Consultation
Case studies
The consultation service offers guidance, advice and planning to help restaurants, caterers and other food businesses achieve beautiful food photography.
Please read the case studies below to learn how I worked with some amazing food businesses and how it changed their outlook and approach to food styling and photography.
One Dining
One Dining is part of the One Events Group specialising in high end event catering for private functions, weddings, PR events and more for clients such as Marks & Spencers, Chivas and Esquire.
Services
Working closely with the in-house chefs and marketing team, we looked at their current photography and worked with them to elevate the way the presented and plated food specifically for marketing purposes and offered the following services:
• On site preliminary meeting & tasting - to discuss current plating and serving
• Moodboard, concepts and feedback - to achieve a sense of style and consistency throughout
• Prop styling - suggestion of crockery, serving platters and overall set dressing
• Food styling - how to prepare/cook food with the sole intent of being camera ready
• On the day styling and art direction - dressing plates, arranging composition and set dressing
The result
One Dining were so happy with the success of their first shoot, they booked several more and had an increase in client enquiries from the site and via their marketing collateral.
Chef’s Social
The concept behind Chef’s Social was to make the photoshoot a full day social experience. Bringing together high end chefs from top London restaurants, food bloggers and recipe developers in one place where everyone could meet, discuss their love of food, ideas, trends, recipes and techniques. The location for the shoot was at Backgrounds Prop Hire, who have a wonderful studio space with a well equipped kitchen and, of course, access to the vast array of props they stock downstairs.
Services
As part of the day each chef had:
• On site meeting & feedback - to discuss current plating and serving
• Prop styling - walk through in the prop house picking out props and backgrounds to use on the day
• Food styling - how to prepare/cook food with the sole intent of being camera ready
• On the day styling and art direction - dressing plates, arranging composition and set dressing
The result
The day was a great success with many chefs learning about food photography and styling techniques as well as understanding how props, backgrounds and art direction can take their food creations to the next level. Many are using the images on their social media as well as for press releases and marketing.
Fat Boys Diner
Fat Boys Diner is a unique dining experience, located in the trendy Container City, part of Trinity Buoy Wharf, also home to London's only Lighthouse. Diners eat in the original 1940's classic-American diner, complete with counter seats, jukebox and original design gems! The menu includes all the diner 'classics' such as burgers, hotdogs, milkshakes, pancakes, and more.
Services
Working with the owner and in-house chef, the following services were offered:
• On site preliminary meeting & tasting - to discuss menu and styling
• Moodboard, concepts and feedback - to achieve a sense of style and consistency throughout
• Prop styling & sourcing - suggestion of crockery, glassware and overall set dressing. Props were supplied by James Green & Nephew
• Food styling - how to prepare/cook food with the sole intent of being camera ready
• On the day styling and art direction - dressing plates, arranging composition and set dressing
The result
The images were well received and increased awareness and footfall of his quirky little gem in London.
Harvest Afro-Caribbean
Located on the doorstep of Windsor Castle, Harvest Afro Caribbean celebrates the fusion of African and Caribbean flavours. Headed up by Rachel and Osa, the food is bright, vibrant and packed full of flavour. This vibrancy had to come across in their food photography to entice new customers to visit this amazing new restaurant.
Services
Working with the owner and in-house chef, the following services were offered:
• Food styling - how to prepare/cook food with the sole intent of being camera ready
• On the day styling and art direction - assembling plates, arranging composition and set dressing
The result
Excellent feedback on the final images from both the owners and customers. The bold colours and vibrancy has been key in the overall design of their website and social marketing.
© Mandy Thompson Food Ltd 2023. All Rights Reserved.