Here’s a little tidbit about me you may not know…I love food. Like lo-o-OOOVE it. I love making it. I love devouring it. I love sharing it with others. (In fact, I have my own food blog, albeit a sorely neglected one because I seriously need something like 89 hours in the day to do everything I’d like to do.) BUT. Something I may love just as much as all these things put together and maybe even MORE (did I just admit to that?!), is photographing it. Food is pretty, folks. Hella pretty. So when Paul, the manager at The Tupelo Grille called me up to talk to me about doing some restaurant food photography in Whitefish Montana for their brand new website, you can bet I was super stoked.

I zipped on up there on an early morning at the end of March and we (and all the great folks at Tupelo) immediately got cracking. I began photographing the space (which is cozy and full of interesting, fun art, by the way), and soon cocktails were being mixed and getting all spiffed up for their starring moment in front of the camera. We had such a great time making these images – excitement was in the air as beautiful drink upon beautiful drink came out from the bar. (Speaking of the bar/lounge, holy moly is that little nook a work of art – you’ve got to check this place out if you haven’t!)

Appetizers were next, and in between shots of each, Paul and I would sneak a few bites here and there. Those bites were amazing. And I don’t just say that lightly. There is serious talent and flavor at The Tupelo Grille. (The cocktails are incredible, too, and have won awards.)

After the cocktails had enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame, entrees began to fly our way and Paul and I had a great time styling the food for the shots, high-fiving and getting even more giddy about which images might be the main show-stopper on their new website. Not long after, desserts began to head our direction and I had a great time composing the images to showcase the artful plating of each.

I hung out for a bit to go through images, and was treated to a delicious cocktail, tasty appetizers and bread (so goooood!), and one truly flavorful meal (their signature shrimp dish is beyond divine). Paul and I began to pick our selects from the day (getting even more amped in the process), and soon diners filled up the place, local talent crooned into all reaches of the lounge, and things buzzed as the evening’s meal service got under way.

I finished my meal (so full, so good!) and stuck around to capture the energy and ambiance of the restaurant and lounge, and even got to poke around the back to watch the chefs at work, making each dish perfection.

It was a long 15-hour day, but what a fun, fun shoot! Everyone I met was so great to work with and it’s abundantly clear the folks at The Tupelo Grille really put their all into what they do and deeply care about their restaurant. But more importantly, they care about the people with whom they get to share their talents. Next time you’re in Whitefish, snag a table or a bar stool and treat yourself! You’ll certainly be glad you did!

And now…prepare to get hungry…enjoy!

On the docket:

Portraits, elopements and weddings! Don’t miss out!

Cheers,

-Kristine