I’ve been a budding food photographer for a few years now. I know how to light and photograph the food but I don’t cook. Well, food styling doesn’t really require cooking skills… it requires innovation and art skills!
I took a mini-class on food styling by Suzy Eaton. Suzy is a food stylist based in Utah but she travels the country styling food and other commercial photo shoots for big corporate clients. The class was hosted at pictureline in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Suzy Eaton demonstrates how to style a hamburger
The class had a number of photographers and food bloggers in attendance. We learned some tips and tricks on styling hamburgers, ice cream, and frosting a glass for beverages. This is the kind of styling that you don’t want to eat the food afterwards. There is a generous use of pins, glue, and uncooked food. You also can use oil and water mixed with glycerin.
Video screen for food styling class at pictureline
Here is a photo inside of Suzy’s took kit. These are just some of the tools of the trade. I’ve been slowly building up my own kit. Hooray for t-pins, tweezers, toothpicks, and more! This give me some inspiration to practice my hand at food styling.
Inside a food stylists took kit
Suzy also demonstrated the easiest way to create realistic condensation on a glass. You want beverages to look cool and refreshing. And you can use fake ice cubes. After the demonstration we broke into teams and we created a hamburger, beer, and potato chip setup.
Suzy Eaton demonstrates how to create condensation for a frosty glass of beer
On our team, Alex did the beer.
Alex styled the beer cup
One tip for cheese… use a heat gun from Home Depot. Don’t melt cheese with veggies nearby… the veggies will wilt.
A heat gun from Home Depot is used to melt cheese
I styled the hamburger. It isn’t perfect. I should have had more cheese in the front. However, Suzy did judge the different team entries and our team won! So does that mean I am an award winning food stylist? No, not yet. But it is an ego boost.
My team’s attempt at a hamburger, fries and a beer. We won!
Here is a photo of Suzy judging the different entries.
Suzy Eaton judges food styling of hamburgers and beer
