From time to time I get to teach a small food photography lighting workshop here in Nashville. Sometimes I partner with a local restaurant and other times we just meet at the studio. Last night’s class was through The Skillery and we did the skillering (if I might take some liberty with making The Skillery a verb) at my studio.

I enjoy hearing from each participant why they came and how they plan to use their fresh new lighting skilleries. (Stop me.) Seems that “bloggers with day jobs” is a recurring theme. One of the challenges they face is shooting after the sun is long gone for the evening. We can fix that.

So, with a few cheap items from Home Depot and $18.53 later we work to produce images with the appearance of natural light coming in from a window…not an on-camera flash. Pop quiz…what’s the ugliest light?

Thanks to everyone who attended. You all were a great group…I know this because you tolerated my Dr. Pepper induced chattiness. And, a special thanks to Nancy for the wonderful cookies she made and brought to share with everyone. How many did I eat? I’m afraid I lost count. 🙂

– Kyle

How about some wonderful Deviled Eggs? Chef Brandon Frohne from Mason’s in Nashville whipped up these fine creations for us to shoot for Nashville Lifestyles Magazine recently.

Thanks Brandon for sharing your artistry with us. We enjoyed working with you.

– Kyle

FYI:
Mason’s
2100 West End Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
(615) 321-1990
masons-nashville.com

We recently did a few shots for Nashville Lifestyle’s local food issue here at the studio. More from that shoot to come later.

Chef Matt Farley from The Southern put together a great Saffire Steak Biscuit duo for us and was kind enough to let us do a quick portrait, too.

Thanks Matt! We enjoyed working with ya.

– Kyle

FYI:
The Southern of Nashville
150 3rd Ave S #110
Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 724-1762
thesouthernnashville.com

Breakfast is a little unusual for Ruby Tuesday, at least here in Tennessee. But at Ruby Tuesday in New York City you can enjoy Eggs Benedict and other breakfast goodness. We did the food photography for a special breakfast menu for their Times Square location.

Anyone else as ready as me for a big stack of pancakes?

-Kyle

Like many people I kinda use my phone’s camera as a journal of sorts. So this morning as I sit down and scroll through my iPhone to see what September’s Highs and Lows may have been and I realize why I’m a little worn out today. What a month!

These days “normal” life around the house creates the order for PJs by 8 pm…not just for my boys but me, too! Add in normal work plus a few back to back productions, a shoot in LA (Los Angeles, not Louisiana in case you were wondering) and it’s no wonder I’m making petitions for multiple naps on the weekends.

This month’s highs?
A new place to get enchiladas, walking distance from the studio (thanks Ian). A great Umami Burger (thanks Zac and Vail). My first In-n-Out Burger (thanks Rory). Fantastic crews here in Nashville and Los Angeles (many more thanks in a later post). Further experimenting with dark and hard light. Being welcomed home by one of my photos at Nashville Airport (see Cheekwood Nightlife).

My biggest high this month? Amy and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. My only regret is that I didn’t ask her to marry me sooner. We met 21 years ago. “How did we celebrate?” you may ask. Dinner and ice cream of course…at Lockeland Table and Jeni’s Ice Cream in East Nashville.

Lows? There’s too much to be thankful for to dwell on any lows…but if you must know, call me and we’ll go have a Mocha. That’ll be a high.

– Kyle

I trust you’re staying somewhat cool this summer. Here’s a little something to help ya stay refreshed. Grapefruit anyone?

August 2013 desktop calendar / wallpaper image for you to use on your own computer. (download here)

Happy 4th of July!

– Kyle

Directions:
1. Download Here.
2. (on Mac) go to  > System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver
3. Click the ” + ” button
4. Find the downloaded image on your computer and “Choose”
5. Close Preferences by clicking on the red dot in the upper left corner.