Food Stylist Shares Visual Enhancement Tips
Food stylist Kristen Hess posted a behind-the-scenes video demonstrating techniques for elevating food photography. The tutorial covers the use of light, props, and textures for items like burgers and desserts. Hess stresses that small details, such as drizzles and composition, are key to enhancing visual appeal for social media.
- Kristen Hess is a freelance food stylist and photographer with over 15 years of experience, who has worked with major brands like KitchenAid, Kraft Foods, DoorDash, and Cinnabon across Chicago, NYC, and other major cities. She is also the author of the food blog "The Artful Gourmet" and is set to be featured in a TV documentary series called "Women In Power" in early 2026. - Current food photography trends emphasize authenticity with "real, imperfect" shots that show drips and crumbs, replacing overly perfect images. There is also a move towards using natural light and shadows to create moody, dramatic photos, as well as incorporating bold, vibrant colors to make food pop on screen. - In Chicago's competitive catering market, companies like Food For Thought specialize in "experiential catering" and employ Michelin-rated chefs, while Paramount Events is focusing on "foodscapes" where culinary design and decor merge. Competitors such as Tasty Catering and Jewell Events Catering have revenues estimated between $25M and $100M. - A study on the impact of visual aesthetics in the food delivery sector found that high-quality photographs were linked to a 15% increase in sales. For restaurants, a survey showed that 56.7% of respondents believe appealing food presentation is more likely to result in positive online reviews. - Luxury fashion and lifestyle brands are increasingly entering the culinary space to create immersive brand experiences. Examples include Gucci's Michelin-starred restaurant, Gucci Osteria, and collaborations like Balenciaga with high-end grocer Erewhon, indicating a trend of merging food with art and fashion to engage consumers. - The Chicago event scene features a rise in immersive and experiential dining, from multi-sensory menus at Michelin 3-star restaurants like Alinea to "Dining in the Dark" blindfolded tasting events. This reflects a broader trend where guests expect interaction and storytelling as part of their dining experience. - For 2026, Chicago catering trends include geometric presentations with precision-cut, cube-shaped foods and a return to luxury offerings like caviar service and seafood towers. The concept of "foodscapes"—where ingredients become part of the tablescape and environment—is also gaining traction as events become more visual and content-driven. - Top Chicago food photographers, such as Stephen Hamilton, are known for a style that combines still-life with live-action motion, like steam or melting cheese, to create a sense of realism. Others, like the duo Haas and Haas, focus on storytelling by not only showing the food but also the people who prepare it, a style used by clients like Virgin Hotels.
