Builders Arms Hotel – the new look

Here's some more shots from the shoot I did at the Builders Arms Hotel in Collingwood the other week. These are some of the images of the public bar downstairs that's been renovated. Even though it's had a real make-over, it's kept some of its 'pub' feel with lots of brown leather couches and black bar stools. And they've added some very cool, Melbourne touches, like the conical flasks that I'm seeing pop up everywhere at the moment. I've got one of these at home, but I use it as a decanter, whereas these guys are using them as water jugs.

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Builders Arms Hotel - Photographer must be credited

Cutler & Co food and interiors

Sometimes when you go somewhere really good to eat, you get something a bit more for your money than just a full tummy – you get an experience. This is usually when all of the little details that go into a restaurant have been thought about – the cutlery, the table cloth, the decor, the fact that the sommelier knows each and every wine on the menu inside out... So when you go to a place like Cutler and Co (another one of Andrew McConnell's restaurants), that's what you notice. The team is like a well-oiled machine, and while I was here shooting some of their food and interiors, I overheard one of their team gatherings, just before service. The preparation that goes into making sure each detail is perfect is amazing, and is really inspiring to see them at work.

They've won heaps of awards and have just won three stars from the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, making it one of Australia's very best restaurants. The food there is absolutely insane, so it's well deserved. The thing that blows you away at Cutler and Co is the styling of the food, which is like art work and makes my life as a food photographer so much easier.

Thanks to the team at Cutler and Co for making it a brilliant day of shooting.

Click on the image below to take you to a galley of some of the shots from the day.

Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited
Cutler & Co - Photographer must be credited

Moon Under Water

Everyone's taking about Moon Under Water at the moment, which is chef Andrew McConnell's new restaurant on Gertrude Street. It's part of the Builder's Arms, which he's gutted and has given a totally new look. I went here a little while back and took some shots of the amazing food they're doing there, which you can tell is going to go down a storm with all the Melbourne foodies. The room was really simple, clean and white with heaps of natural light, which is so much easier to work with in food photography.

Chef Josh Murphy is heading up the kitchen with Andrew, and they're doing a four-course meal for $75, which is awesome value for the standard of food you're getting.

 

 

Robert Burns Hotel – food from the new spring/summer menu

The Robert Burns Hotel is just down the road from where I live and it's one of those places that's perfect to drop into for a cold Spanish beer and a quick bowl of tapas. It's also got tables out on the street, which means it's a good spot for people watching on Smith Street. I've done a blog post about a shoot I did with the Robert Burns chefs some time ago, and thought at the time that it would have been awesome to shoot their food – so I was excited when they got in touch to ask me to take some shots for their new spring/summer menu, which they're using on their website.

I had a great day shooting with the guys, who let me try some of the food while I was there (one of the better perks of the job!) and it was really good –  I loved the Empanada de verduras, which was yummy filo pastry filled with vegies, and I reckon the chef, Ivan Saiz, has done a great job with the menu.

Thanks to Sorell Wilson, who did a brilliant job with assisting me on this job.

Food photography workshop at Penrith Gallery

Over the years of being a food photographer, I've worked with some really awesome home economists and food stylists. Not everyone knows how much effort and preparation  goes into getting an image of food looking 'just right'. Photography is just one aspect of it – there's all kinds of testing, tasting, trying out different props and making tiny adjustments to the food with tweezers, keeping food looking like it's just been plated, even when it's been sitting under the studio lights for an hour – not to mention making all of this look achievable to the average home cook. Regina Walter – a home economist/food stylist/artist, and a good friend of mine – approached me a while back about doing a Food Photography workshop for Penrith City Council at the Penrith Regional Gallery. The idea was to run workshop that would introduce students to all the elements that go into getting the perfect food shot, and teach them some industry tricks!

Well it's happening and here is the proof. The talented Regina Walter will be teaching the styling, including food prep, plating techniques and set composition skills, and I will be teaching lighting techniques, advice on angles, as well as guiding them through the best way to work with their camera.

I am really looking forward to it, as it will be a good chance to impart some of the knowledge I have, and am sure it will be a fun day seeing the students have a go themselves! It's set for October 18th at the Penrith Regional Gallery, and is open to year 10 & 11 students. Anyone who's interested can call 02 4735 1100 to book.

Will keep you posted on how it goes!

The Brix with Emma O'Mara & Keir Vaughan

I recently spent the afternoon with Emma & Keir at the very cool The Brix The light filled space was a joy to shoot and both Emma & Keir were a pleasure dealing with. I loved the interior of The Brix the three separate areas and the very cool bathrooms.

 

Robert Burns Hotel Collingwood Melbourne

Shot some portraits and interiors at the Robert Burns Hotel. This hotel is truly Spanish, even Spanish staff. Chef Ivan Saiz and Jose Ortega looked after me with some Iberico ham  and espresso in between shots.

Chocolate pomegranate cake for Pacific Magazines

Am back at Pacific Magazines today, working with food stylists Carolyn Feinberg and Jane Billich. I love this shot of a chocolate and pomegranate cake, which tasted as good as it looks, and has now become my the image for the homepage of my website.