You Might Instagram Your Food, But Do You Carry Dental Tools?

Capturing the delicacy of brunch cuisine serve pre-dawn.

Words: Katie Hicks

What looks impeccable on the plate—and tastes delicious on the palate—can turn drab in a photograph. Even macaroni and cheese, the most heavenly of food groups, can wilt on set in the hands of an amateur. Cue the power and importance of a professional food photographer and food stylist.

Chef Steven Graham of MUNCH! Midnight Brunch saw that expertise in action. He creates hearty brunch food for post-party patrons, serving it up as Cincinnati bars are shutting it down. It’s his way of extending the social scene into the late night.

Photographer Gina Weathersby and food stylist Jeffrey Martin

To Make Steven's stick-to-your-ribs food look fresh, Tether enlisted experienced food photographer Gina Weathersby, whose creative experience includes makeup artistry, film production, and art direction. In turn, she impressed upon us the importance of working with a food stylists. Enter culinary creative Jeffrey Martin.

“A lean crew can make for a flexible
and easygoing shoot, but don’t mistake an Instagram foodie shot for the real deal.”

Jeffrey arrived equipped with a dizzying array of food styling techniques. What Steven created, Jeffrey kept alive using dental tools, drizzles of oil, or a quick blast of a torch. Once the composition was in place, Jeffrey made sure everything looked irresistibly delicious.

With producer Monica Tuck oiling the wheels by helping with everything from last-minute shopping to clearing the dishes, Gina absorbed Steven’s mood and vision—ambiance, energy, life, nighttime—and prepared the lighting and props to capture the dark, sensual vibe.

A lean crew can make for a flexible and easygoing shoot, but don’t mistake an Instagram foodie shot for the real deal. Expert food styling and photography are the difference between #whatiatetoday and a delectable meal so vibrant with color and texture that you might just nibble on the photograph, or at the very least, follow Steven to his next pop-up.