Food Photography for Puckett’s

The good folks at Spring Sprang in Franklin, TN did a bang up job on designing a wonderful site for Puckett’s Grocery. I was fortunate enough to be hired to do some food photography to help in the effort.

Now, Spring Sprang has just released a little behind the scenes video of the making of the site. You’ll find I have a small appearance.

Enjoy, if you please.

http://vimeo.com/6209607

- Kyle

“Frozen” Margarita Food Styling

Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen something look so good but be so toxic. This is made from a material that is designed to help plants grow … but it’s doing it’s job as a frozen margarita on set for food photography.

This morning I’m breaking down the set from the shoot late yesterday and the drink actually still looks half decent. One issue I ran into with this particular food styling technique was color. You’ll see from the images below that my formula looks more like a bellini than a margarita. So, in post production I had to swing color on the margarita portion.

I continue to work more on the drink and pour section of my food photography portfolio. Look for updates over the next few weeks. It’s yet another part of my work that I enjoy … it’s challenging, it’s technical, it’s creative … and it’s related to food!

Food Network Southern Food & Wine Festival

Well, it’s just a few days away from what will be an fun weekend. I’ve actually got a booth for the exhibitor hall at the upcoming Southern Food & Wine Festival at Gaylord Opry in Nashville. I think I’m looking most forward to seeing who the other exhibitors are. I wonder what fun kitchen utensil I’ll fall in love with. Will it be the lemon zester or the ceramic knife set?

At my booth passers-by will have the opportunity to be “shot with food”. I’ve got a couple fun photos that are large with a hole for people to stick their heads through. One is a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts and the other is a Le Crusset stock pot. It should be fun.

So, stay tuned. I’ll post photos after the even. For now, feel free to see my food photography site dreierstudio.com.

Food Photography Portfolio

I’m moments away from finishing the 2nd (dupicate) food photography portfolio. Doing a physical book is a great exercise. I’d gotten away from printing a nice big book thanks to the convenience of the Internet.

Getting back to the nice big prints (11 x 14) has helped me to really study my work rather than simply toss it up into cyber space. I’ve been forced to edit down to 36 images – unlike a website where there are no constraints. Additionally, going the extra distance in processing and color management for print is always a great way to sharpen the chops.

Now, with two complete food photography portfolios in hand, my rep can make more calls and appointments … hopefully so many that I’ll need to do portfolio #3.

-Kyle

Rotier’s Hamburger – Nashville

I received an assignment from Charlotte Magazine in North Carolina to photograph a famed burger from Rotier’s in Nashville, TN. How could I resist … that’s a dream assignment!

This is one of the outtakes from the food photography session. You’ll have to wait to see the selected food photographs until it is published.

Rotier

I sure love being a food photographer in Nashville.

- Kyle

Food. Test. Shoot.

I’m long overdue for a post to the bog, but things have been beyond busy.

I am very grateful for abundance of work these days, particularly with the news that airs nightly. Honestly, I think this is a great time to be in business for yourself … despite the unfair taxation. I digress.

Today I was putting together a few test shots for a potential client. This is probably my favorite way to shoot … loose parameters, flexible deadlines, and food. (disclaimer/confession: I did not sample the subjects, however I was highly tempted … these pepper jellies smell awesome.)

Raspberry Pepper Jelly, Blackberry Pepper Jelly and Strawberry Pepper Jelly.

Blackberry Pepper Jelly

Blackberry Pepper Jelly

That’s all for now.

-Kyle

Food. Photography. Red Pony.

I’ve recently shot a number of dishes for Red Pony Restaurant in downtown Franklin, TN. Here are a few of the shots. There are others but I have yet to fully process them.

Sushi from Red Pony - Franklin, TN

Shrimp - Red Pony - Franklin, TN

My only disappointment was that I didn’t get to taste what you see. It sure was tempting though. I can, however, vouch for their creme bruleé … and I’d be thrilled to vouch for it again, and again, and again.

If you’d like to see more see my food photography section of my portfolio.

You can also track me via my FaceBook Nashville Commercial Photographer page.

Cheers.

- Kyle Dreier

Mexican Food – SOL (sun) Style

Having grown up in Texas I’ve long searched for the perfect enchilada here in the Nashville, Tennessee area. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it. My wife and I have been here since 1998 and have yet to find what we would say is the perfect Mexican food experience.

In all honesty, it’s really not fair to any establishment here. Even if the food were equal to or better than that which we grew up on it’s likely it wouldn’t be “as good” since it’s not being served/consumed in the Lone Star State.

What’s all this have to do with my food photography? I was pleased to experience the tastes of SOL Restaurant while on a recent shoot in historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee … where I now call home. Franklin, not SOL Restaurant.

Herein are a few shots from our day … and the benefits for being a food photographer.

Shrimp Appetizer at SOL

Tamales from SOL Restaurant

Fresh, handmade guacamole made right at your table.

Mexican dessert - Churrros.

Once again, enjoy!

- Kyle Dreier

Seared Tuna Nachos, Oh My!

I’m not sure any words I can say would do this dish justice. It was a pleasure working with the chef and crew at SOL Restaurant in Franklin, TN on this food photography assignment. Franklin is a historic town just south of Nashville.

Seared Tune Nachos

Enjoy.

Kyle Dreier

Ugly? Coffee? Yummy!

Well, I’ve just finished up a shoot for Ugly Mug Coffee Company out of Memphis, Tennessee. Not only was this a fun product to shoot, the company is a great company to work for. They have a great mission … they basically support the coffee growers who are normally exploited. Gotta love a company with a heart.

Chai Latte

Ugly Mug Coffee

I’m looking forward to our next photo session to shoot more of their product.

- Kyle