Behind the Food Shoot

By: Kirsten Vala
Food Photo Shoot

It seems like everyone is a food photographer these days with iPhones, Facebook and the virtual explosion of food blogs. (The New York Times even profiled a few obsessive food shooters.) It's not just self-proclaimed foodies getting in on the action, but everyday, enthusiastic eaters who are picking up cameras with sticky, juicy hands and showing off their best bites. 

Do you imagine immortalizing your grilled steak dinner into a cover-worthy masterpiece for Food Network Magazine? Do you crave claiming first prize in the next  online cupcake competition?

Dive into the lives of the food professionals who specialize in visual culinary art tonight at 9:30pm ET on the premiere of My Life in Food. See leading food stylists and photographers dish their tips, tricks and techniques for getting the best possible food shot.

Sneak Peek: Food Stylist Trick

Ever wonder how a slice of cake can look so beautiful and precise in glossy magazines, without a hint of smeared frosting? Food stylist Brian Preston-Campbell reveals the secret: Constructing a cake slice like a tall sandwich. First he cuts triangle pieces from an unfrosted cake, then uses wooden skewers to prop one above the other, making a small tower. Finally he pipes frosting carefully between the two cake levels, along the top and sides.  Presto! Perfect cake.

Food Photography
Get inspired!

Tune in, grab your camera, and join the Pix Potluck on Cooking Channel's Facebook page by uploading your best shots, sharing your life in food through magazine-worthy, make-you-hungry pictures.

Learn more about My Life in Food.

Next Up

Check into The Food Hospital

On Cooking Channel's The Food Hospital, three medical experts will examine the science behind using food as medicine.

The Food-Focused Bride: A Food-Filled Bachelorette

From cheap eats to refined dining, my bachelorette weekend was incredibly food-filled, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

The Food-Focused Bride: Menu Tasting

A food-lovers' dream: an afternoon of tasting dishes made just for her (and her fiancé).

The Food-Focused Bride: Honeymoon Eats Preview

While I've had fun planning my wedding and am so looking forward to the big day, I might actually be even more excited to go on my honeymoon. I check out photos of the resorts daily and am constantly day dreaming about the whole experience. In true food-focused fashion, I've been researching all of my eating options while away.

By the Book: The Food of Spain

Cooking Channel reviews Claudia Roden's new cookbook "The Food of Spain" and shares Spanish recipes.

The Food-Focused Bride: Cocktails, Wine and Beer

Cooking Channel's bride-to-be covers the various alcohol options for the big day.

The Food-Focused Bride: Down to the Wire

The closer I get to my wedding, the fewer things there are to eat.

The Food-Focused Bride: Wine and Cheese Bridal Shower

Wine and cheese shower themes can be easily replicated at any venue or at home (and helps avoid embarrassing shower games).

The Food-Focused Bride: Locally Sourced Wedding Gift Bags

Since we're having a destination wedding (we live in New York City but are getting married 2 hours away in East Hampton, N.Y.) I wanted to create welcome bags filled with local products.

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