Food Photography - Libby Vision Blog

Photographer Libby Gellis creates beautiful Food photography. LibbyVision Food & Restaurant Photography, Palm Beach County, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and all of South Florida

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  I got an amazing request a few weeks ago which led to the opportunity to photograph a restaurant that I’ve loved for a very long time. Bay Bay’s Chicken and Waffles – known throughout Palm Beach County for two things: Greeting everyone who enters the store with a loud, warm “Welcome to Bay Bay’s!” and serving up THE BEST chicken and waffles in these parts.

    Why you have to visit Bay Bay’s

  I’m pretty certain I visited Bay Bay’s the first month they were open and if not, it was soon after that. And if you don’t live in South Florida and have come to visit me, I’ve taken you there. There’s no oceanfront view at Bay Bay’s; instead you lovingly watch the waffle makers and chicken tenders. And even though I’ve never strayed from ordering the chicken and waffles, they DO make delicious other southern favorites, which I learned on our shoot after I attacked the ribs after nailing the picture. So, so good.

    Bay Bay’s – a photo shoot with a perfect waffle smell

  I was giddy over this photo shoot. Not just because I took my husband here on his birthday for the dessert waffle, not just because Israel and his beautiful wife are doing all the hard work it requires to make a small business successful – which they are and which Bay Bay’s is. I love working with locals – local owners, local chefs, local restaurants and places that I visit constantly. It makes what I do all the more rewarding.

  A food photographer with a vision

  But then the shoot started and I realized by far the most special thing. Israel and his wife Kimona wanted “LibbyVision” – the whole reason I started my company. They had hired me not just because I had a good camera and knew how to operate it but because they wanted my story-telling, moody images. Huzzah!

  Working with restaurants like Bay Bay’s is the best part of my job.  I hear they’re going to put the pictures on the walls in their third location – I can’t wait to come visit them. And of course, the greeting that will accompany it.

Photographing Bay Bay’s – on being hired for your vision I got an amazing request a few weeks ago which led to the opportunity to photograph a restaurant that I’ve loved for a very long time.

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Food photography workshop by Libby Vision

Food photography workshop by Libby Vision

  Guess what time it is guys? It’s time to do another food photography workshop!   See real food photographer in action!   This one will be held in a slightly different format. Rather than hours of listening to me, this will be a shorter, more hands-on class. You’ll still get packed information designed to help you with all your food photography goals and we’ll pivot quickly from lessons into…

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Art exhibit Tequesta – Food photography exhibition

Two months ago, I was getting ready for my first gallery opening – food photography exhibition at Oceana Coffee. I was going to bed early to get my beauty sleep (HA!), and seriously pondering a friend’s advice to do a shot a few hours before the event to calm the nerves. (I didn’t, in case you were wondering though I think the advice was solid.)

I worried that no one would show up at the exhibition though when I finally stood in front of everyone, I could barely get my well-practiced litany of thank-you’s out (there was kind of a big crowd there). It was amazing, to see the support for my food photography work of this wonderful community  that I love so much. And so amazing to see the pictures that matter to me in a place that I love (it was my first exhibition so I was even more excited)  surrounded by the people I truly truly love.

We raised so much money for #NoKidHungry at the food photography exhibition – more than $1400 to be precise. Of course it’s a drop in the bucket of what we need but every little bit helps.

Want to hang my pictures from the food exhibition on your wall?

All the pictures hanging on the wall are for sale – please contact me at [email protected] if you’d like to buy any of them. Here are some of the pictures that are currently on display.

So far we’ve sold five of them, which is great because I don’t exactly know where I’m going to store any of them after the exhibit is over!

The pictures will be on display until April 15 and I love, love, love showing everyone the work. Please let me know if you’d like to see them with me.

Food photography exhibition – two month later Two months ago, I was getting ready for my first gallery opening - food photography exhibition at…

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On Sunday, I drove to Miami to photograph Les Dames d’Escoffier Tropical Brunch. It was a celebration of many things: the last beautiful spring day in Florida before warm weather set in, a delightful setting and all the beautiful ladies I’ve gotten to know this year as a “Dame.”

If you should ask, I’ll tell you that being a Dame is kind of like being in a culinary sorority. It’s a group of ladies of all ages and all backgrounds that come together today because we’re all obsessed with food. It’s about sisterhood. Helping the fellow #ladyboss. About celebrating each other, celebrating the culinary arts and always, always enjoying the great bites in life.

I owe my affiliation to Les Dames to my dear friend Katy Lynch of Savor Tonight – together she and I split the driving duties from West Palm Beach to join our Miami sisters at the monthly events.

The Tropical Brunch was held at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens – my first visit but it won’t be my last. So many amazing bites – and oh the desserts. But the bite that stole my heart? Little sandwiches – at first I discounted them as grilled cheese. Little did I know they were stuffed with foie gras and peanut butter. Yes please.

On Being a Dame (and the Tropical Brunch that follows) On Sunday, I drove to Miami to photograph Les Dames d’Escoffier Tropical Brunch. It was a celebration of many things: the last beautiful spring day in Florida before warm weather set in, a delightful setting and all the beautiful ladies I’ve gotten to know this year as a “Dame.”

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  Celis Produce isn’t just a place to stop in to pick up a bunch of organic produce although you can do that of course. And the first time you’re there, wandering up and down the aisles, taking it all in, you might not completely get it. Produce. Cute cards. Beautiful flowers. Smoothies and fresh juices. Okay.

But the next time you’re driving past it on Dixie Highway and remember, “I need two onions for dinner” and veer off to make a quick run into the store – then stumble out 20 minutes later after meeting 5 new friends, after Alex Celis remembers you and asks you about something you talked about that first time in the store, after he shares with you a new juice he’s testing out and after you have about five fantastic products you didn’t think you needed and a beautiful bouquet of flowers that you can’t stop instagramming and an invitation to an art opening that night – then you get it.

Celis – the man and the store – isn’t about what you’re buying. It’s about a feeling. It’s about community.

    Alex Celis along with his brothers Felipe and Camilo grew up in the produce business – their father had a Farmer’s Market on Dixie Highway, just down the street from their current store. The brothers grew up in that store, sneaking apples off the shelf, eating mandarins while wandering the aisles.

“It’s in our blood,” Alex said. “But I wanted to approach the produce business a little different, sort of a new generation style of produce market. Something intimate, organic and offering a nice variety of produce with grocery items and Celis was born.” Today, the Celis brothers are the headquarters to a revolution of sorts. An organic, community-oriented, locally-sourced, kindness based revolution.

In addition to the market, Celis Produce offers a co-op/delivery service, which is how it began as well as sells at the West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens Greenmarkets.

The store itself offers thoughtfully curated items from locals: Hadyima spices, hot sauces, local rice, One Kombucha, vegan protein bars, local eggs, local honey, local beer, local bread. All their produce is organic. They carry fresh flowers from Flower and Fringe and cards from Heart Swell.

But the best part isn’t the products, although the products are amazing. It’s the feeling when you walk in the door – the conversations, the people you meet, the love in the air and the feeling when you walk out the door. Full bag, full heart.

    Q and A with Alex 

Hometown? West Palm Beach, FL.

Favorite restaurant? Malakor.

Favorite food? Thai.

Favorite Vegetable? Avocado (even though its considered a fruit).

Favorite book? Mailman on fire.

Favorite recipe? Avocado toast.

Favorite app? Skillshare.

Favorite city? Medellin, Colombia.

  Alex Celis

  Alex Celis’ little secrets

  Little known fact about Alex? I’m a terrible singer.

Favorite “secret” spot in WPB? It’s a secret (lol).

Best part of the WPB community? We are watching it form right before our eyes and its molding into something beautiful.

How you spend your time when not at the store? Bike rides, photography, cooking.

  Alex Celis as an entrepreneur

Hardest thing about being an entrepreneur? Balance.

Best thing about being an entrepreneur? Building something from nothing.

If you could give advice to someone starting their own business, what would it be? Be ready to work long hours.

Best piece of advice you got when starting out? Work hard and be brave!

  Alex Celis

Why Celis Produce is a must visit place Celis Produce isn’t just a place to stop in to pick up a bunch of organic produce although you can do that of course.

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  Grato Penne

One of my bucket list photo shoots happened just a few months ago in Grato, when I had the opportunity to work with the masterful chef Clay Conley. Like many in south Florida, I met Clay through his food.  First, Buccan. I fell head over heels in love with Buccans’s small plates, so masterfully prepared (that steak tartare with a crispy egg yolk!). Buccan’s graceful ambiance and impeccable service put me over the edge. Then I got to know Clay while working on stories for The Palm Beach Post and wrote about Imoto, which translates into Little Sister. I love Imoto – they’ve got an amazing happy hour and the most spectacular sushi bites.

So when he opened his third restaurant, Grato, in West Palm Beach, I jumped at the opportunity to work with him and his beautiful, bubbly wife Averill. The Conley’s are amazing – I’m so incredibly grateful that we have them and their restaurants in our county.

Doing the photos for Grato was AMAZING! We started out with the food photos – I brought in Janderyn Makris from Earth and Sugar to do the visual styling. I wanted Janderyn’s gorgeous, animated styling to connect the dishes to the ingredients in gorgeous, styled shots that still felt accessible. We wanted a rustic look that represented Clay’s superior skills and showcased the beauty of his food. We kept the light natural-based to accentuate a rustic feel. The props? Also accessible and in a similar tonal range.

They’re some of my favorite pictures I’ve taken.

Then we moved onto portraits and interiors. The interiors – which always take a long time to photograph properly – captured the color and vibrancy of the restaurant. They were SO much fun.

It’s a beautiful restaurant – beautiful from every touch in the interiors to the love expressed from each and every chef.

We finished up the shoot with portraits, though by far my favorite portrait was a quick snap captured of Clay making pizzas in the middle. It has all of the elements I love in a picture, that my first mentor Joel Sartore taught me years ago – beautiful light, clean background – and maybe a moment.

Now, onto Grato’s food. Affordable, delicious, small plates meant to be shared and enjoyed with people you love. But if you really want to change your life, order the Mustard Orecchiette made with rabbit, sausage and broccoli rabe. The brick-oven pizza is a home run and the presence of the brick oven will remind everyone of Buccan – Clay loves the act of cooking in a super hot oven. The crostinis are a delight and the desserts, created by the charming pastry chef Garth Deppa are not to be missed no matter how full you are.

And the best news I’ve heard? They’re going to start serving brunch very soon! Holla!!

Links: gratowpb.com

Cool links that Grato has had stories published in lately:

Miami.com

New York Post

The Wall Street Journal

Grato Chefs

Food photography for Grato and masterful chef Clay Conley One of my bucket list photo shoots happened just a few months ago in Grato, when I had the opportunity to work with the masterful chef Clay Conley.

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There are few things I love photographing as much as a Swank Farm Dinner. The chefs, the food, the Swanks, the food, the produce, the food, the guests, the food.

It’s got all the elements for beautiful food photography: Captivating light, artfully prepared dishes, gorgeous guests and the most lovely farm. It’s a farm that I feel at home on – a farm where my cowboy boots are proper footwear and where the fields remind me gently of home, comforting me when I didn’t know that I was homesick.

  Swank Farm philosophy

The Swank’s pull together the best of our community – the most creative (and fun!) chefs and amazing beverage producers – not just sommeliers and brewers but coffee and tea, kombucha and mixologists. My friend Halle from Flower and Fringe puts together stunning displays for the tables and the barn looks like it’s out of a magazine every single night. It’s truly amazing and I’m so grateful every time I attend to not only be at the event but that the Swank’s put on these dinner’s at all. I’m sure it’s exhausting. But we are SO lucky to have these dinners in our community.

  And the Oscar goes to…Libby the food photographer!

Jodi asked if I would play the roll of “paparazzi” for her Academy Awards dinner. I was delighted and of course I agreed! Along with Ian from Two Fish Creative and Frankie from Coco Prop Shop, we lined the Red Carpet and snapped away, good-naturedly throwing an occasional elbow, calling out to the guests “who are you wearing tonight!” and jockeying for the best picture. Behavior that none of us would exhibit in real life of course but that we had a blast playing for the show. The guests loved it as well.

  After our red carpet debut ended, we got to stay and enjoy the dinner. It was even sweeter for me as my dear friend Samantha was in town and got to experience the dinner with me.

Of course, I couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures – particularly of the gorgeous hors d’oeurves.

  Now, let’s talk about Swank Farm’s food

Dinner was prepared by a group of rock star chefs including Chef Michael Hackman of Aioli – one of our absolute favorite restaurants. Located just around the corner from our house, we love them SO much. He made Seminole Beef Cheeks with Celery Bacon Bread Pudding and a root vegetable sorta. Chef Nick Martinkovic from Jereve at Emko prepared Smoke Sable with coal roasted cabbage, aged beets in melted bone marrow and wild rice bineshi. Chef Josh Thomsen from Eau Palm Beach prepared Elysian Fields Lamb, Swank Farm beans, eggplant caponata and salsa verde. Finally, for dessert Eau’s Pastry Chef Robert Bellini created tiny little choclate Oscars in a gold luster with a red raspberry ganache. Delicious. And gorgeous. And we were SO full.

The next Swank event will be held March 6 from 4-8 but it is sold out. For more information on future events, check out their web site at http://www.swankspecialtyproduce.com

And find Jodi at the Greenmarket in West Palm Beach on Saturday mornings.

Swank Farm Dinner There are few things I love photographing as much as a Swank Farm Dinner. The chefs, the food, the Swanks, the food, the produce, the food, the guests, the food.

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  I first met Halle Frey from Flower and Fringe because of Instagram. I’m an instagram junkie – obsessed with beautiful pictures cascading through my feed all day. Her feed in particular caught my eye (@FlowerAndFringe) and at the time, I only knew I wanted her floral style in my house. I was in a rare fit of redecorating. Believe me, as visual as I am, aside from gorgeous walls the house isn’t Vanity Fair-esque. At all. But I wanted to spruce up the bedroom and add some femininity to it and I had in my mind a vase of beautiful dried flowers.

Halle was just starting her company after working on a yacht. I started stalking following her online and begged her to meet me. She seemed unfazed by my persistence and after explaining what I wanted, she created a couple of gorgeous displays that dried perfectly and still adorn my bedroom. Along the way, I started buying bouquets from her. Like, all the time.

I LOVE having fresh flowers in the house. They remind me of my mother. They remind me of life. On a recent Saturday Night Live skit, Leslie Jones told her next love to never bring her flowers, that they reminded her of death but I couldn’t disagree more. Flowers are hope, beauty, life, joy.

So that was the beginning – then it blossomed into a friendship and then I started bringing her along on photo shoots to do visual styling with me. She’s got a gorgeous eye and I love, love, love working with her.

Her business, Flower and Fringe, creates the flowers for weddings, personal styling in houses (she decorated my house for Christmas for instance), restaurants, businesses. She created a 40-foot garland used in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. She created flower crowns for my dogs (and she does people too and infants for photo shoots). She does workshops around town and pop-up markets where she sells her flowers and creates custom bouquets. Most recently, she created gorgeous heart-shaped wreaths on the back wall at Subculture and people in the town of West Palm Beach added their love letters for Valentine’s Day.

Today, she manages to be both a wonderful florist and has single-handedly captivated all of South Florida with her unique, untamed floral displays and a blooming business. She’s coming into her own as she learns to balance work and play though I always wish she slept more. But I get it – she’s a young entrepreneur. I love being able to share business ideas and motivation with her. She’s got wonderful energy and heart and it’s fun to watch her along this path. And above all, you can see how much she truly cares – about her clients, her friends, her displays, her weddings, her business and perhaps most deeply, about the community of downtown West Palm Beach. She’s one of the reasons that this little community is growing into such a fantastic place and I have a feeling she’s going to be an integral part of what it becomes in the future. So keep your eyes on her and Flower and Fringe. Big things are coming.

I begged her to answer a few questions for me in the middle of wedding season (she also has a really hard time saying no to me – haha) so we could share a little more about Halle with you!

Intro

Instagram: @FlowerAndFringe

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

What I’ve learned from Halle Frey: To take time every day to appreciate the beauty in life

How she helps me: SO many ways! Halle Frey provides flowers for my photo shoots, she works as a visual stylist on projects with me, she gives me inspiration by creating beauty and she’s a great entrepreneur to discuss business struggles and triumphs with. Even though we’re in different fields (photography vs. flowers) as women running our own businesses that are both taking off, we are facing the same struggles – not enough sleep, growth, and a deep dislike for paperwork. Having someone that you can simply text “I HATE PROPOSALS” makes you feel so much less alone.

  A few of Halle’s favorite things…

Restaurant: My weekly spot, Hullabaloo

Happy hour spot: Imoto

Flower: Queen Ann’s Lace, lots of greenery

Book: Sweet Potato Pie Society

Assignment: When a client gives me creative freedom

Favorite part of the day: I like my early morning walks with my dog Daisy. I grab a coffee and walk down by the water.

Country you most want to visit: Italy has my heart. The next place I would like to visit is Spain.

  Something about Halle Frey you might not know

I have a little anchor tattoo that I got when I was 30. It symbolizes hope for me and reminds me of my time at sea.

  Halle Frey as an entrepreneur

Hardest thing about being an entrepreneur: Balancing personal and work life. right now my personal life feels nonexistent but I’m working on changing that, haha.

Best part about working for yourself: The creative freedom and the ability to grow your business however you dream.

Bucket list assignment: It’s not so much of an assignment but a vision for F&F. I would like to have a new space that is inviting to the WPB community.

Local Spotlight – Feature on Halle Frey of Flower and Fringe I first met Halle Frey from Flower and Fringe because of Instagram. I’m an instagram junkie – obsessed with beautiful pictures cascading through my feed all day.

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I met Chris Marshall from Hampton Forks at a latte contest last year at Oceana Coffee, although to be honest it felt like I’d known him for years. Fast friends. Chris was gracious enough to provide the food for my photography opening in January so I of course, jumped at the chance to photograph his food.

Chris’ food is exquisite. It’s like a present given to you on a plate – almost too pretty to eat but of course, at first bite you have no qualms about that decision. His use of color, the blending of flavors, his high quality product and the menu creation is the mark of a true genius.

He creates beautiful wine dinners, caters creative dinners, collaborates with wonderful people to create custom events and provides gourmet take-away. He does a lot with a beatific smile.

In addition, he cooks for special occasions such as the Super Bowl and Thanksgiving. I hate to suggest this but if you come up with a great culinary idea, I’m pretty sure Chris will think of a way to pull it off. I can’t wait to shoot more of his food at Hamptin Forks but until then here are a few images to get us started.

For more information, please visit Hampton Forks site  or send an email to [email protected].

Hampton Forks – photographing food for a fast friend I met Chris Marshall from Hampton Forks at a latte contest last year at Oceana Coffee…

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I’m not a Valentine’s Day person. At all. First of all, we don’t go out to eat on Valentine’s Day as all of our favorite restaurants are super-busy and filled with awkward dates and women wearing red and I don’t look good in red.

Service can be challenging as it’s one of the busiest nights of the year and being forced to be romantic isn’t really our thing. You know what I think is romantic? When my husband puts gas in my car for me. A dozen red roses on February 14? Not my kind of romance. But – it’s awesome if it’s your kind of romance!!

But I still like to give presents.

So about a month ago I had the brilliant idea of dressing our dogs up in Flower Crowns and photographing them. Our dogs are kind of the reason we’re together – we aren’t in the habit of normally dressing them up mind you. But, you know – an occasional special occasion.

The little gray mutt is Adam’s dog – she goes by Doubleday (the founder of baseball). The big red one is my dog, Kira – she’s a Rhodesian Ridgeack.

The flower crowns were made by Halle Frey of Flower and Fringe– my brilliant friend who is in my phone at my “soulmate florist.” I think she makes more flower crowns for babies and weddings and people but she did such an amazing job on the dogs. And how cute is that necklace?

And in case you were wondering, the dogs actually loved being photographed in them because it meant they got carrots. They’d take turns, shake off the flower crowns, eat their carrots, run away and then run back right away.

The final products were printed on 20 by 30 metal prints by my guy Will at ShinyPrints. And because I was so excited and couldn’t wait until Valentine’s Day, they were put up on our wall early so my hubby saw them day he got back from his business trip.

Awkward Pet Photos for Valentine’s Day I’m not a Valentine’s Day person. At all. First of all, we don’t go out to eat on Valentine’s Day as all of our favorite restaurants are super-busy and filled with awkward dates and women wearing red and I don’t look good in red.

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Beekeeper

In my old days, as a photojournalist for the Palm Beach Post, I often went on exciting locations and met really interesting people. Today as a full-time food photographer, I still get to meet fascinating people, but the locations generally don’t get more exciting than kitchens. Which, don’t get me wrong, can be super exciting. But when you come from a profession who’s office once included murder scenes, the Florida everglades, helicopter rides, polo, or an occasional NFL field, sometimes tends to feel similar.

Don’t get me wrong at all – I have never, ever, ever been happier in my life. Being a food photographer is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I also fully appreciate that none of my chefs are going to kill me, eat me, run over me or stomp on me and break all my bones. It’s the little things.

Chef Andy

Still, I was pretty excited when the Boca Raton Resort and Club asked if I’d meet Chef Andy out at the local beekeeper and get some shots of the two of them with all of her bees. I was even more excited when I realized the days work included me inside a beekeeper outfit. I learned quickly as a young photojournalist that if your assignment for the day included protective clothing, you were pretty much guaranteed to have a good time.

Roxanne and chef Andy

The Boca Resort works with beekeeper Roxanne to bring in her amazing local honey at the resort. And everyone knows the medicinal, healing qualities of incorporating local honey into your diet. But they don’t stop there. Roxanne sets up the best displays, actually bringing down live bees to show the guests who come    from conferences the life of a bee. During the breaks  from their intensive meetings, the guests fuel up on  healthy treats, including her local honey, then return to  their meetings energized.

Roxanne is a dedicated beekeeper, fully committed to her bees or her “girls” as she calls them. The entire afternoon we spent with them, you could see the love and respect she has for her hive.

She was preparing them for a road trip – the day after our visit the girls were going out to California to

pollinate the almond fields for the summer. Then, they would be driven to Maine to work on the blueberry fields before returning to Florida.

Here in Florida, Roxanne and her bees create a wildflower orange honey as well as a Palmetto honey. The taste is rich and luxurious. I love to think of her bees playing out in California right now.

As far as me, I kept the beekeepers hat on for the first few hours, then eventually we all took ours off. As I explained to my husband later that night – you could tell the bees were interested and happy to have us there. They’d never seen a picnic in their field before.

I love bees. I’ve always loved what they can do and their contributions and I’ve always been worried about their extinction. It warms my heart to see Roxanne’s contributions and to see the Boca Resort doing so much as well by bringing in such a wonderful beekeeper.

And her honey…it’s truly amazing.

Roxanne and chef Andy

Bee Keeper photos for the Boca Resort and Club In my old days, as a photojournalist for the Palm Beach Post, I often went on exciting locations and met really interesting people.

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Kai Kai Farm

I’m a big supporter of farm-to-table restaurants – even more of a fan of table-to farm events. So when I saw that Kai Kai farm was hosting a big Vegan dinner on January 31. 2016, I hurriedly marked our calendars.  When Kai Kai asked if I would be their official food-farm-event/food photographer it was a no-brainer. I’ve loved Kai Kai since the moment I set food on their soil, from the moment I first saw my first sunrise from their fields, probably, not to get too poetic, from the moment I first tasted one of their Happy Rich vegetables. It’s magic out there.

The last farm table event I attended, my hubs and I started talking to a sweet young couple and they became great friends of ours. So we made sure Sarah and Joe would be attending the Vegan dinner with us, grabbed a few other friends and got ready for a wonderful night.

  Cocktails came in the form of our friends from One Kombucha as well as Myco Tea – I’d seen this product in Celis Produce before but it was fun to talk to them and try the product. There was a fabulous lemonade made with vinegar – right up my ally. Farm tours with Diane, strolling the fields, getting away from the hustle-bustle of everything.

The Vegan Dinner was served by Chef Alex Chelblal who presented us with course after course of inventively prepared veggies, showcasing the freshest vegetables we could try.

  For some vegetarians and vegans, it was a chance to feast without worrying about what to eat. For others, it was a chance to explore veganism. And for some, like my sweet hubs and me, it was simply another awesome night out at the farm with great people.

Kai Kai Farm: 8006 SW Kanner Hwy • Indiantown, Florida 34956

Phone: [phone] • http://www.kaikaifarm.com

Kai Kai Farm by night

When a food photographer gets a chance to explore veganism I’m a big supporter of farm-to-table restaurants – even more of a fan of table-to farm events.

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Mussels Marinara

Whenever it gets stormy outside I’m reminded of a photo shoot we had about two weeks ago at Testa’s Restaurant. It was a torrential downpour the second days – our phones lit up with tornado warnings and we were working in Testa’s gorgeous patio. We decided if Testa’s had withstood the pounding of hurricanes and tropical storms year after year, a measly tornado warning was nothing to be worried about.

Testa’s is celebrating it’s 95th year – that’s amazing – that much history in one charming establishment? Testa’s originally opened in 1921. Back then, it was a seven-seat soda fountain. Today, it’s the third-oldest continual owner restaurant in Florida. Hello, history.

We shot for two days providing photos to revamp their entire menu and web site. From a breakfast trio to their sunset menu, dish after dish. It was a joy to work with Tom Testa and his team in such a historic restaurant. Another bonus came from working with food stylist Claire Perez, who fluffed the lettuce leaves, shined the tomatoes and helped each dish to shine. Plus, she brought along her cool collection of props – which for a food photographer is like kids sharing baseball cards.

Testa’s is located at 221 Royal Poinciana Way on Palm Beach and opens daily at 7:30. Don’t miss their gorgeous breakfast spread but make sure your return for their towering strawberry pie. It’s the stuff of legends. http://testasrestaurants.com

Stone Crab Claws

Food Photography in Testa’s Restaurant Palm Beach, FL: hello history! Whenever it gets stormy outside I’m reminded of a photo shoot we had about two weeks ago at Testa’s Restaurant.

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Food Photography Exhibit Florida

So Monday night we raised more than $1400 for Share Our Strength – No Kid Hungry. That’s 1400 meals that all of us helped to provide. That’s a lot of full bellies because all of you came out to look at some pictures of food and hang out with some really cool people. When I heard the final numbers I almost burst into tears. It wasn’t the first time I was seriously reconsidering my brazen decision to not go with waterproof mascara.

Monday night was incredibly special not because it was my first solo exhibition. It was special because I had all my people gathered in a room together – people that I could not wait to introduce to each other. I spent the whole night not just reveling in ALL the people but in weaving through the crowd and bringing one person to another – “have you met this person?” Have you met my dear friend? Have you met my dear friend?” One of my favorite moments was at the end of the night when my old roommate was laughing with a photographer friend and they turned to me and said “how come you haven’t introduce us until now? We’re already best friends!” It was like that the whole night.

There’s something really special going on in this community right now – and we’re all a part of this beautiful community. From the creatives to the growers to the creators to the business people, we’re all able to help each other and I’m so excited, so thrilled to be a part of this gorgeous circle. I’m so excited to see these relationships develop, to see what happens next.

Thank you all so much for coming out and supporting No Kid Hungry and me! The pictures will be on display through April 15. All images are for sale and can be made in different sizes to suit your needs. Just ask.

Plated – the aftermath So Monday night we raised more than $1400 for Share Our Strength - No Kid Hungry…

[libbyvisionblog]

  I have a feeling 2016 is going to be a spectacular year in so many ways – starting out with my first solo exhibition.

I love art – I get lost in art museums – always have. When I was a college kid studying in Chicago, I’d spend afternoon staring at Monet’s haystacks, trying to decide which was my favorite. I’m not sure, why I thought I needed to have a favorite but I’ve always liked categorizing things.

But it’s never been a goal to have an art show. I just want to make my clients happy,maybe, maybe produce something that makes my heart sing a little bit. So when Amy Angelo of Oceana Coffee, one of the most amazing clients, asked if I wanted to display my photography at their beautiful coffee lounge, I was beyond amazed.

I’d seen the photographers they’d displayed before me – Jack Bates, Jacquie Roecker – beautifully talented photographers that I met through Oceana and today,feel so grateful to know them.

  We’ll be having an artist’s reception on Monday, January 25 from 6-8 p.m. at Oceana Coffee. The photographs will be displayed until April 15.

I was nerdily excited during the hanging process – but I decided it was okay to be so excited. This is a big deal for me; I’ve never had a solo exhibit, it might even be normal to be so excited.

The reception will be a fundraiser to an organization that is very dear to my heart – Share Our Strength #NoKidHungry – which works to put food in the bellies of kids in our community.

Food will be provided by the insanely talented Chris Marshall from Hampton Forksand the vino will be flowing courtesy of Howard Freedland from Bulletproof Wines. Cost is a suggested donation of $10 and we’ll be auctioning off one of my photos as well to a lucky winner. Hope you can make it. Actually, I really, really want you to be there.

Plated I have a feeling 2016 is going to be a spectacular year in so many ways – starting out with my first solo exhibition.

[libbyvisionblog]

Florida Food and Farm – Pickles

Florida Food and Farm – Pickles

Another issue of one of my favorite magazines hit the stands this week – Florida Food and Farm, which celebrates all the things I love so much, all wrapped up in one well-designed, informative, beautiful mag. FF and F invests in their photographers so it’s always a feast for the eyes and, as one of their photographers, I appreciate that SO much. They provide information on procuring fresh, fabulous food and supports their farmers. It tells the unsung stories of the farmers that help us to live better lives. This magazine is superb.

I love contributing to it – I love working with farmers, chefs, creators – whatever they’ve got for me, I love being able to do.

This issue was pickles! And it shouldn’t surprise anyone else considering my DIY proclivities that I love pickles. I remember my grandmother’s homemade pickles well – I would give so much to have her watermelon pickles today.

Here are a few of our favorite images. Styling was provided by the amazing Janderyn Makris – every time I get the chance to play with her in the kitchen, I greedily snatch it.

Grab an issue of the beautiful magazine and see it for yourself in print! The magazine is carried throughout South Florida – check out where the nearest location is by visiting http://floridafoodandfarm.com/distribution/

Florida Food and Farm ⋆ Food Photography and Styling Another issue of one of my favorite magazines hit the stands this week – Florida Food and Farm…

[libbyvisionblog]

Boynton Beach Cocktail Photography Florida

Boynton Beach Cocktail Photography Florida

Last week I finished up a cocktail shoot at the Village Tavern. There are 11 Village Taverns located not just around the nation but with one location in the Philippines as well.

It was a really fun cocktail shoot – we ran the gamut from dark, moody bourbon drinks (be still my beating heart) to light, fun fruity shots. (Photographs, that is, not the other kind.) I love shooting cocktails – the way you can bend light through a glass, how you can make a garnish dance through along the top of a glass, telling the story of the beverage by the light and the composition.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the shoot. I hope you enjoy!

Village Tavern ⋆ Cocktail Photography * Boynton Beach, Florida Last week I finished up a cocktail shoot at the Village Tavern. There are 11 Village Taverns…