?

Tommy Keiser: Stay curious—especially in times like these.