Women Beyond A Certain Age is an award-winning podcast covering issues of interest to older women. |
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Making Food Beautiful is My Passion
by Denise Vivaldo
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Almost 20 years ago we started teaching food styling workshops. Because we received so many emails from chefs, caterers and students wanting to break into food styling, Cindie suggested we start teaching.
During those 20 years, we found having a strong culinary background helps, as does having strong visual skills. That’s why many designers, pastry chefs, artists and photographers also make good food stylists.
And, in this current economic marketplace, many of our students are cookbook authors who style their own photos to stay within tight budgets.
Hundreds of workshops later...across this country and the world...we found ourselves grounded with pandemic restrictions. To stay productive (and sane) during quarantine we started producing a series of online video food styling classes. These classes demonstrate classic styling techniques that teach you how to conquer single subjects (like whole roasted chicken, burgers, and pasta) and how to perfect your portfolio. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge to land commercial accounts. Over half of our videos are free! Included below is the handout for 10 Tips to Improving Your Food Photography. Watch the video here!
Just in case you need reminding, The Food Stylist’s Handbook is available on Amazon. It's where you'll find all the tips, tricks and techniques you'll need to set up your business, find work and excel in that work. Our book helps push you in the right direction!
Write when you get work!
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10 TIPS TO IMPROVING YOUR FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
by Denise Vivaldo and Cindie Flannigan
1. Have a clear vision of what you’re selling. Are you selling the food, the plate or the lifestyle? Be clear on what you want to achieve with your photos.
2. Have multiples of whatever you’re shooting (i.e., burgers, pies, etc.) so you have lots of pieces to play with.
3. Go through your product and get rid of anything wilted, old or unsightly. Get the best-looking product to work with before you start cooking, plating, propping or lighting.
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4. Undercook the food. Food loses moisture and shrinks as it cools. Cook food only long enough so it no longer looks raw. If your food needs to be darker you can always blast it with a kitchen torch or a heat gun or color with a bit of Kitchen Bouquet.
5. When designing a plate or environment for your photo, consider color (contrasting or complimentary), texture, movement and balance. The elements in your photo should lead your eye happily around, encouraging you to explore. Move elements that create a stagnant composition.
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6. Create elevation and movement. Prop food up from the back to create definition. Make a hidden base under food to hold it in place using shortening, damp paper towels, cosmetic wedges, or even cold mashed potatoes. Food that is too flat lacks highlights and shadows; create some by lifting the layers and adding bits of extra food in between. |
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7. Plan for the use of garnishes. Have appropriate herbs, lemon or limes, salt flakes, cracked pepper or extra ingredients to use if needed. Sometimes all you need is a little extra color or an interesting element.
8. Know that room temperature food photographs better than hot food. Make food appear hot by adding moisture and shine. Spray food with PAM or water or brush with a little corn syrup or oil.
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9. Less is more. Appreciate how the camera’s eye is different than your eye. You don’t need to have a sliced mushroom in every square inch of your food to know that it contains sliced mushrooms; a few will get your point across without making the image overly complicated.
10. Develop your own style by studying food photographs you like. What do they have in common? What don’t you like? What do you love?
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SPEAKING OF FOOD STYLING CLASSES...
We've just launched a series of video classes on Podia! We'll be adding content regularly and some of it is completely and joyously free! Head on over to our newly updated Food Styling Workshop website or straight to Podia. Here are just a few of our current classes:
Food stylists build their kits over time to their specific needs. Every stylist's kit is different. In their free video, Denise shows you what basics you need in your kit and what they are used for. Free!
3 hours of everything you need to know to style these classics for $95
Your portfolio is often the first and only chance you have to make a great impression on prospective clients. Make sure your photos are effectively selling your services. We will deconstruct your portfolio and tell you how to improve your images so you can get more work! 1 hour of intensive portfolio therapy with Denise and Cindie.
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Find our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Podbean. Visit our website to catch up on past episodes, get recipes and find out what we have planned for the future!
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We can really use your help getting the WBACA podcast out there. The best thing you can do to help is to click the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or wherever else you listen to podcasts. Give us a nice review! I don’t think anyone actually reads them so you could just say pirates are forcing you to write a review from their old-timey pirate ship in exchange for your freedom. But! The more stars and reviews we have the more visible our podcast will be. And for that you have our everlasting gratitude. If you are one of the first 5 people to email Cindie at womenbeyond@icloud.com and mention my pirate silliness you'll get a little holiday surprise mailed to you! Open to anyone with a US mailing address.
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Find Denise’s books on Amazon. Find out more about Denise here and here. Cindie Flannigan does everything technical and internet-related; find out more about her here. Email us at WomenBeyond@icloud.com
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