Snapshot Spotlight: Katie from goodLife {eats}

Name: Katie

Blog Name: goodLife {eats}

When and why did you start getting into food photography?
Last fall I started a recipe blog as a place to share all my favorites, new things I’d tried, and family recipes. I thought it would be nice to have them all in one place and that it would make it so easy to share the recipes with friends and family who asked. I thought it would be neat someday to make a Blurb Book using their Blog Book option. I knew the book would be so much more interesting with pictures in it. I still may do that someday…

What equipment do you use?
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5
Photoshop CS

Would you please share one of your first food photographs with us?

Coconut Curry Chicken Soup

What has been your absolute favorite food photograph you have taken? Why is this photo your favorite?

My favorite photo changes a lot because I’m still learning so much. Kristen would disagree, but I still consider myself a newbie blogger/food photographer. I’m still figuring out how to set things up and how to maximize my point and shoot camera.

Right now, this is my favorite photo:

Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins

But a month or so ago I would have chosen this one, and I still like it, but it’s not my favorite. I felt really special when my adopt-a-blogger partner told me that she thought that picture was from a magazine. I couldn’t believe that I actually took a great picture!

Creamy Vanilla Apricot Sorbet

And I still drool over this picture of my Cannoli Cookies:

Cannoli Sandwich Cookies

Describe your typical food photography setup:

Being mobile depending on what time of day I’m photographing has really helped me take the best pictures I know how. I’m in the small formal dining room in the morning with sheer curtains drawn to filter the harsh light coming through the window. It’s my favorite spot and the kitchen is too dark in the morning. In the afternoon (and evening during the summer) I’m in the kitchen at my island or kitchen table.

Please share some tips that you think other food bloggers will find helpful when photographing food:
These are pretty basic, but once I was clued in I started seeing a big improvement in my photos. The first was figuring out that I shouldn’t use the flash. Having a white poster board opposite your light source really helps bounce the light.  Learning that white dishes photography nicely. Having the confidence to submit photos to foodgawker and Tastespotting even if they’re rejected and actually taking their advice on what was wrong with the picture. Picking up clearance pieces (table cloths, placemats, plates and bowls) to keep the pictures interesting. I take lots of photos for each post and pick the ones I like best. If I’m not happy about how it turned out, I don’t post it because I want my blog to reflect the best work I’m capable of at any given time. I’ve learned so much from other bloggers that at this current day my “best work possible” is better than it was 2 months ago.

Thank you, Katie! If any of you would be interested in being featured for an upcoming Snapshot Spotlight, please email me at admin <at> culinarysnapshot.com

Tagged as: food photography, Photography tips, point and shoot camera, snapshot spotlight food blog