As a young boy I was the only child at school who knew what job they wanted to have in the future. I wanted to be a wildlife film maker. Born and bred in the Far East and spending a lot of time on the beach. I was obsessed with Jacques Cousteau and later big cats.
After Art College I didn’t have any contacts for wildlife film making, so took the studio route assisting James Cotier & Terence Donovan in Terry’s Charlotte Street studio. At the time food photography was awful and the least interesting area of photography but 25 years later after seeing Robert Freson’s books ‘A taste of France & Italy” I changed direction and love it.
So many lovely inspiring people work in the food industry. When I started, chefs worked below ground with the maitre d’it having his name above the door but not any more. Chefs have become celebrities. When I’ve flown abroad with chefs like Raymond Blanc & Heston etc it’s always in a private jet.
One cookery writer, I really like is Rachel Roddy https://racheleats.wordpress.com/ She’s lovely and a brilliant writer but her food is always brown and she proudly says she ‘loves brown food’. As a food photographer I’m aware food photos can so easily become brown, so I try to use anything to brighten up the image. Fresh produce (& props) are always a good option.
Homegrown heritage tomatoes
Autumn quinces
Roasted tomato & ricotta bruschettas
Tagliatelle al pomodoro con pangrattato
Chicken tikka