What props do I need for food photography?

Placeholder image related to Beyond the Rust - Food Photography.

Forks and spoons, dishes and bowls, platters, pie pans and plates.

Food is something that we experience every day and many foods are connected to particular cultures, different seasons, and all sorts of holidays and histories. With those foods come the objects that we cook them in, serve them on, and eat them with. There is a certain beauty to things that are brand new, shiny and clean, but I find the soul in the things that are well-worn. A little tarnish and rust, scratches, grease, and wear show the love that many of those meals were created with.

To some, an object may be just a corkscrew or a cheese grater or a pretty gold-rimmed tea glass, but to others — and to me — these things are time capsules and memory triggers. They make my photographs more than a good composition or a delicious-looking sandwich. These items connect my photography to people and history.

Never Miss a Guide
Sign up for our thoughts on the latest in food, cooking, and culture. Subscribe above the fold to hear about new articles and recipes.