Favorite Photos from 2010 | Part II : Culinary

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Delicious Panzano's...

Hungry??  So was I when photographing these culinary works of art!!  See more of Chef Elise Wiggins' impossibly delicious creations at Panzano Restaurant in the gorgeous Hotel Monaco, right in the heart of downtown Denver.

Cheers!!

To Specialize... or NOT?!

Years ago I listened as Director, Robert Altman accepted a lifetime achievement award and said that he never took a job that he knew, at the outset, how to do...

I always loved that, and would say that while I am fairly knowledgeable about the workings of my camera, lenses, light, etc., I STILL get nervous before every single shoot.

It is one of the things that keeps me fresh and passionate about my work - the fact that every shoot provides a new opportunity to learn, to compose, to work with unique light, color and subject matter - and I almost never know how I'll approach these unique conditions until I'm there.

This commission, though, really threw me for a loop as I've never shot food! Through twitter, I have been introduced to work of some incredible culinary photographers, such as NY based Adriana Mullen - LOVE her work - and have been curious to try.

I met Elise Wiggins, Executive Chef at Panzano Restaurant in Denver, while shooting the Telluride Festival of the Arts a few years back and we have been in touch ever since. When she asked me to shoot a few lamb dishes for a client of hers, I was quite nervous (even reluctant!) but excited!

Watching her prepare these dishes I couldn't help but see her as an artist sculpting works of fine art (only these sculptures taste divine), and immediately I was excited to capture whatever essence of these dishes I possibly could. My hope is that these photos make you feel perhaps a bit hungry... If so, be sure to check out her incredible creations next time you are in Denver!