BrittanyMakes

Hello! I wanted to share with you an exciting side project I’ve been working on.  My soon-to-be sister-in-law is in the process of opening up her first store, and I’m helping her with the interior design!  She envisioned a rustic Italian cafe – mis-matched woods against white walls, a stark contrast of chalkboards and gilded frames… totally up my ally.  She knew I could help execute her vision.

While we’ve worked a lot on the interior, it’s not yet complete.  I will definitely share with you the grand reveal once the store is ready.  In the mean time, I wanted to share with you a yummy photography session I had with Emi’s cookies!

Oh my, these Italian chocolate balls pack a mighty punch! And they’re absolutely mouth-watering.  These cookies have climbed up to my #2 favorite Emi’s cookie.

The best tip I can give you when photographing food is to place the item in indirect light, and on a solid surface.  A solid white plate is the best choice if you want your item to pop in a photo.

The second tip I have is to add outer interest to the photo.  Whether it’s a sugar bowl, a spoon or fork, a place mat or napkin, you name it.  Check your view finder if something seems to be missing from the set-up.  For example, the first picture I took was this:

Immediately I knew it was boring and uninteresting.  I had to get creative.  I ran around my kitchen, grabbed a few items and started taking other shots, at different angles, adding interest to create a better and more professional looking photo.

Another thing to note, when viewed through the lens, perfectly untouched cookies are not as appetizing as they are in real life.  I made the executive decision to take a bite of the cookie, leaving behind a couple crumbs, and instantly my photo became more dynamic and alive.  I didn’t stop there!  Next, I began playing around with placement of the cookie crumbles.  Compare the next 2 images and tell me which looks more appealing?  This one?

or this one?

The last one, no? The first image gives a ‘closed-off’ vibe.  Call me crazy, but the last one looks significantly more inviting, like the cookie wants to be eaten.

Don’t worry, I ate it.

Here are a few more cookies I photographed:

Mmmmm, pizzelles… biscotti {drool}.

Emi is planning to frame and/or update her website with these new images, which in turn will help brand and grow her business.

I am so impressed with Emi’s entrepreneurial spirit, she’s grown her business fast! A little over a year ago she started her own Italian cookie business, Emi’s Biscotteria, baking cookies from recipes that have been in the family for many generations.  She began small, selling her cookies at local farmer’s markets, then grew to supply local cafes, and now a store front!  We are all so proud of her, and are ready to support her at any turn.