If you take a look at the digital media, it quickly becomes clear that blogs are popular sources of inspiration! Popular topics are fashion, interior design, DIY and above all: food! From Sunday roast to pancakes to smoothie – food is perfectly staged on food blogs and then spread thousands of times via social media. A real hype!
We clicked through some foodblogs and got stuck on one of them: nom-nom.ch. The name says it all and the pictures are reminiscent of happy childhood days when grandmother used to make homemade chocolate cakes. Behind the blog are the two Zurich graphic designers Corinne and Bettina. In the following interview, Corinne and Bettina told us what their blog is all about and what food photography should be about.
Bookfactory: The Internet is full of food blogs, the competition is fierce. How does nom-nom.ch differ from other blogs?
Corinne: Many food blogs follow a trend. There are bloggers who only post vegan recipes, while others are completely dedicated to slow food or cooking without flour or sugar. Our blog focuses on the everyday. We cook down to earth, including meat and fish. Often they are simple dishes, but sometimes we also experiment with more exotic dishes. We create our own recipes, playing with flavours, colours and textures and paying attention to seasonal and regional products. However, our blog is not only intended to provide instructions on how to cook, but above all to encourage courage and the joy of experimenting for our own creations. We find this more inspiring than a step-by-step guide, especially for everyday cooking.
Bookfactory: What does your photo studio look like and what equipment do you use?
Bettina: The shootings always take place at our home. Since we work with natural light, we always have to take pictures during the day. Fortunately there is a corner in Corinne’s room with a generous window front. Beside a good camera (we photograph with a Canon 7D, 50mm, 1.4) we attach great importance to the styling with suitable props. We have set up a warehouse in the floor screed of Corinne, where beautiful porcelain, all kinds of towels, plates, cutlery and decorative materials are stacked. A good selection is important, so that mood is created and the food can be optimally staged.
Bookfactory: You hear again and again that food bloggers and food stylists prepare their food with hair varnish and other aids to make it look perfect. Is your food still enjoyable after the shooting?
Corinne: That’s true, many food photographers and stylists help with tricks to get flawless pictures. It’s just that cooked food doesn’t look good anymore after a short time. Sometimes we also help a little, but more with preparation techniques than with artificial aids. We don’t want to transport flawlessness in our picture style. Our pictures live through the natural staging, so the food is appetising and not plasticized. Rather we look for the attractiveness in the imperfect. The carrots may therefore be crooked and crumbs may remain next to the bread or cake. So far yes, our food is still enjoyable after the shooting.
Bookfactory: Are there any other tips and tricks you should pay attention to?
Bettina: Light is one of the most important components. As I said, we work with daylight, which allows for natural shots with soft shadows. A macro lens is ideal for bringing out textures beautifully. As a food photographer, you also need to develop a sense of composition and styling, which is essential for the images to be authentic and coherent.
Corinne: There is nothing like trying and experimenting. This requires a lot of time and patience. For a blog entry we are often busy for a whole day – what seems so easy is a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Through cooperations with companies from the kitchen industry or the online magazine SI Style, we have already been able to enter into exciting collaborations. The most important thing for us is the passion at work and we are curious which further projects will develop from it.
Bookfactory: Thank you very much for the interview and good luck with your blog!
The two graphic designers Bettina and Corinne work and live in Zurich. The two have in common not only their work and their mutual circle of friends, but also their great passion for baking, cooking and eating. They have created the blog nom-nom.ch to make this passion visible beyond the table and the rim of the plate.
www.nom-nom.ch Folge NOM NOM auf Instagram
Blog on paper: Although the blog is a digital format, there is nothing to stop a selection of images from being immortalized in a book or brochure. On the contrary, beautiful pictures on paper look even more valuable and timeless – for example in a booklet that can be created quickly and easily with the photo book software. An ideal gift or souvenir. For experienced designers we recommend the professional book design with our Online-Service PDF-to-Book.
Selected images combined in one booklet. You can design booklets and many other photo book formats quickly and easily in the online or in the photo book software.
