Photo Shoot with Unilever + Meijer Stores

Excited to share a recent shoot with Arc Worldwide, Unilever and Meijer Stores collaboration. Ice cream 7 days a week is fine by me! We created 7 tasty and vibrant shots of ice cream and their recipes you could make every day of the week. A really fun play on words and even better treats! Couldn’t of been possible without the amazing support of AgencyMJ, Rocket To The Moon and the entire crew:

Food Stylist: Charlotte Omnes

Prop Stylist: Maya Rossi

Studio: Space28

Assistants: Regina Tamburro, Desmond Reich

Rita's Italian Ice Photo Shoot

So excited to finally share some new work I shot for Rita’s Italian Ice! Growing up with the brand this was a dream client to be able to work with. I worked with food stylist Alise Arato for the week capturing all sorts of Italian ices, custards, hand scoops. It was so fun and tasty of course! Looking forward to the next one, and keep an eye out for the new images.

1 - Reeses Concretes copy.jpg

3 - Gummy Bear Ice copy.jpg

4 - Frozen Coffee copy.jpg

11 - Unicorn Cone & Gelati copy.jpg

13 - Fall Concretes copy.jpg

15 - Unicorn Cone & Cups copy.jpg

16 - Strawberry n' Cream copy.jpg

Photo Shoot BTS: Shoo Fry

Cheesesteak Poutine

A lot of my work takes me to the studio photographing recipes, and advertising work. Sometimes however I get to work on location! There was a new restaurant opening; really the first of it’s kind I’ve seen in the U.S. specializing in poutine. This new concept was in need of some professional photography. The buzz about this restaurant opening was growing quickly and they needed photography for their menu, website, and PR releases. Their current images were snap shots from their phone and were not of great quality. The graphic designer of the restaurant found me and thought I would be a good fit. How could I say no to a fun place like this.

Not everyone is familiar with this amazing treat but poutine originates from Canada, actually where the owners found the idea in the first place. The basic recipe consists of fries topped with cheese curds and brown gravy. This restaurant has taken it to another level with several other combinations any late night go-er would want or even a lunch rush option. We used to day of shooting to capture their different varieties of poutine as well as a couple slider options they were offering. The franchisee that was there mentioned sliders weren’t as popular and were hoping to create a new need for them. They were simple but delicious and not your normal thing you could order. Also another unique and tasty item they offered were milkshakes! You cannot go wrong with a “Tommy Like Wingy” poutine with a Little Baby’s Ice Cream milkshake; heaven!

While we were there and with brown paper still on the facade people were still asking if we were open yet?? I think they will be very successful in their poutine business.

Chef Chris Koch: Ice Cream Shoot

I've known Chef Chris for awhile now but have not had the opportunity to work together! We found time to collaborate on a fun project anyone could enjoy; ice cream :)

We discussed prior to the shoot date on what we wanted to accomplish. The type of ice cream, using real and fake ice cream, as well as the look and feel of each shot. Chris's amazing talent of making fake ice cream made for some great shots.

Food Stylist: Chris Koch

July is National Hot Dog Month, Ice Cream Month...

As well as

• National Blueberry Month
• National Anti-Boredom Month
• Unlucky Month for weddings
• National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

Being 4th of July ; day representing our freedom the most American thing to do is eat hot dogs and ice cream so these things top my list!

Just getting back from a much needed vacation in Kitty Hawk, NC with the family. I certainly had my fair share of hots dogs and ice cream.

Honey and Cinnamon ice cream with Reese's Pieces

Food Stylist Cindy Epstein

Photo By: Carl Kravats

Cindy Epstein

Food Styling & Culinary Consulting

http://www.cindyepstein.com/

1. Did you grow up in Philadelphia? How did you end up on the west coast?

Actually, I grew up in a small town in NE Ohio. I transferred to Philly in 1980 with the company I was working with at the time, and spent 20 years there. It's a great city and with a wonderful history and fabulous architecture! I lived in Chester County and I miss all the old buildings and homes; I also miss fall colors and walking in the woods.

In 2003 my husband and I moved to San Diego. It was time to leave the snow and ice and we both owned companies that could easily relocate, so we sold our house, packed up, and moved to San Diego.

2. Did you ever have a dream or another direction you wanted to go for as a occupation?

I've had several careers. I usually do something for about 10 years and then have an itch to do something new. I'm an entrepreneur at heart. Prior to food styling, I owned a very successful catering company and gourmet market in suburban Philly. I'm actually thinking about starting an artisanal ice cream company.

3. How do you handle syrup on a pancake shot?

Dark Karo syrup, chilled, in a squeeze bottle, with the top pancake sprayed with Scotch Guard.

4. Does the majority of your work put you in a studio setting? Elsewhere?

Yes, most of my work is in a studio, but TV commercials are often on location. Studios are often usually easier to work in because I have a kitchen, but I've had to set up kitchens in garages, on patios, and outdoors. I did one huge job for a client on the second floor of an office building with no elevator or sink and I had to cook in the copy room. The stairs would have been fine, but we had huge coolers, over 150 pounds of food, and it was just my assistant and I.

5. Do you feel you’ve learned the most with experience on-set or by reading books about styling?

Books are wonderful learning tools, but a good stylist is always learning and practicing new techniques. Practice, practice, practice: the best advise I got from two of my mentors. On the set it's about being an excellent problem solver, and often new techniques are created in a pinch.

6. Where do you go for your inspirations? Are you able to incorporate them into your styling?

I subscribe to a number of food magazines, and although I don't always have time to read all the articles,  I do study all the photos. I also look at food photographers' websites for lighting ideas, but inspiration comes from everywhere: looking at fabrics and textures, antique stores and garage sales, gardens, grocery stores, and a lot of day dreaming. Photography is all about light, so learning how to carefully observe and play with light is a lot fun, and of course, lighting sets a mood allowing me to adapt the food to the mood. I love to do still lifes with food to create painterly images.

7. Other than photographers, do you find food styling a needed service elsewhere?

Sure, there's a lot of work in TV and film, especially for TV commercials and movies. I also do a lot of TV segments for cookbook tours and satellite media tours.

8. Any dream client you hope to style for one day?

I already did: Martha Stewart and The Food Network.

9. Your favorite food?

By far and away, ice cream!

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Felicia Perretti is a commercial food and beverage photographer and director based in New York City. She works nationally with food and beverage clients in advertising, packaging, editorial, and video. She has worked with food and drink in all shapes and knows how to craft the right team to get the job done! Her passion for food and beverage shine through on set as well as outside of work in her everyday life. Whether it’s trying new restaurants, traveling, or cooking with her husband Joe. Send her an email or give a call to discuss your next project, she would be more than happy to chat!