Food photography is commonly understood by those in the industry to be a detail-oriented task. At a recent photo shoot for Off Leash, I got to see what it takes to get that perfect menu-ready photo. Goliath Consulting Group is the company in charge of making this happen. They help to coordinate and execute photo shoots with PR firms and photographers for their clients.

Upon entering the kitchen my eyes were immediately drawn to the array of food spread over the countertops. The attention to detail was clear from the start. The goal was the look of fresh and appetizing food to best represent the menu. This detail flowed into all areas of this process— even food waste was reduced to only what was necessary. The reuse of ingredients helped minimize the amount of food needed to get the perfect shot.
Jay Bandy, president of Goliath, ensured every menu item was plated aesthetically. There was even a designated job to find the “perfect chips” for optimal presentation. Once ready, the plated food items and drinks were taken to the photographer for the final shot. Lighting and angles are taken into consideration to make the meal look its best.

While behind the scenes of a photoshoot can get a bit messy, the end result is worth it for the restaurant— it gives the viewer a better insight into this well-thought-out process.