MADISON MAGAZINE: SANDWICH FEST | SHOOTING MAGAZINE COVER

SANDWICH FEST: SHOOTING MAGAZINE COVER

I’ve been photographing a lot of food lately. Maybe because food and winter go well. Maybe its because my food photography network did increase exponentially. Maybe a little bit of both. (:
One of the bigger recent assignments was an article called “Sandwich Fest” with 9 sandwiches from 9 different restaurants for 2015 February’s Madison Magazine. Art director Tim sent me several sandwich inspiration boards and I took it from there.
Once I was asked how food photography is different form and other forms of photography. I thought for a minute and said: “Maybe there is a difference, but I don’t really see it. Depending on circumstances I approach each photo shoot differently. I really work hard to make sure that food looks as appetizing in the image as it is on your plate. Every time I am asked to take pictures I do my best, or don’t do it at all.”

Food photography is more complicated than it looks. In order to capture the dish at its best I normally I start with digging out some more info about restaurant on Google first. I contact restaurant owner or manager (sometimes both and sometimes several times), schedule shoot for a very specific time of the day (so food photography doesn’t interfere with restaurants functionality). I need to put all my photo gear together (DSLR body, 35mm, 50mm and 105mm lenses), get backgrounds and lighting setup ready and transport it all to work locations afterwards. Editing kicks in after I put images on my computer. Multiply everything by 9 sandwiches (in 9 different restaurants), add some interior and restaurant staff images for variety and you got yourself 3-5 days of work. Here’s one run squeezed into 6 Vine seconds: Easy peasy lemon squeezy life of a photographer.

BELOW ARE PDF PRINTS FROM MADISON MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2015 ISSUE

TECH FACTS: All images for this assignment including Madison Magazine magazine cover were shot with Nikon D750, 2 Yongnuo YN 560 III speed lights, 2 umbrellas and few peaces of white foam board.

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Paulius Musteikis is a professional food and documentary photographer in Madison Wisconsin area. His food photography work has been published in numerous paper and online articles. Paulius Musteikis is regular food and restaurant imagery contributor to local (Isthmus, Madison Magazine, etc.) and national (Eater.com, Food And Wine, etc.) food publications.
All images © by Paulius Musteikis Photography