Introduction
Food photography is an art that requires skill, creativity, and often access to a well-equipped kitchen. For traveling food photographers or those without an in-home studio, turning a rental kitchen into a photography workspace can be a fun challenge. In this article, we will explore how food photographer Erin Kunkel transforms basic rental kitchens into beautiful and functional food photo studios.
Gathering the Necessary Equipment
When working in an unfamiliar rental kitchen, having the right photography equipment on hand is essential. Kunkel recommends packing the following:
- Digital SLR camera
- Tripod
- Reflectors and diffusers
- Backdrops and surface covers
- Props like utensils, linens, and dishes
- Portable lighting like flashes and LED panels
- Styling tools like tweezers, pipettes, and spritzer bottles
Don’t forget batteries and memory cards! Having backup equipment can also come in handy in case anything is damaged or malfunctions.
Assessing the Rental Kitchen
Once in the rental kitchen, Kunkel surveys the space to identify challenges and opportunities. Important factors include:
- Layout: Look for corners or spaces where photo setups can be staged apart from kitchen work and traffic flow.
- Lighting: Check for ample natural light from windows, or look into installing temporary portable lights.
- Walls and floors: Decide if backdrops or floor coverings are needed to hide flaws or create a cohesive look.
- Countertops: Evaluate if counters offer suitable surfaces for food styling or if temporary tabletops should be brought in.
- Appliances: Test all equipment like stoves, ovens, and sinks to ensure they are photography-friendly.
- Overall aesthetic: Determine what adaptations can elevate the look and feel of the space as a whole.
Optimizing the Space
A few adjustments can go a long way in transforming a kitchen into a studio. Kunkel recommends these optimization tips:
- Clear the counters completely to create open workstations for shooting. Store small appliances and tools out of sight.
- Hide visible flaws like outlet covers or switch plates using simple background materials.
- Enhance lighting by adding reflectors or portable lights and adjusting window blinds.
- Consider focal points and arrange appliances/decor to compose shots intentionally.
- Designate photo corners with backdrops and props staged for an authentic studio look.
- Add style through linens, flowers, and greenery to warm up the space.
Building a Photo-Ready Cooking Space
Having an efficient and photogenic cooking area is key for preparing recipes and getting those all-important food prep shots. To convert part of the kitchen for this purpose, Kunkel recommends:
- Cleaning thoroughly and removing anything not essential for cooking/shooting.
- Organizing cooking tools in attractive containers for easy access.
- Styling the stovetop with pretty kettles, herbs, and spices.
- Hanging visually appealing utensils like copper pots, metal whisks, and ceramic spoons.
- Combining form and function so the cooking space works for photography too.
Crafting Appealing Food Photos
Once the kitchen is prepped for its photo shoot, it’s time for the fun part—styling and capturing mouth-watering food photos! Kunkel’s tips include:
- Tell a story through ingredients, setting details, and dish placement.
- Use natural light and reflectors for bright, luminous photos.
- Focus on fresh, quality ingredients sourced locally when possible.
- Style simply with minimal props so the food is the star.
- Work quickly so hot food looks appealing before wilting.
- Shoot from multiple angles to highlight textures and dimensions.
- Edit sparingly to let the food’s bright colors and textures shine.
Final Touches for a Photography-Ready Space
Before wrapping up a rental kitchen food photography shoot, Kunkel recommends these final tasks:
- Clean and stage the kitchen so it looks fresh for event visitors.
- Remove backdrops, lighting and reflectors.
- Pack up all equipment, props, and photography tools to transport home.
- Do a final sweep for stray items or food bits left behind!
- Take “after” photos to document the kitchen’s restored appearance.
- Remove or neatly arrange any added decor elements.
- Empty the fridge and wipe it down so it’s clean for the next renters.
- Refill and neatly organize the pantry.
- Out of respect for other users, leave the rental kitchen better than you found it!
Conclusion
Turning an unfamiliar rental kitchen into a stellar food photography studio takes planning, problem-solving, and creativity. By bringing the right equipment, optimizing the existing layout and lighting, building an appealing cooking/shooting area, and applying styling expertise, photographers can capture magazine-worthy food images anywhere. With some practice transforming spaces on the fly, food photographers expand their possibilities for producing inspiring work from all kinds of rental kitchen locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What basic equipment is essential for a rental kitchen food photography shoot?
The essentials include a quality camera, lenses, tripod, reflectors/diffusers, backdrops, props, portable lighting, styling tools, batteries, memory cards, and backups of key equipment.
How can you creatively enhance the lighting in a rental kitchen?
Great natural lighting can be amplified with reflectors and diffusers. For low light, consider temporarily installing portable flashes, LED panels or continuous lighting. Adjust window blinds as needed.
What are some quick ways to make a rental kitchen look like a professional photo studio?
Use backdrops, prop styling vignettes, flowers/greenery, and other decor elements to dress up the space. Conceal flaws, maximize natural lighting, and neatly organize tools/ingredients.
Why build a defined cooking area in a rental kitchen photography workspace?
Having an organized, attractive cooking space enables efficient prep work while also providing a photogenic area for food process shots. Keeping it separate from photo setups minimizes chaos.
How can you ensure food looks fresh and appetizing in photos shot in a rental kitchen?
Focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. Work swiftly to minimize wilting. Shoot from multiple flattering angles. Use natural lighting and minimal props. Apply thoughtful styling and purposeful storytelling.
What should you do before leaving a rental kitchen you’ve used for a photo shoot?
Fully clean the kitchen, remove equipment and props, take “after” photos, dispose of perishables, wipe down appliances, refill the pantry, rearrange decor, and sweep for stray items to leave the space ready for the next renter.
