This project was shot for an Ad Agency whose client houses an on-site restaurant among other entertainment bars and amusements in the same location. These shots are currently used as on-site translight and marketing posters. Our client negotiated a buy-out so the shots could also be used as ads and billboards. The challenge was to shoot (in their restaurant location), 10 different food menu selections in only a 6-hour window. Afterwards, the restaurant opened to the public. The shoot was scheduled on site in the restaurant’s dining room.

Our shoot was scheduled to begin at 9:00am. Because the shoot time was short, compared to the length of our shot list, we were able to bump the start time up to 8:00am. This meant a 5:00am call time for our assistants to meet at the studio. Because the restaurant location was a 50-mile drive from our studio, we had to give ourselves enough time to pack all the equipment into the car, plus cover our travel time just in case we experienced any unexpected snags. I have a credo where I believe if I can’t get somewhere in time, I want to get there early.

When we arrived at the location, we created a studio/shooting area in a designated spot of the restaurant’s dining room – close to the kitchen so we can interact with the chef. Our studio Home Ec, set up her workstation adjacent to our shooting area. The chef gave us ‘stand in’ meals so our Home Ec could style our ‘stars’ for finish. We built sandwiches, fries and slaw in a fraction of the time that a prop builder would take 2 weeks to build. Everything had to look like delicious perfection; lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onion rings, buns, fries - the list is endless, but exciting! Think about everywhere your eye needs to look – and at all times. It’s not 26 seconds of a TV spot that goes speeding by. These still shots will be looked at, and looked at.

Our digital camera was tethered to our computer, which helped expedite our shoot. Our clients (2 creatives) plus their clients (advertising/ promotional team of 3) were all on site for the shoot. Everybody was able to review the images on the computer as they happened from the camera. We really cranked...in order to achieve shooting all 10 shots in 6 hours, the team had to always be on the same page – and we were! Plus, I was asking for more tomatoes, different buns and longer or shorter fries. Plus, we even had lunch. Plus, we had fun throughout! The proof is in the pictures... Thanks to everyone working with us on this great project. Our client is happy, their client is happy, and our rep is happy because we now have these great food shots to share with you.