Sep 06 2010
The Importance of Food Styling
While I was putting together my post for the first Foodbuzz hosted Project Food Blog Challenge, I came across some really old posts that I wanted to share with you.
Around the end of 2006 – when I was in the late stage of pregnancy with my older son – I had A LOT of time on my hands and spent most of it in front of my computer doing research. I had been blogging for almost 2 years at that point, had practically 0 followers, and was generally unhappy with the way the food looked. Don’t get me wrong – my food tasted great, but presentation is key when you want people to read about what you cook.
One gloomy winter evening I stumbled upon La Tartine Gourmande and my blogging life has never been the same. She was just learning about food styling back then, and reading her posts and seeing how she styled her food opened a whole new world for me. I had never heard of food styling until then!
Thanks to Google and great food bloggers (like you guys) out there who are happy to post a tutorial or two on their blogs, it is easy to get access to the right information and learn how to style food and take good pictures.
So, today I’d like to share with you what a little inspiration and research can do if you set your mind to it:
Tostadas over 2 years. 2006 and 2008.
Pasta over 3 years. 2006 and 2009.
Baked Potato Chowder over 3 years. 2005 and 2008.
Apple Pie over 4 years. 2006 and 2010.
Ribs over 5 years. 2005 and 2010.
(Tomato Soup Picture above: Difference over 2 years. 2005 and 2007.)
thanks for sharing
lovely improvement on your photos 
just so nice to see
thanks
Betty Bake
I started blogging only a few months ago and I can definitely see a resemblance between my photos now and your old ones! I’m always trying to pick up styling tips, so I’m glad to see that overtime it’s possible to improve my camera skills. I hope that someday mine may look as good as your photos!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Like a fine wine we all improve with age:D
Loved the contrast – the pie shot is just amazing. You can almost taste the crust! So don’t get that with the first photo (though that too looks delicious).
Thanks for showing that it’s such a learning process!
[...] yesterdays very important post on Food Styling – I am almost embraced to post this picture. I rummaged through my refrigerator for quite a [...]
i have the same thing of the photography before i bought my dslr. haha those photos look so sad now compared. the camera makes a huge difference. as does really doing research into food styling and food photography.
Incredible contrast. It is amazing how much you have grown with your photography. This is the one thing I struggle the most with but I think like everything else time and practice helps
)
your food is beautiful. and you r command of lighting and styling has really frown over the past years. It’s a lot of hard work — well done! Theresa
I am in the “I need to take better photos…Now!” stage. Thank you for giving me some hope for improving!!!!
Great entry. I came to check out the competition and got so much more because honestly the food styling is my favorite part. You look strong. Good Luck. GREG
Thanks Greg! I am honored to have you stop by! I am a huge fan of sippitysup!
Wow, this is where I am at right now, few followers and a great deal of work on my blog, no satisfaction. Thanks for publishing this!