CAPTURE DELIGHTS

Kim Bunermann meets food photographer Nadja Kuschel to discover the secrets behind capturing mouth-watering shots that tell a story

- Nadja Kuschel

“We eat first with our eyes,” said first-century Roman gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius and that still rings true today. Whether we’re in a high-end restaurant or at the local cafe, the appearance of our food is important, giving an early impression of what we are about to experience, even before we have taken our first bite.

But nowhere is it truer than in food photography, where establishments such as bars, restaurants and hotels aim to present their creations in the best possible light. In the past few years, food photography has exploded in popularity through social media channels such as Instagram. Restaurateurs and celebrity chefs have tapped into the trend by presenting or serving their food in ever more extravagant ways. However, food photography brings its own particular challenges, which is why it is important to have dishes skilfully showcased by a professional.

I’m on my way to meet Nadja Kuschel for a shoot at The Old House at Home in Burton, near Chippenham, Wiltshire. Germanborn Nadja is a food expert who has photographed cuisine from many different cultures on her travels. She specialises in sustainable regional cuisine and her photos captivate with an authentic and natural visual representation. The restaurant describes itself as “a traditional ivy-clad freehouse set in beautiful Cotswolds surroundings, offering delicious food and fine wines”. I can hardly wait!

There is more to a food shoot than simply taking images, so I’m hoping to find out what it takes to photograph food while dealing with clients and delivering a satisfying piece of work.