This is a guest post series by photographer Evi Abeler. If you would like to write about food photography on learn food photography, visit guest post page to learn more.
In the first post, Evi shared how she got started and how you can start in food photography. In second post, we learned about food photography portfolio event. Third post was about first photography shoot for restaurant. In her fourth post, Evi showed us her food photography studio and in the fifth post, she shared her first food video.
In this post, Evi shares experience from her first photo shoot with food stylist Laurie Knoop.
Food Photo Shoot with a Food Stylist
A couple of weeks ago I discovered that established food stylist Laura Knoop lives in my neighborhood. I contacted her, we met for coffee, she liked my work and we decided to do a test shoot in her great Harlem studio. So far I have styled all photos myself, or with the help of a chef or assistant but I have reached my limits and was looking forward to work with a pro! We decided to shoot a summer salad scene with a light salad, baguette, a plate of prosciutto, cheese, and water.
The Process:
We went to a local supermarket and picked the best looking greens, prosciutto and a baguette. It is funny to evaluate a baguette for good looks! We also came across some handsome looking fern tips, mushrooms and radishes that we picked for still-lifes. Back in the studio we selected plates, silver wear and napkins. We set up a rustic looking table top next to the window. While Laurie prepared the ingredients for the salad I set-up my gear: tripod, camera, laptop, reflectors and tried to warm up with a few still-lifes:
I tried to find a good angle for the salad dish with empty props. After the setting and the light looked right Laurie brought the salad and refreshed it with water.
Then we fiddled around with the salad, mushrooms on/off, different items in the background:
Once we were satisfied we moved on to the bigger scene:
….and the final adjusted and cropped photo:
…and wuuush, the day was over!
It makes a big difference to work with a stylist. Everything looks so much better, it saves time and I was able to focus on the light, composition, angel etc, without needing to worry about preparing the food too. I can really see now why a professional shoot needs a food stylist, a prop stylist and an assistant! It was a great experience to work with Laurie. She made lots of suggestions, shared stories and advice form her experience, we laughed and ate fern tips!!
I had a great day, and am even more sure that I want to be a food photographer!
So long,
Evi
PS: and Laurie’s inventory of props is gorgeous. She even has a shelf with cakes:
Over to You…
How was your experience with a food stylist? IF you are a food photographer, how was your experience with a food photographer? Share with us.
All photographs are copyright property of Evi Abeler and should not be used without her permission.
Now that you have taken pictures for a restaurant and you have gotten to work with a stylist, would you bring the stylist with you to your next restaurant photo session?
In the ideal world you would have a food stylist, a prop stylist, an assistant and a whole day at the restaurant to photograph. But only a small number of restaurants would want to pay for all that or think it is necessary. I think it makes a big difference to have a stylist and I am definitely encouraging my clients to invest in high quality imagery.
I finally got to read this today. It’s great to learn about your experiences. We usually call the fern tips, a seasonal delicacy, ‘fiddleheads’ here in Canada. They are the immature tips of the ostrich fern before it fully opens out in the spring.