I’m a collector of cameras, lenses, lighting, editing software, tripods, dishes, utensils, gadgets, napkins, and backdrops. Years ago, I tossed my all-white dish set and committed to creating a mismatched, Anthropologie-esque dish collection. My top priority when apartment hunting was always finding a place with a space near the kitchen where I could setup a “studio”. I’ve spent numerous nights and weekends writing recipes, researching technique, treasure hunting, and building prop sets. More often than not, while my friends were out and about, I was either knee deep in bricks, subway tiles, wood, stains, paints, and dyes or covered with butter, flour, veggie scraps, and meat guts. It should be noted that I don’t regret a minute of it.
It’s a recent trend for bloggers to come forward and expose how their social media life is an illusion, that they’re on a constant mission to portray a life that is worlds better than the life they’re living. And in a way, this post is following suit.
I have a prop kitchen that is perfectly white and perfectly lit. It’s conveniently located on top of all the accessories necessary to make a styled shot. Shooting only takes minutes because the conditions are right. Editing only takes minutes because, again, the conditions are right. One hundred percent of my photos are edited.
On the prop counter likely sits a meal that I prepared myself, styled myself, that was unbound by a budget and unsponsored by a brand. More often than not, it’s a meal that was created as a result of hunger and inspired by the associated craving. No meals are created just to create. No meals go to waste {I share!}.
I don’t believe using a prop kitchen is a reflection of pretending to have. But I do believe the prop kitchen is a reflection of hard work, dedication, and a creative spirit. I work with brands on occasion because I enjoy being rewarded for working hard, challenging myself with product limitations, and providing readers with products that I want as well. But for the most part, the food, the setup, and the opportunities are funded by a demanding day job that is completely unrelated to FoodFash.
At the end of the day, the only illusion here is downplaying the amount of love and work that goes into maintaining a blog.
A handful of blogger friends have requested that I share what goes into a prop kitchen because it’s a realistic solution for those who are trying to work with a kitchen that may be crowded, under lit, messy, or not-so-pretty. So here it is, a list of items in my prop kitchen for new bloggers and seasoned bloggers, alike, looking for resources and inspiration.
Dishes/Utensils/Linens: Anthropologie, Homegoods, World Market, Thrift Stores
Subway Tiles {applied to a 2×2 piece of plywood using adhesive, no grout, in a running bond pattern}
Stacked Bricks {stacked, without mortar, in a running bond pattern}
Marble “Counter” {look for a piece with minimal marbling}
Slatted Wood “Table” {stained 2 ft. pieces nailed from the bottom to a 2×2 piece of plywood}
Helpful hints: Clearance sections are your friend! And the lumber department at Home Depot will cut wood to size for free.
If you have any additional “how to” questions, please comment below or email me at kristin {at} foodfash {dot} com.
