“GET YOUR SAUCE ON”
Real food. Real people. Real appetite
For Get Your Sauce On, I want to capture the energy of people enjoying food together: reaching across the table, dipping, taking a generous bite and reacting to how good it tastes.
The photography should feel relaxed, lively and full of appetite, with sauce on lips, sticky fingers and laughter between bites. Those small, slightly messy moments will make the images feel real and the food feel irresistible.
PEOPLE BRING THE ENERGY
I want the eating moments to feel authentic, spontaneous and full of personality, capturing that split second of anticipation and pleasure just before, or as, someone takes a bite.
There’s room for a playful glance, a cheeky grin or an unashamed moment of pleasure. I’d encourage the talent to have fun with the food and each other, giving them simple prompts and space for unexpected reactions.
The enjoyment should feel instinctive and a little uninhibited, as though we’ve caught them forgetting the camera is there.
FOOD YOU CAN FEEL
I’d work closely with an incredible food stylist experienced in creating beautiful food for both hero shots and real eating moments. It’s about the first bite, the crunch, the sauce and those little “ooh” reactions that tell you how good it tastes.
Burgers will be built to bite into comfortably, with fresh versions ready for each take. The food will be carefully prepared, while the direction stays relaxed, giving people room to enjoy it naturally.
PEOPLE, FOOD AND CASTING
I’ve shot a great deal of work bringing people and food together for clients including Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Pimm’s and Innocent. I’m equally at home shooting on location or creating a convincing outdoor setting in a studio.
I’d cast three hero talents and two supporting talents, with the heroes rotating through the close eating moments.
I’d look for a natural mix of ages and backgrounds, and consider wardrobe alongside casting so everyone feels part of the same relaxed occasion.
MY WORK FOR HEINZ
See more and behind the scenes here
LIGHT, FOOD & FEELING
For Get Your Sauce On, the light should have the feeling of warm summer sun: bright, natural and energetic, with rich colour and shallow depth of field. The food should feel close, generous and “perfectly imperfect.”
Working closely with the food stylist, the food and sauce can be carefully controlled while still feeling completely natural within the moment.
SHOOT APPROACH
A controlled UK studio would give maximum control over the food, talent and lighting. With considered set design, planting and lighting, the warmth and feeling of a summer barbecue can be created without being dependent on the British weather.
Alternatively, shooting in a warmer climate, such as South Africa, would bring genuine summer light, heat and outdoor atmosphere, giving the imagery a naturally sun-soaked feel.
Both routes have their advantages, and the final approach would come down to timing, budget and the creative result we want to achieve.