COOKBOOK PHOTOSHOOT! PLANT PROTEIN
In the Spring of 2024, I was given the beautiful task and huge responsibility to photograph the highly anticipated debut cookbook, PLANT PROTEIN, by Instagram sensation Gigi Grassia.
This cookbook shoot was hands down one of THE most delicious cookbooks I’ve ever had the pleasure of working on; the focus of the book was plant protein - from flavourful stews, to quick lunches to THE most scrumptious breakfast bowls, we covered it all!
But how does a cookbook shoot actually come together? How do we decide on the props, the aesthetic, and the overall flow of the shoot?
In today’s blog post, I’m pulling back the curtain on the making of PLANT PROTEIN to share the creative process behind the scenes. Whether you’re dreaming of shooting a cookbook yourself or just curious about the magic that happens behind the lens, this one’s for you!
HOW TO GET HIRED FOR A COOKBOOK SHOOT…
I made a decision a few years ago to focus my work on editorial food photography. I knew deep down that I wanted nothing more than to photograph cookbooks and hence adjusted my portfolio, so that it had the potential to speak to cookbook authors and publishers.
To ensure I was on the right track, I sought out a coach who provided constructive feedback, identified gaps in my portfolio, and pointed out potential blind spots that might deter my ideal clients. However, I didn’t wait for perfection before taking action. I began pitching to prospective clients, actively marketing my work, and building my presence—and those efforts paid off.
Today, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with several publishers on a variety of cookbook projects. Still, every time a publisher entrusts me with photographing an author’s cookbook, I feel both deeply honored and slightly nervous. It’s a massive honour as well as a huge responsibility that I take incredibly seriously!
THE PRE-SHOOT STAGE OF A COOKBOOK
Every cookbook shoot is a little different, but usually by the time publishers approach me to photograph a cookbook, they’ve had countless meetings and already decided on the look and feel they’re hoping to achieve for the book. Often there’s a mood board, a props wish list and also thoughts on the ideal lighting and overall colour palette for the book.
Unlike commercial shoots, editorial shoots, like a cookbook shoot, often do still allow for food photographers to have considerable input. This is one of the reasons I love working on cookbooks so much — the exchange of ideas and teamwork often brings out the best in everyone. Plus, as a cookbook photographer, I’m given creative freedom to add my personal touch, which is super fulfilling.
That said, my top priority during any cookbook shoot is bringing the author’s and publisher’s vision to life. While I relish the opportunity to express myself creatively, I approach each project with the understanding that the client’s goals come first. At the same time, I recognise that they’ve hired me for my unique expertise and perspective, so I’m never hesitant to suggest bold ideas or unexpected elements that might take their vision to the next level.
Ultimately, it’s about striking a balance: ensuring the client feels like royalty while still leaving my creative fingerprint on the project. It’s my firm belief that it’s precisely my eye and take on food photography that the client hired me for, so I’m never afraid to give it my all if and when appropriate!
THE cookbook photoshoot week!
To capture 60 recipes, the cover, author portraits, and several incidental shots, we allocated six tightly packed shoot days. This required a meticulous daily schedule that needed to be adhered to!
To make everything run smoothly, I had to work closely with the food stylist (in this case, it was the wonderful and talented Sam Dixon) - to ensure we put a schedule together that worked for us all! The idea was to spread more involved as well as quick and easy recipes evenly over the 6 days. This approach ensured a steady flow of dishes for me to photograph, while also allowing the food stylist to have all the necessary ingredients prepped and ready for each shot.
Potential cover shot options were strategically spread over multiple days, typically scheduled for days 3, 4, and 5. By then, the team has usually hit its stride, making it easier to experiment and fine-tune the cover imagery.
The image on the left was a strong contender for the cover, but after some back and forth, the publisher ultimately chose a different option—more on that decision below…
THE COOKBOOK COVER SHOOT!
Cookbook covers are a funny thing! I always get a pinch nervous on cover shoot days because, y’all, the pressure is REAL! The thing is, a cookbook cover can make or break a book. This means you’ve got to get the right angle, the right settings, the right light!
To make life easier, the publisher and cookbook author will have a rough idea in advance of the recipes that could possibly make for a fantastic cover, but sometimes, as was the case with PLANT PROTEIN, the cover happens by accident...
This insanely delicious lentil sub sandwich wasn’t a cover option anyone had thought of, but once I captured it, I knew in my gut that it was THE ONE! It spoke to the core premise of the book, it included Gigi, it looked mouthwateringly yummy and it just gave me all the vibes.
Plus, I could tell that everyone was smitten. Nonetheless, we still focused on capturing all the other cover options too before the publisher sent the various cover versions to the designer who added in the title text to see what worked best.
I’m SO happy my fav AKA the sub, made the cut. What do you think? Do you like it?
before you go…..
Photographing the PLANT PROTEIN cookbook has been an incredible experience, but I know that it wouldn’t have happened if the publisher hadn’t seen my work and been interested in working with me.
Therefore, if you’re a food photographer who is eager to take your next step forward in your career, be sure to build an irresistible food photography portfolio! To help you do just that, be sure to download my FREE portfolio mini guide below!
Alternatively, do check out my food photography and styling workshops HERE, my online food photography courses HERE or my 1-2-1 mentoring session HERE. I’d love to hear from you.