Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Feyer-Salo.
Stacy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My start as a food photographer really started when I studied to be a chef. I went to culinary school and then worked in the restaurant industry as well as a private chef, both in Grand Rapids and in Toronto, for around a decade. After deciding to start a food blog, the one thing I was really bad at was the photography. I worked so hard to get better at it that I eventually fell in love with it. Soon I had a local restaurant notice my work. It was then that I started my business. I did a lot of free work for restaurants to start. After reaching out to Grand Rapids Magazine I started getting consistent and bigger assignments, which has really grown into a strong portfolio and reputation around the city.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! Yes and no. No, because I am also the primary caregiver for my two children. My youngest was born with special needs and she required a huge amount of medical care and therapies her first year of life. And then comes 2020 and the pandemic. My oldest stayed in virtual school until Spring 2021. Building a business while managing all of that stuff was immensely challenging. For many months I was not taking on any new work outside of Grand Rapids Magazine. And also, I say yes it was a smooth road because, despite all that, I was able to challenge myself and grow my creative style and body of work. I was able to invest strictly from earnings from my business in equipment and learn new skills, particularly artificial lighting. And that growth felt really organic and easy in a way. Both of my girls are in school now which means I have been able to grow and expand into a full-time business. My biggest challenge now is getting my work in front of the right kind of clients.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a commercial and editorial food and beverage photographer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The main focus of my work is shooting recipes and food and beverage-related products in my studio but I also do a lot of photography for restaurants, bars, casinos, etc. I am most known for my pop meets moody style of photography. Bright colors, play with harsher shadows, tons of texture, and a crisp focus. Although I love playing with a lot of different styles.
In 2021 I shot 5 covers for Grand Rapids magazine, which I am immensely proud of. One, in particular, is a cocktail feature I shot in my studio highlighting beverages from local establishments that I am in love with.
What sets me apart from other photographers is my knowledge of food. I know it doesn’t seem like something that would make someone a good photographer but by really understanding food (and by that, I mean having a lot of experience manipulating it, making it beautiful, etc) you are better able to see what needs to be captured and how. I also think I am willing to take risks in my art. I don’t want to be bored by my own photographs. I want to draw people in and stand out. I use composition, color theory, and light to achieve interest and make something that is a little different than what everyone else is doing.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Because of the nature of my family life, I haven’t been able to do tons of networking. I have a number of local photographers I really admire and mostly connect with over Instagram. And the food photography community globally on Instagram is really great. My biggest source of networking has really been shooting for our local magazine. I have also made two investments in online courses. One focused on food photography and the other on building a business in photography specifically. The skills I learned in those classes have helped me immensely to grow in a number of ways as well as build relationships with other creative professionals.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stacyfeyersalo.com
- Instagram: @popkitchenstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PopKitchenBlog
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pop-kitchen-studio-grand-rapids
Image Credits
Stacy Feyer-Salo
