how did you meet a chef Rae?
Chef Rae was actually introduced to me through a fellow colleague! Although months passed before we got the chance to work together, I believe in divine timing and everything happening exactly when they’re meant to.
Chef Rae, a seasoned chef with over 10 years of experience, was an absolute joy to collaborate with. As we bonded over our shared ADHD tendencies, I knew this project would be as fun as it was fulfilling.
Working with Chef Rae was a dream. She wasn’t just a passive client—she actively contributed ideas and brought all the food equipment, including these high quality backgrounds. It’s rare to find a collaborator as invested in the photography process as you are, and it made this project feel like a true team effort.
Preparing for the Photoshoot
The preparation started over coffee, where we brainstormed how this shoot could benefit both of us. This was a first for both of us—me working with a chef and her collaborating with a photographer—so we began with the basics. We discussed how the photos would be used (her app launching next year, website, social media, and marketing), what dishes we’d shoot, and how to align on a visual style.
After the meeting, we put together a mood board and a shot list. Though I didn’t stick to the shot list religiously, it came in clutch for keeping things organized and when I brain farted. We communicated primarily through my CRM client portal, ensuring everything stayed streamlined and organized - which is perfect if you are an entrepreneur living with ADHD/ADD.
The Photoshoot: Lighting, Challenges, and Adjustments
The big day arrived, but it came with its own surprises! While Chef Rae was cooking, her oven decided it was the perfect time to quit on us. With limited time, we pivoted and focused on two beautiful dishes: Hot Smoked Wild-Caught Salmon with Collard Green Chimichurri, and Okra and Nduja Black Rice Stuffed Red Bell Peppers.
Lighting was my primary focus during this shoot. I recently received feedback that my food photos might lean a bit too dark. While I embrace the dark and moody aesthetic, and it was cringe to have someone saying something, not good, about my photos, my art... I realized food photography demands a different approach, and, if anything, how grateful I was to have someone give me true constructive feedback. Only because someone says they do not like your style, does not mean you are bad or don't know what you are doing... it mostly means your style is not aligned with their subjective artistic style. For me, I chose to diversify myself and try something different, while remaining true to my Dark & Moody style. So I really focused on directional lighting, and how to better manipulate lighting to achieve the the look I desired. This shoot was my opportunity to grow and apply some new techniques, ideas to get a newer result, and I think I nailed it! (you should not try new things when on paid shoots. I let Chef Rae know that I was trying something different, but I assured her regardless these photos will be a great start and help if she decides to use them.)
We used the lounge area of Chef Rae's apartment, with their permission. The area had large windows that were perfect for natural light, but for the look I wanted, I needed minimal ambient light (Studio Lighting). By lowering the ISO to the minimum and setting my aperture to around f/5.6, I managed to get the results I was aiming for using off-camera flash.
It was a tight two-hour shoot, but we made the most of it and captured some stunning images.
GEAR & EDITING
Here’s a breakdown of the equipment and techniques I used:
Camera: Canon T7i (I bought mine on FB market place with 2 lenses for the same price)
Lighting: Godox V1, Godox V860II, Godox X-Pro(c) trigger
Lighting Modifiers: Glow Octa Silver Beauty Dish (enhance specular highlights)
Stands: Tripod Lighting Stands, boom arm used for overhead shots
Backgrounds: Provided by Chef Rae linked in "How did you meet Chef Rae?"
During the session, I tethered my camera to my laptop for a short time because I forgot to bring my computer charger that was perfectly rolled up on my bed when I returned. Although Tethering can be a pain in the sense it's more equipment to bring, and if your travel system is not where it needs to be, it can be a nuisance, I love doing it so much! Tethering is great for any type of photography as you can get a real time look at the photo and make real time edits BEFORE you get back home and find out that BANGER shot... was actually not in focus! 🥲🫠🫥 It's just about having the space for it, and the equipment. Ideally, I'd tether it to an iPad due to it being easier to transport, and I don't have to risk taking my laptop.
For editing, I aimed for a vibrant cookbook-style finish. Normally, I tone down colors, but this time, I left them bold and even increased vibrance slightly... I made sure to get my lighting close to how I wanted it in camera. I also experimented with combining the crispness of the photos with the softness of the matte look, which turned out beautifully—you’ll see both styles in the gallery!
I also wanted to dip my toes in making flyer templates that I can offer to clients in their packages so they'll have some ready to post content!
What did I learn??
Now, if you are collabing, having sessions, or just your own personal projects, you will always walk away learning something new! This shoot taught me a lot of good things to hold in my hip pocket… from managing time better during the session, gauging what is an appropriate amount of time for a session, to small things I wouldn’t know, or would’ve taken time to find out like letting clients know to undercook their food for photoshoots so it is camera ready, and other small details you just don’t know… till you know. In addition to all of that, I’m proud of the results and grateful for the growth this experience brought me.
If you are starting, and you are scared to make mistakes, know mistakes will happen... you just have to scientifically extract the lesson from it. While none of these things were bad, or traumatic 🚑, I have had some. Those mistakes only let me know how to move going forward until I meet another mistake, and take its lesson
Check out the gallery!
Take a look at the stunning dishes we captured by clicking the button below. I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment with your favorite photo or feedback. Your input means the world to me!
Thank you for joining me on this behind-the-scenes journey. I hope it gave you a glimpse into the joy and effort behind food photography!
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