In episode 492, Megan chats to Murielle Banackissa about how to create inspirational food photography and tell a story using lighting, props, food and textures.

Murielle Banackissa is a food photographer, food stylist, YouTuber, and soon-to-be cookbook author based in Montreal, Canada. Outside of spending hours developing new recipes and shooting them in her home studio, Murielle loves getting lost in good books, designing her bullet journal spreads, sipping on warm beverages, and going on long walks. She draws a lot of inspiration from the colors and textures found in nature. From water droplets to the sun shining through the leaves early in the morning and the orange glow of summer nights, Murielle loves paying attention to the magic surrounding her as a way to feel more grounded and present.

In this episode, you'll learn how to improve your food photography, from setting mood and learning from others to practical advice such as which lenses are best depending on where you are in your own food blogging journey.

- Intentional Photography - Tell a story by focusing on details, intention, and purpose, bringing elements like family history and special moments into visuals.

- Create Atmosphere - Consider the story and mood behind a recipe.

- Moody Photography - Moody photography evoke comfort and warmth. Achieve this style using black foam boards to control natural light and creating a cozy atmosphere.

- Learning from Others - Look at the work of other photographers for inspiration. Analyze behind-the-scenes content and experiment with different techniques.

- Creative Seasons - Accept the non-linear nature of the creative journey.

- Favorite Lens - Use a 50mm F1.8 lens, particularly for those starting in food photography. This lens allows for a low F-stop, enabling a beautiful blurry background and focus on the main subject.

- Macro Shots Capture Close-Up Details - It also highlight textures, decadence, and intricate elements of the food.

- Observing Light - It's important to observe and understand natural light. Recognizing how different lighting conditions affect food can help develop a unique style and improve photography skills.

Connect with Murielle Banackissa

Website | Instagram