food photographer, food photography, los angeles, orange county, southern california » Orange County

Fleming’s Stoli Bombshell Martini | Beverage Photography

Winnie — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:06:33 +0000

People always ask me what it’s like being a food photographer. I tell them that I’m a problem solver more than anything else. Sure you’ve got to have the technical skills and an eye for food but when it all boils down, you need to deliver a final product and find solutions to obstacles. No two shoots will ever be the same — not even if it’s a repeat client. You’ve got to be prepared for anything that comes up.

Last month, when I was shooting for Fleming’s Steakhouse, we were given a last minute task to shoot their Stoli Bombshell Martini drink with a “pink” theme to support October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Our Art Director set out to local stores to find some “pink” props and came back with a plethora of goods ranging from glasses, bracelet, shawl and 2 clutches. I don’t believe there’s an exact science to tabletop or in this case bar-top styling other than trying things out and seeing if it “works”. We wanted to evoke a very “Sex and the City” mood while staying true to the Breast Cancer Awareness message but after trying several layouts, we felt something was missing to truly convey that campaign.

It wasn’t until my stylist extraordinaire and girl MacGyver, Peilin was toying with the unclasped bracelet and made it into the “pink ribbon” that everything then fell into place! To make a very long story short, we took one of the satin clutches and then pinned the “faux” pink ribbon on there making it look like the clasp of the purse. It was at that moment that we knew that was “it”! To add some more dimension to the photo, we had a model stand in the back with the pink shawl and a personal item to give it the full effect.

A bit of glimmer, a bit of shimmer, so sassy and yet still sharing the message of Breast Cancer Awareness to all. I love it. So go try out the Stoli Bombshell and support the cause – and the fact that the martini is only 99 calories doesn’t make you think twice about keeping your girlish figure (even if you aren’t a gal)!

Drink & Prop Styling by: Peilin Chen Breller

Stonehill Tavern | Editorial Food Photography

Winnie — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:16:00 +0000

Back in July, I went on assignment for Orange Coast Magazine to shoot at Stonehill Tavern in the St. Regis Monarch Beach down in Dana Point. I got an opportunity to work with the very talented Chef Black and was blown away by his attention to detail for each dish that he produced. They were all so jaw-droppingly beautiful and perfectly constructed with every detail in place that it wasn’t hard to get an amazing pic from the shoot. Let’s just say, it made our jobs infinitely easier. Anyway, I just quickly wanted to share some images with you all – I hope to be doing this a lot more often and showcase what I’ve been working on (even if I’m a wee bit behind on the posts). There’s just a lot going on these days and it’s turning out to be a busy but great Fall season. Please check back soon!

And to see which photo the magazine ended up using? Check it out here!

Food Styling by: Peilin Chen Breller

SOL Cocina in OC Magazine March 2010 | Editorial Food Photography

Winnie — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:49:37 +0000

Shooting editorial food photography is one of my favorite type of work assignments. There’s flexibility to be creative, to work with the chefs in creating something colorful for print and there’s just an overall casual feeling about these types of photo shoots. I’ve been working with Orange Coast Magazine for about 18 months consecutively and it’s always a treat to see the newest restaurant openings, meet the wonderful people who work there and if I’m lucky, taste some of their amazing food as well. I am truly appreciative to Orange Coast Magazine and the folks there who provide me all these wonderful opportunities to continue honing my craft in addition to constantly trying to meet certain standards in print photography.

In the latest March 2010 issue, I shot the Main Course article in the Dining section which covers the restaurant, SOL Cocina, in Newport Beach. Chef Deborah Schneider not only puts out amazing food but is so very kind to work with as well. The location sits right on the Balboa Bay with windows flanking the entire side of the restaurant that opens out into the marina. The food and the view combined with a very friendly staff and cool decor makes this a very nice place to drop in for a meal with friends. If you’ve never been, you should definitely check this place out – I just love their cozy firepit and insets in the wall that houses all those candles!

SideDoor, Corona Del Mar | Orange County Food Photography

Winnie — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:57:02 +0000

Happy New Year and welcome to my first post of 2010 (not to mention the first real post on my newly revised blog). If there’s any resolutions I should make this year, it will be to keep this blog updated regularly since I failed miserably last year. With that said, thanks for dropping into my Style Shoot Eat blog where I’ll be sharing projects I’ve been working on, places I’ve been to, places I’ve eaten at and whatever else that drives me creatively. I’m really looking forward to being more in touch with you by sharing about my life both professionally and personally.

One of the best part of doing what I do is seeing how my images are used in the final layout. After the shoot ends and images are submitted to clients, there’s usually a big of lag time until I see the fruits of my labor but it’s always worth it! There’s just something about seeing your work in print, on a website, on packaging that just makes you feel like a proud parent. Haha.

I was really ecstatic to have an opportunity to work with the folks at Lawry’s for their new restaurant SideDoor – an authentic English Gastropub located in Corona Del Mar, California. SideDoor combines the incredible quality of food you’d come to expect with the Lawry’s name in addition to the wide array of libations all housed in a very quaint English-style pub atmosphere. It’s casual, cozy and quaint and feels like a place you can really put your feet up at while getting tasty (and affordable) food. Ok, I’m starting to sound like I’m writing a review now…

Instead of posting the images from my shoot here, it’s best to view the images in the final element – the SideDoor website! I think the mood of the images combined with the colors of the website, really makes the images shine. The shoot covered not only food photography but also lifestyle photography for the restaurant that included models, make up artist, staging etc. Contrary to popular belief, I do actually shoot things that move and breathe. :p It’s a completely different challenge but at the same time, a treat to actually be able to interact with your subject. The hard part of shooting people is trying not to laugh when everyone else around you gets a case of the giggles. Can we say, camera shake?!

One of my absolute favorite images from the shoot was of the charcuterie chef working. I am in love with her natural beauty combined with the interior decorations/props of the charcuterie station. It just gives off such an amazing “Old World” feeling. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I hope those of you who are in the Southern California area, especially if you reside in Orange County, will have an opportunity to visit this place. It’s located inside the Four Crowns restaurant but as the name states, you enter this completely different world through the….SideDoor. Just look for the red key hanging outside.

P.S. A few images on the site are images by the client.

P.P.S. Please bear with me as I’m still tweaking things around on this site. Thank ya!

Food Styling & Make Up Artist: Peilin Chen Breller