The Art of Visual Storytelling
What happens when food is just too pretty to eat? You take a picture—then eat it anyway. This fall, BA and Ralph Lauren Paint tapped leading tastemakers to explore what makes a compelling photograph using iconic color and seasonal, creative cuisine. Check out the great snaps from this visual storytelling lunch event and don’t miss the tips for how to make the meals in your holiday party pictures look as good as they’ll taste.
1/7The hottest names in design, styling, and photography were invited to the BA Kitchen to discuss the best tips and channels for posting images. In this shot, Sean Santiago from Refinery29 captures the perfect aerial angle of one of the interactive food photography stations setup for the event.
TIP: Overhead shots are everything; Check out @bonappetitmag on Instagram for proof. Keep a step stool in the kitchen to capture every detail. Just tuck it away before guests arrive.
Christopher Patrick Ernst2/7Painted props paired with perfectly styled bites are the ultimate Instagram bait. This Peppered Butter and Pear Toast was topped with bee pollen and flaky sea salt, pictured here alongside a cutting board dipped in Ralph Lauren Paint’s Chamois.
TIP: Go beyond the standard “beauty shot” of a finished dish. Get into the kitchen and capture mealtime prep, letting your colorful kitchen gadgets share time in the spotlight. After all, cooking is half the fun! (Bonus: choose flatware in colors that will complement your meal.)
Christopher Patrick Ernst3/7Taylor Patterson of Brooklyn-based Fox Fodder Farm floral design studio made centerpieces using seasonal wild bouquets inspired by the event’s Ralph Lauren Paint palette. The arrangements were placed in low-profile vessels creating an ombré tablescape effect.
TIP: There are some golden rules for setting the perfect table: 1) Keep your centerpieces below eye-level for an unobstructed view. 2) Don’t stress if you don’t have an identical set of glasses, flatware, vases, etc. Mismatched items in complementary colors will give your setup a modern look. 3) Choose a theme to add impact (seasonal is always best).
4/7No party is complete without personalized details, like these handwritten place cards made from Ralph Lauren Paint swatches.
TIP: For unique place cards or napkin holders, choose compatible colors and give each guest a different hue. And to put your colorful design elements front and center in photos, allow your lens to blur out the foreground and background by placing your camera level with the subject you’re shooting.
Christopher Patrick Ernst5/7Fresh herbs pack a powerful punch in both flavor and visual appeal. Potato, Sage, Rosemary pizzettes, shown here with Ralph Lauren Paint’s Hotel Du Cap, were a crowd favorite.
TIP: Don’t add fresh herbs until just before serving (or shooting!); Otherwise, the heat of the food will make them wilt.
Christopher Patrick Ernst6/7Make the most of your Mostarda by pairing its rich color with unexpected textures. This dish features Crispy Pork Shoulder and Crunchy Cracklins in a hammered copper bowl inspired by Ralph Lauren Paint’s Sea Orange.
TIP: Notice the sunlight and shadows captured in these shots. The best thing you can do to make your food shots shine is use natural light. No window nearby? Filters with cool tones are your friend.
Christopher Patrick Ernst7/7Donut adjust your screen, these eye-popping colors aren’t paint, they’re frosting, matched perfectly to the Ralph Lauren Paint event palette. Guests added to their own creative flair to a selection of dessert canapés—from cookies and tartlets to donuts and petit-fours.
TIP: Dessert is the least serious course of a meal. Have fun! Encourage your guests to get crafty with colorful gels and glazes. Sugar cookies, cakes, and pies are your blank canvas. Bonus points if you capture the mess on camera.
