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Food Photography and Styling with Robin and Sue.

in My Favorites on 12/02/21

Hi there! We’re Robin & Sue, food photographer and styling team based in Maplewood, NJ.

While we love to shoot ALL food, we especially love it when we are able to work together with

people who are promoting healthy eating, which is why we are so excited to be jumping in on

Beth’s blog! (Thanks, Beth!) Today we thought it would be fun to give you a little sneak peak

into a shooting day with us so you can learn a little bit about our process and how we make our

images.

 

For today’s shoot, we made my favorite smoothie. I love making smoothies for breakfast

because at least then I know I’ve started the day off right. To photograph it though, It’s more

than just pointing the camera and shooting! So here’s what we do to make food look it’s best.

Our first step is to gather some inspiration images to get ideas on the look and feel we are

going for with the day’s shoot. From there we can plan what backdrops and surfaces we’ll use,

how we plan to light it, and what props to bring out. Usually, pineapple kale coconut smoothie

Sue decides on the recipe and how to style the food and I decide how it is going to be shot and

lit- will it be shot overhead? Straight-on from the side? A three-quarter angle? And where will

the lighting be coming in from? Is this mimicking early morning? Mid-day? Early evening? Once

those decisions are made, we’re ready to shoot.

For this smoothie, we knew wanted to make it look bright and cheerful- so the idea was a light

and bright photo shoot (as opposed to a dark and moody one, which might be more suitable for

a winter soup, but eh hem, I’ve had one too many of those this January and we want some

sunshine!) Because of this, we chose to shoot on a white marble surface to make the color of

the smoothie really pop. We also wanted to highlight some of the great healthy ingredients in

the smoothie, since once they are blended you will not be able to see what’s inside. So we

decided to surround it with big chunks of the pineapple and kale.

A word of advice when shooting food- don’t just run to the store and choose the first kale bunch

you see! Food stylists take their time really looking at which ones look the freshest and buy

those. You may get some weird looks from the produce department, but no worries, I think

secretly they love that you are showing the care those vegetables deserve!

We now have to set up our set. We get our backgrounds and surfaces in place, our props and

glassware ready, but, we don’t put the food in yet! We use a stand-in (maybe it’s a rolled up

towel or something like that to hold its place) because here’s the thing: food starts to wilt,

discolor, and settle while onset. I happen to have LED lights so they are not hot, but even

still, you’ve seen food after it sits awhile- it turns color, develops a crust, loses its

effervescence, etc.

So, once all these things are in place, we do some test shots to set up our lighting the way we

want it. We then make sure the props are in a pleasing composition and our colors are showing

appropriately on camera, and that I have a good white balance since those whites need to be

actually white!

NOW it’s time to add the food! We pour the smoothie into a glass that’s already exactly where

we want it to be in the frame. We shoot and Sue starts to make the little micro-adjustments to

make it look perfect- moving the kale around, the pineapple chunks, checking for condensation,

etc. It’s definitely a job for people who are patient because it sometimes takes 30 minutes to

an hour to perfect a shot! This definitely surprises people, but it’s true! Sometimes we luck

out and nail it right away, but being the perfectionists that we are, it usually takes that

long:)

Hope you enjoyed hearing about our process. If you are curious to know more, we’d love to

hear from you! Come check out our website at www.robinandsue.com and drop us an

email. We welcome any conversations about food, and if we can help you make your food

shine, let us know!

 

Pineapple Kale Coconut Smoothie

Serves†one

1 cup coconut milk (the kind in the dairy aisle in the carton)

1 T almond butter

½ t chia seeds

1 t flaxseeds

½ frozen banana

½ cup frozen pineapple

Handful of kale, sliced off the stem

In a high-speed blender, add ingredients in order. Blend until smooth. Add small amounts of

water, if necessary. Enjoy!

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« “Eat food.  Not too much.  Mostly plants.” Michael Pollan
Valentine’s Day 2021 »

Hey, How are you?

Hi! I'm Beth! Blue Barn Kitchen is a health focused lifestyle brand with simple and creative recipes, meal planning and lifestyle programs, making living healthy effortless. Read More

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🔅Eat whole foods, nothing processed!
🌱For the Health Conscious Mixologist
🥃Drink Clean in a Dirty World
Clean Cocktails @oprah @dr_oz @inc @forbes

Beth Nydick✨Blue Barn Kitchen
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We are celebrating #RandomActofKindnessDay (2/17) We are celebrating #RandomActofKindnessDay (2/17) with some of our favorite friends ! These 14 fabulous #womenownedbusinesses have come together to show you their act of kindness through a collection of goodies that could be yours. It only takes just 15 seconds! 
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3️⃣ Tag your besties (one bestie per comment). Every friend gives you a chance at this amazing package of goodies. 
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Ends 2/8 @ 5pm with announcement on our stories on 2/9. 
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Must be located in the USA. ONE lucky person will receive all 14 gifts from each business individually. All gifts are non-refundable / not exchangeable. This  G A is not affiliated, sponsored, administered or associated with Instagram. No purchase necessary, VOID where prohibited. By registering you are confirming you are 18 years of age or older. #Cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailparty #cocktails🍹 #cocktailgram #cocktailculture #cocktailrecipes #cocktailmaking #cocktailathome #cocktailrecipe #cocktails🍸 #cocktailsforyou #cocktailinspiration #cocktailspecial #cocktailgarnish #cocktaillove #cocktailgown #cocktailblogger #cocktailstyle #cocktaillife #cocktailshaker #cocktailoftheweek #cocktailsathome #cocktailtime #cocktailtime
DON’T ASK! Sometimes you must take what you want DON’T ASK! Sometimes you must take what you want and even hide it from your husband. 
NO! I don't mean anything sinister; I mean... your @topochicohardseltzerusa

I have tasted a ton of these but this one was created using MINERAL WATER. Yes, minerals in your cocktails. What else can we ask for? 
 
Well.... it comes in FOUR great flavors that I just adore. It's the only hard seltzer inspired by Topo Chico Mineral Water's legendary taste. Tangy Lemon Lime is my choice. What flavor is your favorite?
 
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When you meet amazing women, hold them up to the l When you meet amazing women, hold them up to the light! Find my latest podcast interview below with Dr. Kim Foster  @repost @drkimfoster 
Let's get YOU in the spotlight! 🌟

How would you like to get some free publicity for your coaching business? Maybe get featured in mainstream media? Get interviewed on TV?! Sounds awesome, right? 🎤

There’s no doubt publicity is a super powerful marketing tactic for your coaching business.

However, before you go out there and start pitching yourself, there are a few crucial things to take care of first!

Curious what they are? 🤔

Tune in to this weeks’ podcast episode where I sit down to chat with Beth Nydick, a former TV producer and New Jersey-based publicity and business strategist expert who helps entrepreneurs to go from “Undiscovered to Unforgettable”.

Bethnydick has a roster of celebrity and rising entrepreneur clients, and she knows what it means to truly be ready for the spotlight. ✨

Complete show notes: https://drkimfoster.com/084
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#businesswoman #girlboss #entrepreneurlife #growyourbusiness #womeninbiz #femaleentrepreneur #womensupportingwomen #womenwhohustle #bossbabe #womeninbusiness #publicidaddigital #sheleadsmedia
Always a blast on @nj_on_air Making cocktails and Always a blast on @nj_on_air  Making cocktails and hanging with my friends! Love these ladies! @caradifalco @lisamariefalbo Clean Cocktails Cookbook – We’re Jammin’ 
Serves 1
Recommended Barware: Mason jar
2 ounces gin
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ ounce Honey Syrup
1 teaspoon organic berry preserves
Ice
Seltzer water for topping
Garnish: Fresh berries and fresh mint sprig
1. Combine the gin, vodka, lemon juice, Honey Syrup, and berry preserves in an 8-ounce Mason jar. Add the ice and tightly cover with the lid.
2. Shake the jar until the jam is thoroughly incorporated into the liquid. Remove the lid and top off with the seltzer. Garnish with the berries and mint sprig and serve.
 
For a pitcher (serves 6): 1½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 tablespoons organic berry preserves, 1½ cups gin, 1½ cups vodka, 3 ounces Honey Syrup, ice, seltzer water for topping, and 6 to 12 fresh berries and 6 fresh mint sprigs for garnish. Combine the lemon juice and preserves in a pitcher and stir until well combined. Add the gin, vodka, Honey Syrup, and ice and stir again. Strain the contents of the blender into six 8-ounce Mason jars and top off each with the seltzer. Garnish each with the berries and mint sprigs and serve. #Cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailparty #cocktails🍹 #cocktailgram #cocktailculture #cocktailrecipes #cocktailmaking #cocktailathome #cocktailrecipe #cocktails🍸 #cocktailsforyou #cocktailinspiration #cocktailspecial #cocktailgarnish #cocktaillove #cocktailgown #cocktailblogger #cocktailstyle #cocktaillife #cocktailshaker #cocktailoftheweek #cocktailsathome #cocktailtime #cocktailtime
I forgot how much I love LIVE TV, especially when I forgot how much I love LIVE TV, especially when I get to share Clean Cocktails.  Thanks to the crew at nbcnews4sa for having me on. CHEERS! #Selfmade #goaldigger#businessladylife  #bossmomma#brandstrategists #motivationminute#makersgonnamake#communityovercompetition #etsyshop#entrepreneurmindset #bossbabe#bloggerlife #femaleentrepreneurs#publicitytips #womenwholead#instagramforbusiness#ceoofmyownlife #calledtobecreative#savvybusinessowner #goalgetter#womenwhohustle #workingmom#momboss #mompreneur #wahm #reelsofnstagram#smallbusinessowners #peptalk
Love to upbox with you. In today’s boxes- Butter Love to upbox with you. In today’s boxes- Butterfly flower seeds by @pottingshedcreations Thank you @paperbackexperts @michaeldelon . If you are writing a book plz check out Michale and his team!! 

AND!!
Laura Baddish is a badass and sent me some of my favorites!! Mezcal  by Alamars and Four Roses small batch bourbon whisky. Stay tuned for cocktail videos with these amazing spirits! 

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@lbaddish @thebaddishgroup @thebaddishgroup_team @mezcalamaras #mezcal. #Cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailparty #cocktails🍹 #cocktailgram #cocktailculture #cocktailrecipes #cocktailmaking #cocktailathome #cocktailrecipe #cocktails🍸 #cocktailsforyou #cocktailinspiration #cocktailspecial #cocktailgarnish #cocktaillove #cocktailgown #cocktailblogger #cocktailstyle #cocktaillife #cocktailshaker #cocktailoftheweek #cocktailsathome #cocktailtime #cocktailtime
It’s almost Mothers Day. Have you thought about It’s almost Mothers Day. Have you thought about what to get those special moms in your life? Check out this gift guide by @alizafriedlander on the @thequalityedit . So blessed to be included. What are you thinking? A cocktail cookbook?? You know the one... Clean Cocktails!! Link in bio #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailparty #cocktails🍹 #cocktailgram #cocktailculture #cocktailrecipes #cocktailmaking #cocktailathome #cocktailrecipe #cocktails🍸 #cocktailsforyou #cocktailinspiration #cocktailspecial #cocktailgarnish #cocktaillove #cocktailgown #cocktailblogger #cocktailstyle #cocktaillife #cocktailshaker #cocktailoftheweek #cocktailsathome #cocktailtime #cocktailtime
Yes a parsley cocktail. Use your favorite herb or Yes a parsley cocktail. Use your favorite herb or spice in a cocktail! Experiment and try different flavors. Get more in link in bio: #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailparty #cocktails🍹 #cocktailgram #cocktailculture #cocktailrecipes #cocktailmaking #cocktailathome #cocktailrecipe #cocktails🍸 #cocktailsforyou #cocktailinspiration #cocktailspecial #cocktailgarnish #cocktaillove #cocktailgown #cocktailblogger #cocktailstyle #cocktaillife #cocktailshaker #cocktailoftheweek #cocktailsathome #cocktailtime #cocktailtime
Join me as we unbox the spring box from @fabfitfun Join me as we unbox the spring box from @fabfitfun. What did we receive? A @shortstoriesshop led indoor planter. A pair of @splendidla  faux fur slippers on crustal pink. A @grownalchemist Body Cream in Mandarin & Rosemary leaf. A set of aloe infused gel lined socks & Punic stone from @halston. @earthharbor Marine Biome Brightening Ampoule. A body wash by @caliluxecosmetics . Nail polish in Mayfair lane by @nailsinc!! I also love that FFF is now having a standard to what products they will accept into their boxes, they have to have the right ingredients! As someone that’s allergic to minerals, I appreciate it.❤️ plus all the health advice in the magazine. Can’t wait for my next box already!! Thanks FFF!
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