Blogging | Food Photography:
Look how far I've come.
One of my favorite photos and recipe of
Charred Shishito Peppers with Chipotle Yum Yum Sauce
Let me say that I am a Chef. I went to Culinary School. I don’t have any formal training in the photography world. I have learned a lot from You Tube videos, blog posts by food photographers and online courses. I am very much a beginner but I feel like I have come very far…scroll down for BEFORE photos – I took 3 years ago!
I don’t know anything. Like really. In regards to photography and food photography, I am a novice. Like a beginner beginner.
I have a fancy Canon camera (I don’t know how to operate most of it), an Iphone, lots of props, countless napkins and unique forks and a stand that holds my phone when I record videos. That’s basically it.
It’s been trial and error. More error than success, but I do sense progress. I see it.
Where it started.
My husband gifted me some time with a local food photographer. She was basically the shit and still is. Jennifer Olson sat down with me and taught me about my camera, positioning, light, and even some editing tools. It was SO over my head. It was a lot of knowledge for someone right out of culinary school.
I remember being at a clients home, whipping up something delicious and SOOO wanting to take a picture of it. BUT let’s be honest, these photos were taken on their back deck, on a bench or on top of a doormat. I can’t make it up. SERIOUSLY a doormat. Check out those brownies – on a dirty doormat. And that Moo Shu Pork – well, that pan was SO hot, I almost tripped going out the back door of my clients home and slammed it down on their patio table. Snapped a picture and called it good.
And don’t get me started with including my bare feet and awkward hand positioning.
Before : Photos from 3 years ago.
The hot sauce drizzle, lack of color and interest and zero props…just one white kitchen towel and awkward hand positioning.
What I've learned.
Here is what I DO know.
- Natural light wins every time. I use a coffee table, dining room table or moveable tray near a large window. No direct light is needed and cloudy days work great. Find your favorite window and it should work at all hours of the day.
- Use what you have. I had a white poster board hanging out in our storage room and I grab that to block some of the light or bounce it back to where I need it. I have old kitchen towels, random cloth napkins, family gifted silverware and random small dishes (that I never really used before) – just use it and experiment.
- Add in different texture and color elements, behind, under or besides the plate. I also love using parchment paper and wire racks for added interest.
- Bringing in glassware, flowers and side condiments – I’ve been slowing working on this.
- Be practical – with placement of props. Don’t force it. Make it look real – like you are about to sit down to the meal.
What's my style?
When looking back at my most favorite food photos within the last year – I clearly have a style.
I tend to take over head shots of the food. I like the birds eye view, the most. I tend to favor that, because I can get more in the shot, of what I think, I would want to see when I sit down to eat – whatever meal it is.
I like using a napkin, fork (or serving element) and fresh herbs or a bright color is a must.
I’ve taken many photos where, I don’t love them…and looking back, they didn’t have a good color balance, textures or anything that pulled the eye into the photo.
Behind the scenes.
For most of my pictures, real life is happening. The majority of my photos are taking on my kitchen counter, living room coffee table, dining room table or several small surfaces or backgrounds that I move to the floor or a small table by a window full of natural light.
Since real life is happening close by – you will see dirty dishes, art projects, a collection of half full drink glasses, ingredients from another recipe or my blog notebook – that I have everywhere.
I’m usually covered in any one or two of the ingredients. You can count on me whipping my hands off on a kitchen towel near by or my infamous apron.
Can you spot the Instant Pot bowl or the camera tri-pod base?
Kick ass Women in Photography +
Resources that have helped me
I’ve met all 3 of these women. They are amazingly talented and I’ve learned so much from them. Check them out here.
Joni Schrantz (She took my headshots)
Bloggers and Online Resources
Cookie and Kate She keeps teaching me about practice, practice, practice.
Pinch of Yum This blog has helped me with SO much more than photography. I visit their blog, 1-2 times per week.
Barley and Sage So much valuable information on Kyleigh’s blog. I could read it for hours.
And real inspiration from, A Beautiful Mess, Matt Armendariz and Smitten Kitchen
This article in Saveur, by Todd Coleman taught me about adding a personal touch – like a hand to create movement to your photos.
A long read, but worth it. 99 Food Photography Tips To Blow Your Mind
Looking back.
I highly recommend looking back at your career, or the beginning of a hobby, blog or heck, even your relationship. And really looking at how far you have come. Your personal growth, the journey and everything you have accomplished.
I have found that it puts where you are right now, into perspective. Shows you where you were and where you are now.
When I look at photos from 3-5 years ago, that I thought looked great. WHAT was I thinking? Well, they each might have tasted amazing – I knew nothing about plating, light, colors, depth, and leaving my bare-feet out of the shoot.
But look at the accomplishments now.
And just for fun.
My headshots all the way from the very beginning of my business, fresh out of Culinary school taken with a self timer in my back yard to a few years ago with a professional behind the camera.
If you got this far. Thanks for reading.
I look forward to sharing in another couple of years. The growth. The changes. What I’ve learned.
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