Interning and Shooting

I had an opportunity to do my first shoot at IMSTEPF studios . I was asked to come up with three donut stories.

I was expected to pre produce, plan, shop, style, prop, and have something to contribute at a pre pro meeting about the donut story shoot, only the night before our multiple set shoot.

We had long pre production meeting about existing "donut stories". We talked the direction we'd like to go as collaborative group.

Our goal is to produce a finished body of work we could string together that has cohesion.

Initially, the whole thing seemed easy enough. My first shoot went..well..I guess I could say it went by too fast.

Some setbacks were learning how to use a few new pieces of equipment; styling the food itself; which is a pain, and getting my set together all for my first time.

I've done it before.. at school and independent projects. But this is a commercial studio; during my internship. This was a bit much to manage, juggle, toggle, organize, prioritize, and think about thoroughly. This was an equation with lots of variables that ran overtime.

In conclusion, I loved the idea of Bacon donuts! My star for this shoot and shot #1 out of the starting gate. Piece of CAKE,.. well donut. Wayyy ... way more difficult than it sounded. WHY?? I did not anticipate some details. For example, the bacon is dark and much darker than a powder white donut. Hmm... it becomes a technical lighting riddle to solve...being that that bacon is so dark in contrast to a white sugar donuts. It can be done.. just a bit more work. ahhh! Not so convenient or time saving:(

At the end of the day as well as the conclusion of my 2nd month here, it's been an amazing experience of learning, growing and expanding in the areas of anticipating, planning, projecting a vision of how I want to see the finished project, shot, and realizing a very satisfying result. There is more to come, for next update. Signing off for now: CG

Blue Diamond Smoothies

16 smoothies and days of prop production.. oh I meant pre-production from... well the Blue Diamond Almond growers. We love almonds and Huerta Quorum. HQ is the agency that does marketing for Blue Diamond. They sell it at Trader Joes if you haven't tried it. Really quite yummy. We collaborated with Barbara and Suzanne to finalize the plan before 2 days of shooting. Our beloved prop stylist Kira Wohlman came to the rescue and managed to sniff out every potential smoothie glass and matching theme available on the open/closed market. We published some of our favorites on our website FPLA or foodphotographylosangeles.com-- our new favorite place to share off new shots.

Fish and Fruit a Dole Party

Who could think fish and fruit fit together?

Well the diet dictocrats have alot to say about fruit and mixing it with anything other than itself.

A whole lot of segregation issues. They have bookloads to say on the topic of 'food combining" with fruit.

Nutrition trivia aside,

we found

ourselves spending hot summer days with our fruity friends at DOLE.

HQ was leading this one on setting the market a blaze for the mega fruit empire.

We called on Susan Kucera, our star fish food stylist to lead the way on this project.

The results were no less than stunning, fresh,

light, refreshing and exhilarating for our collaborating Art Directors, and Marketing managers alike.

Our Food Family

Our friends and family, like a spice cabinet, add eclectic depth and width to our visual palatte. Shiva, our food photography mascot, eats what we can't.

Our Connections And Resources

Welcome Foodie nation! Take a trip from beginning to end– all the way through our collection of connections.

Collaborators & Dealers: These are the photography people we prefer to watch. They guys and gals keep the equipment floor on it’s toes running a tight operation. Bob Wilde over at Samy’s keeps the good equipment rolling through the IMSTEPF roll up door. Wes Ferguson of Global Imaging visits with the latest info on technology and software advances as well as the benefits to upgrading or maintaining status quo. Chris Benes our buddy at Phase One is a constant and dependable source for insight and understanding from small adjustments on our digital backs to providing the latest release of digital back upgrades. In short the team listed below is a tight fit and optimal for the studio's highest quality performance for shoot days.