The Wintersweet Photo Shoot

 

Following up on my trip to Philly, here's a peek into the photo shoot for my cookbook, Wintersweet. Above are food stylist Ricardo Jattan and his assistant Curt working on that day's recipes. Below is Steve Legato, photographer extraordinaire. The shoot took place in his spacious, light-filled studio.


How it worked was this: Ricardo and Curt would make the selected recipes (about 40 in all) in the studio kitchen. Amanda, the book's art designer, coordinated with Mariellen, the prop stylist, to select the right plates and props from several tables' worth of platters, bowls, plates, trays, and linens. Ricardo, a successful movie production designer who does food styling in his spare time, would artfully arrange the dessert on the chosen serving vessel, selecting just the right honey-roasted pear to feature (known as the "hero"). That includes making sure the caramel drips seductively in all the right places and the nuts are scattered attractively. It's trickier than it looks. Here Amanda is razzing Ricardo for trying to sneak an unwanted mint garnish into one of the shots.


Meanwhile, Amanda and Mariellen set up the appropriate backgrounds on the set: sometimes old cabinet doors or boards, sometimes fancy papers. Steve adjusted the lights and made various other calibrations that I can't even begin to understand.


Photos were taken, adjusted, cropped, snapped again, adjusted again, props swapped out, frosting dabbed just so, snapped again, etc., etc. You might start with something like this:


…and end up with something like this:


See the swirls in that napkin? Those are not accidental. This is why I will never amount to anything as a food stylist. I unceremoniously plop the napkin down right after using it to smear some ketchup across my face.


Mmmm, whoopie pies! Frankly, I was in my glory sitting back and watching everyone else do the hard work. I didn't have to lift a finger. The process was fascinating to watch, and I had so much fun. Such a nice and talented group! A huge thanks to the whole crew, as well as my editor Kristen Green Wiewora at Running Press and my agent Melissa Sarver.


I know you're probably tired of hearing me drone on and on about this, but I cannot WAIT to see this book!!

Comments

[Donna]

Really interesting to see, Tammy!

[Susanna]

We cannot wait to see this book!!! And buy it! Multiple copies!

[Maureen]

I am getting so excited... hope you plan a book tour swing through Chicago!

[Mom]

Awesome! So many people have asked me about this!

[NancyB]

That's so cool- I love the door being held in place by the clamp for the back drop!
Looking forward to the book coming out.

[caitlin]

Now you can tell everyone you have a personal stylist!

[Susan]

Just looking at that photolab set-up, I know why my food photography will NEVER come close ... oh well, guess I'll go drown my sorrows in a cup of coffee and some date nut bread ... congrats on the cookbook ... can't wait to drool over it!