Hotel Food Photography for Evelyn's Nashville

Evelyns Hutton Hotel Food and Beverage Program

Since 2016 I have wanted to photograph the food and beverage program for a hotel. I had put out a ton of bids, but it just never happened. So when Evelyn’s at the Hutton Hotel reached out to me early this year I was stoked to say the least, but also had a nagging feeling it might not happen. This time was different. My friend Carly who I had previously worked with at another restaurant was the new GM. Since we had worked together before it made the process simple. The hotel industry is difficult to break into. I am thankful for this opportunity and I think we came up with some excellent imagery. This meant that I was going to bring the A team with me.

Evelyns needed a few photos for their updated menu featuring some seasonal items. They had a rock start chef and they also wanted to add a food stylist to the shoot to make sure the presentation of each dish was top notch. In fine dining it is essential to not just plate the dish, but ensure that it meets the chef’s vision. We enlisted Callie Blount as our food stylist. Callie is the perfect fit because of her willingness to work hard and to learn. Not to mention her amazing food styling skills and her eye for details.

For this shoot we wanted to use the space and also have a bit moodier lighting. So we had a Daniel Williams as the photo assistant on set to help out with lighting and moving gear. We used a large light, on a rolling stand to make set changes efficient.

For hotel industry photography I want to make sure that we capture the right vibe. We don’t just need amazing looking food we need a sense of place. I wanted to make sure we know that this amazing food was also in a really great environment. From a photographic standpoint that meant photographing the scene from a bit further away and using a bit of a wider lens. This lens choice gave us a more natural view of the food and the restaurant. It helped to capture the sense of place that we were looking for.

Since this was an active restaurant space we needed to keep a light foot print, and also move relatively quickly. We did a half day shoot starting just after the breakfast rush and finished just before the true lunch rush. Having a food stylist helps us move faster for this type of shoot. The chef can plate each dish, but allow the food stylist to add the elements of the dish that will fall with gravity and time. The food stylist adds things like the micro greens, sauces, and stacks things that will fall down over time. This allows the chef to be in the kitchen and come back to help when needed.

One of the most common questions I get is how many dishes can we capture in a half day or a full day. In this instance we were able to capture 11 unique dishes. We did this in 4 unique settings. We had a total of 40 unique deliverable final images and we took close to 400 images during the shoot.

I was so glad that we had a successful shoot for Evelyn’s. We brought a great team and came away with some excellent photos for marketing and advertising the restaurant. I walked away more confident than I went into the shoot. My team and I proved that not only can we photograph fine dining for the hospitality industry we can do it well and with a high degree of excellence. If you have a hotel food and beverage program that is in need of fresh content please reach out.

Style To Set Episode #3 Featuring Nick Bumgardner

I was recently featured on my good friend and stylist’s Callie Blount’s podcast. It was a fantastic episode. I loved being able to be on the podcast and share about food photography and life.

Here is the show description.

Just do it, y’all. I know as people we can let fear of criticism stop us in our tracks (anyone else raising their hand in the air?!) In this episode, Nick Bumgardner- crazy good photographer, professor, and co-founder of Reactor Media, a large-scale food and photography business- shares how his impetus to just go for it and take risks put him in a position to create amazing things and excel. He teaches us to actually ask for criticism and welcome the response and act on it. Whether it was finding a mentor, landing big clients from Saks to O'Charley's to Reba McEntire, or taking criticism and using it to become better, Nick blazed a trail with grit and background research. 

We can all learn from Nick- he became a photographer before the internet was a thing. Instead of going to prom, he bought a camera. He’s shot literally thousands of food photos. He always wanted to get better, and you feel that quiet confidence when you are around him. He teaches with excellence and consistency. Aannnd- Mic-drop moment when Nick said “Art (only) shines when it’s shared with people.”

You can check it out at this link. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/style-to-set/id1826659910?i=1000719683496

Peg Leg Porker Bourbon and Sauces Shoot

Peg Leg Porker recently reached out for some fresh photographs of their new bourbons as well as a brand new sauce line and seasonings. I hopped at the opportunity to work with the Peg Leg Porker crew again. We always have a great time on set together talking about good bbq, good whiskey, and the state of the Nashville food industry. 

We started out with the hardest photos first the bourbon. These required a bit more tricky of a lighting set up to achieve. We wanted the dark background, but also needed so see some bottle glow. The key to good bourbon and beverage photography is to manage highlights and reflections. We don’t want to eliminate them completely because it will look fake and boring. They need to be reigned in to make a compelling photo. 

Consistency is the key to working with brands like this. Each bottle needs to look similar so that they look good grouped togeather

We then moved to some sauces. The magic sauce here was to keep a similar setup to the bourbon, but eliminate the backlight. The sauces are much more opaque so they don’t need a glow. The Peg Leg Porker white sauce is the best in the biz right now. I keep a bottle in my fridge all the time. We added in a few photos to so the color and consistency of the sauces.

We finished up with some photographs of the new seasoning line. We kept things simple here too. But we added some detail images.

This was a fast and furious half day of shooting. When we have a good team, that knows what they want to achieve we can get a lot of work done in just a half day of shooting. 

Nick is a commercial photographer based in Nashville, TN. He loves photographing BBQ, Food, Whiskey and Products. This shoot combined all the things. If you have a shoot coming up please reach out using the contact form.

Vibrant Baseball Product Photography: Capturing the Energy Behind Every Swing

When it comes to sports equipment, especially something as iconic as baseball gear, product photography is more than just showcasing the item—it’s about bringing the energy, passion, and vibrancy of the game to life. Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Absolutely Ridiculous, a company that epitomizes creativity and fun in the sports equipment industry.

Their request was simple at first—crisp, clean e-commerce images of their colorful, playful products on white backgrounds. But as with any great collaboration, there was room to evolve. That’s where the magic happened.

Hitting a Home Run with E-Commerce Photography

Four years ago, when Absolutely Ridiculous first approached me, their main goal was to stand out in a crowded e-commerce space. They needed clean, high-resolution images of their unique baseball gloves—products like their famous ice cream-themed glove, which is as fun and creative as it sounds. By using bright white backgrounds, we ensured their products were front and center, free from distractions.

This approach is essential for any e-commerce business. Crisp, high-quality imagery not only increases trust but also boosts conversion rates. Shoppers want to see the details—every stitch, color pop, and design element—so they can imagine themselves owning the product. That’s exactly what we delivered. To see those images step back in time to this blog post featuring some of our prior work for the company.

Elevating Sports Equipment Photography for Advertising Campaigns

Fast forward to today, and I recently revisited those original images. While they served their purpose for e-commerce, I knew there was untapped potential, especially when thinking about how these images could perform in advertising campaigns.

For creatives at advertising agencies, striking, attention-grabbing visuals are key to building memorable campaigns. By placing these vibrant baseball gloves on equally energetic backgrounds—think bold, contrasting colors that make the gloves seem as if they’re leaping off the screen—the photos transformed from functional e-commerce shots into scroll-stopping imagery perfect for ads.

These aren’t just photos of gloves anymore; they’re statements. They capture the spirit of the game, the excitement of play, and the uniqueness of the brand—all in one image. And that’s exactly what creatives need to inspire their audiences.

Bringing Products to Life for E-Commerce Businesses

For e-commerce businesses, especially in the sports industry, the challenge is twofold: you need to make your products look great while also creating a connection with your audience. Sports equipment isn’t just about function—it’s about lifestyle. A baseball glove represents hours of practice, the thrill of a catch, or a child’s first game.

That’s why I breathed new life into the images for Absolutely Ridiculous. By moving beyond the plain white background and incorporating dynamic colors and complementary themes, we were able to showcase their baseball gloves in a way that tells a story. And in e-commerce, storytelling is essential to standing out and connecting with your customers.

The Power of Scroll-Stopping Imagery

In today’s fast-paced, digital shopping landscape, you only have a few seconds to capture attention. Whether your products are listed on an e-commerce site, promoted in an ad, or featured in a social media campaign, scroll-stopping imagery is critical to making a lasting impression.

For Absolutely Ridiculous, the transformation of their product photos was a game-changer. The gloves now shine against vibrant backgrounds, grabbing the attention of not just potential buyers but also creative directors, advertisers, and social media influencers. This is the kind of photography that gets people talking and sharing, boosting brand awareness in a natural, organic way.

Conclusion: Winning with Vibrant Product Photography

Whether you’re in sports equipment, an advertising agency, or running an e-commerce business, the right photography can make all the difference. It’s not just about capturing the product—it’s about capturing its essence, its energy, and its story.

Elevating BLKLY Colostrum Powder: Photography That Builds Trust

A Vision Fueled by Purpose

In July of 2024, BLKLY, a supplement company with a strong commitment to health and wellness, reached out to me to help launch their brand new colostrum powder. The founders of BLKLY were driven by a personal mission: after Destiny, one of the founders, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, she and her family felt a strong calling to create supplements designed to support those living with similar conditions. This purpose resonated deeply with me, and I was excited to get involved.

Photography is a key component in the success of any supplement brand, especially in an online marketplace. As creatives, you know the value of compelling visuals, and the right images not only sell a product but build trust with the consumer.

Crafting Clean and Compelling Pack Shots

The first part of the project involved shooting BLKLY’s colostrum powder in simple, clean pack shots. For these, I knew the lighting had to be precise. I opted for a hard light source to create motivated light and give the product depth, while also filling in shadows to ensure the entire package was properly exposed. This technique adds intrigue and professionalism to an otherwise minimalistic setting.

Shooting supplements like BLKLY’s colostrum powder on a plain white background may seem straightforward, but every detail matters. From the texture of the packaging to the shadows cast by the product, lighting makes all the difference in creating a shot that pops and builds consumer confidence. After capturing the traditional white background shots, I switched things up by photographing the product against one of BLKLY’s vibrant brand colors, adding personality and aligning it with their identity.

Bringing the Product to Life: Lifestyle Imagery

Once the pack shots were complete, it was time to shift focus to lifestyle imagery. BLKLY wanted a collection of photos that not only showed the product in use but also captured the spirit of their brand—health-conscious and vibrant.

For lifestyle shots, I incorporated real-life scenes where the product could shine naturally, such as someone preparing the colostrum powder in the kitchen. This created a narrative that speaks directly to the health-conscious consumer, making the supplement relatable and desirable. Lifestyle photos are a fantastic way to engage potential buyers, allowing them to envision the product as part of their everyday routine.

Photography that Sells

In the health and wellness industry, great photography is essential to building consumer trust and credibility. It’s no secret that supplements face scrutiny, and consumers are savvier than ever. High-quality imagery helps tell your brand’s story, making the product feel reliable and trustworthy.

For creatives working in the advertising or supplement industry, the right photography can elevate your brand’s message, transforming it from something functional to something aspirational. When your imagery aligns with your brand’s purpose, it invites customers into your story, helping them connect with your product on an emotional level.

Ready to Elevate Your Next Product?

It was an incredible experience working with BLKLY to help bring their vision to life. They’ve created a product they truly believe in, and I’m proud to have been a part of their journey. If you’re in the supplement or health-focused industry and looking for dynamic, impactful product photography, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s create something that not only stands out but resonates with your audience. Use the Contact Form to get in touch!