i am baker

Food Styling Challenge: Picky Palate

The Food Styling Challenge is all about showcasing talent for styling food. I have asked 12 amazing bloggers to pick any chocolate cake recipe they want and style it anyway they want. The catch? They only have $25 to do it! Join us on the journey to see how they can transform a cake stand into a work of art!

June is all about Jenny from Picky Palate. Jenny’s blog is a feast! Her pictures are fantastic and food is mouth watering and personality is the best! She makes me smile and you just cant put a value on that. I even made her a Special Cake for her baby shower… the cake was based on her world famous Chocolate Chip Cookie stuffed with Oreo’s!

Not only is Jenny’s blog amazing… but she has a book out too! The Picky Palate Cookbook is a favorite in our house… full of practical and easy to follow recipes with fun and delicious twists.

Oh… and check out what Jenny made for us! A delectable Double Chocolate Butterfinger Layer Cake! Wow.

Be sure to head to her blog for the complete recipe!!

Did you find the Food Styling Challenge to be easy or difficult? “I found the challenge to be so much fun. I grew up finding good deals, so hunting down goodies at the thrift store was an absolute treat!”

Was the spending limit a challenge? “The spending limit was not a challenge for me. I spent a total of $16 on my props. A little left over, yippee!

What are your favorite props to style with? “My favorite props to style with are definitely antique shop finds. I love old silverware, printed napkins, fun new plates, cups and cake stands.”

What is your favorite part of the challenge? “My favorite part of the challenge was the whole thing…..creating a new cake and the challenge of finding props for under $25. I combined a plate and candlestick to make my cake stand. Love how it turned out!

Thanks so much for having me Amanda, it was a pleasure!

*****

My gosh I just want to dive into that gorgeous cake. Way to go Jenny!!

Be sure to check out past participants!

January-Dine & Dish

February-Verses From My Kitchen

March-Inspired by Charm

April-Tidymom

May-Family Fresh Cooking

June 10, 2013 · 14 Comments

Food Styling Challenge: Family Fresh Cooking

May is focusing on Marla from Family Fresh Cooking. I have long time been a fan of Marla’s unique style and talent, and secretly hope to one day see her prop closet! And thankfully she does share some of her amazing prop secrets below!

Be sure to stop by and see the recipe for her beautiful and delicious (and I am sure healthy, Marla is the queen of beautifulhealthydelicious food!) Chocolate Pancake Layer Cake!

Did you find the Food Styling Challenge to be easy or difficult?

I had a blast with this challenge! I love things that test my photography and recipe development skills. I pondered my recipe for quite a while as I am not a traditional baker. That is why you see a pancake cake! Until I got started on this I was perplexed as to what I would come up with ~ once I got started it all flowed easily!

Was the spending limit a challenge?

At first I thought it was gonna be a challenge. I went to a few antique stores that were way over priced. Then I went to a new favorite in Durango, CO. They had so much stuff within price range I could hardly decide what to buy. As soon as my eyes latched onto these clear glass plates with the beaded edge I was hooked! These will be used regularly on my blog from now on. I am obsessed with the antique kitty too! She also has a puppy pal.

What are your favorite props to style with?

I tend to like antiques ~ the Shabby Chic look is a favorite. My prop collection includes pieces I find on Etsy.com, antiques stores and brands such a s Mackenzie-Childs, Pip Studio and Kath Kidston. I have a thing for european country design and their food styling.

What is your favorite part of the challenge?

My favorite part(s) of this challenge were wondering how I was going to come up with a chocolate cake that fit my healthier recipe style. Also, I wondered how I was going to bake something at high altitude, I live at close to 10,000 feet. We moved here in January and quite frankly I am not a baker ~ so I have not been experimenting. The ratios of ingredients are quite different up here in the Telluride high country. Thankfully pancakes are a constant in our house, so I turned them into a layer cake. This recipe is healthy enough for me to consider for breakfast, brunch or dessert. I loved finding props that fit within budget too.

Find Marla here!

Twitter @MarlaMeridith

Facebook: Food @Family Fresh Cooking

Facebook: Lifestyle @marlameridith.com

Pinterest @Marla Meridith

Instagram @marlameridith

Amazing job Marla! Thanks so much for taking on the Food Styling Challenge!

Be sure to check out past participants!

January-Dine & Dish

February-Verses From My Kitchen

March-Inspired by Charm

April-Tidymom

May 20, 2013 · 5 Comments

Food {Faux}tography

I gotta keep it real here. Food photography is tough. I struggle with it every single time I do it. I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that I am totally faking it.

This is my favorite shot of a slice of cake. When one person (whose opinion I trust implicitly) saw it they said, “Can I just tell you everything that is wrong with that shot?”

Yes!! Please do!! (Seriously, I appreciate all feedback!) Because when I took it I didnt realize the back was blown out and that the fork placement draws your eye away from the cake or that my depth of field is way to shallow. I just thought it was pretty.

So this is not a series on how to be a better food photographer. Because clearly I know very little on that topic. And there are amazingly talented people out there who DO know how to do food photography and styling.

These guys are the real deal. One reason that these folks speak to me is that when I see their pictures I dont think, “That is beautiful styling.” I think,

“I want to eat that food.”

They are so masterful with telling my eye where to go, where to linger, and what exactly it should be focusing on.

They just get it.

(I highly encourage you to check out those blogs… if you love their talent as much as I do, be sure to tell them!)

I am quite secure in the fact that food styling & photography is NOT my gift. I DON’T get it. I have taken classes, I have watched video’s, I have tried to flat out copy people. (always giving credit of course) Its just not. my. thing.

So I fake it.

One way I fake it is with props. I tend to make lots of cakes so side plates are a big prop in my life. I have many, many, way-to-many side plates.

And way to many cake stands. But thats another post!

For this {faux}tography post I want to show you the power of a side plate. I am not kidding you when I say that they can transform a piece of cake.

Things to look for: In which picture do you think, “Oh, thats a pretty plate,” and in which (if any, remember I am not a pro) do you think,

“I must eat that cake!”

So does one stand out?

Look at how much a difference a red plate vs. a white plate can make. Can you imagine if we added a glass? Or a pretty napkin, or even the whole cake behind? I have a hard time seeing that so I have to try and build as I go, a piece at a time.

So. While I fully suggest if you want to be a great food stylist and food photographer, learn from the best.

But if you need to fake it like I do, try focusing on one prop. Like plates. Or silverware. Or napkins. And then build up your supply so that you can experiment and see what you prefer!

(Most of these plates were purchased at Thrift Stores and yard/salvage/garage sales. One of these days I will take you shopping with me!)

Wanna know which one I like the best?

Plain ole white.

Did you have a favorite?

March 24, 2012 · 141 Comments