Food holds a special place in everyone's lives. As an award-winning professional emphasizes, the role of food photographers is to craft images that bridge the gap between food's unique personality and the consumers who enjoy it. Andrew Burkle, the lead creative and partner at BurkleHagen Studio in Cleveland, shares invaluable behind-the-scenes insights on effective food photography and meeting client expectations.

Discover the Secrets of Captivating Food Photography

Lighting: The Key to Evoking Emotions

In the realm of food photography, the contrast quality of light takes on a more pronounced role compared to other genres like lifestyle or portraits. According to Burkle, "I need to illuminate the food in a manner that accentuates its most appealing aspects. By using backlighting and hard light, we can bestow shape and dimension upon these small yet significant objects." When executed skillfully, lighting has the power to evoke emotions and transport the viewer to a specific place, time of day, and mood. As Burkle explains, "Our goal is to whisk the viewer away, not simply present a studio-shot item with strobes. With our numerous strobe heads and a variety of modifiers, we can precisely shape the light. Flags and scrims help create drama within the image and direct the viewer's attention to the main subject."For instance, in a photograph of a chocolate orange espresso cake, the strategic use of lighting brings out the rich textures and colors, making the dessert seem even more enticing. The light wraps around the cake, highlighting its layers and adding a touch of magic.

The Crucial Role of Food Stylists

Burkle highlights that the challenge in food photography lies in evoking human emotion through still life. "The answer lies in the details," he says. "We require a superb food stylist who can infuse personality into the product. The set and props must convey a certain feeling or sense of place." Food stylists are the studio's resident experts. Just as a successful fashion photographer needs to be well-versed in current and historical fashion trends, shooting food demands similar knowledge. Food stylists know how to prepare and present food properly. They are partners in problem-solving, creating the subjects that we shoot. At our studio, the trust, skill, preparation, and experience that food stylists bring to the set are of utmost importance and cannot be compromised.For example, in a classic cheeseburger photo, the food stylist arranges the burger components with precision, adding condiments and garnishes that enhance the visual appeal and make the viewer imagine the delicious taste.

Equipment: The Tools for Capturing Perfection

BurkleHagen employs a range of high-quality equipment. They use Fujifilm GFX100 II medium format cameras, Sony a1 and a7R V mirrorless 35mm cameras. For motion, a Red V-Raptor is used, while for still lighting, Profoto strobes are employed, and for motion, Aperture LED lights come into play. With a wide selection of lenses, each camera system has at least one dedicated macro lens, which is ideal for shooting food.During an internal portfolio shoot, Andrew Burkle records a video with the Red V-Raptor, showcasing the seamless integration of equipment in the creative process.

Tasting the Product: A Vital Part of the Process

Absolutely! Burkle emphasizes, "Being well-versed with the product is essential." They often engage in long conversations with clients about the product's origin and the target audience. This knowledge, combined with taste-testing, helps shape food styling and lighting.In a photograph of Korean Banchan and side dishes served with rice, the careful attention to detail in both food styling and the choice of ingredients is evident, thanks to the understanding gained through taste-testing and client discussions.BurkleHagen has received numerous honors, including local, regional, and national ADDY Awards, as well as recognition from American Photographic Artists (APA), Communication Arts, KelbyOne, and PDN. In 2008, Burkle won College Photographer of the Year in the illustration category and holds a degree in commercial photography from the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University.All images © Andrew Burkle / BurkleHagen.About the author: Ken Klein, a retired professional with a diverse background in politics, lobbying, and media including The Associated Press and Gannett in Florida. He is an alumnus of Ohio University and a member of the Dean's Advisory Council of the Scripps College of Communication. He has worked for Fort Myers News-Press (Gannett), The Associated Press (Tallahassee), Senator Bob Graham, and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA).