Food Photography 101

Saturday morning at work, my coworker Rose brought in this gorgeous cake, and I first learned that some people make a career in food photography.

I love taking photos of food, and this just inspired me to practice!  My boyfriend also just happened to be planning to cook a special four course dinner for us that night, in honor of his first day of vacation (a week's staycation).  He thought it would be fun to make it a surprise and try a couple new recipes, so I stayed out of the kitchen and waited in anticipation.  When we sat down to dinner, he brought out each course in turn.  We are big foodies, so with each course he brought out he told me what was in it and where the ingredients were from.

Course 1: Caprese Salad with Homemade Bread

Fresh mozzarella, made in Wisconsin, Farmer's Market tomatoes and basil, with olive oil and a balsamic reduction.

Whole wheat bread made from locally farmed wheat, half hour away


Course 2: Lemon sorbet

Simple syrup and farmer's market lemons (a thing I didn't think was possible in Wisconsin), with local fresh mint on top.


Main Course: Salmon en Croute

Fresh, never frozen wild-caught salmon from Alaska (He tried to get trout, which would have been more local, but they didn't have any),

 

Homemade sauces, front to back:

Shrimp mousse, made with farmer's market shrimp from his grandmother's recipe

Goat cheese and fresh basil

Arugula, tatsoi, and sprinach with yogurt

Course 4: Dessert

 Played a guessing game with this one.  Clues I was given:

-Calorie heavy, you won't need much of it (hence it is small)

-Lots of preparation went into it

-Something I wanted and would really like

-Sweetest thing I could think to make for you

-Local and organic

I also listened to it, and tried to smell it, when prompted, but couldn't guess...

...that this was inside!

Of course I said yes!!!

And was glad I like taking pictures of food! :-)