The Gilded Pantry is a new food business being created by Claire, selling grazing, picnic and charcuterie boxes from a vintage caravan in Australia.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Claire was home while getting the business started. And so we used the opportunity to create a collection of photographs for her social media.
The idea was to photograph more than the finished food. I wanted to capture some of the preparation and thought behind it too. Details like Claire looking noting down recipes, picking herbs ,preparing ingredients and creating the food for her grazing boxes.
Behind the food
We spent the shoot photographing the different stages of Claire’s preparation, from the early ideas and ingredients through to the finished food.
There were cookbooks and handwritten notes, fresh herbs picked from the garden and lots of careful preparation. The food itself was beautifully fresh and thoughtfully put together, so there was plenty of detail to photograph along the way.
As this was her first photoshoot, Claire was understandably a little nervous about being photographed. So rather than making every image about her face, I looked for other ways to include her in the story.
Hands preparing food, a side view while she worked and small moments of activity allowed us to show the person behind the business without making her feel as though she constantly had to be in front of the camera.
I think those quieter photographs can often feel more natural. They show someone doing what they actually do, rather than asking them to stop and pose for the camera.
Creating a useful collection of images
The photographs were created for The Gilded Pantry’s social media while Claire gets the new business established. This gives her a collection of images to introduce the food, the process behind it and the person creating it.
For a new business, having photographs that show more than the finished product can be really useful. They give people an opportunity to see the care that goes into the food and to understand the personality behind the business.
For me, the best brand photography is about finding those natural moments. Processes such as hands at work, ingredients being prepared and little details that help tell the story of a business.
Have a story to tell ?
If you’re looking for photographs that capture the place, process and details behind your business, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.