Kitchen Thyme Design Studio sits in a quaint boutique style shop in the heart of Bushnell’s Basin on Kreag Road in Pittsford, NY and this month As Platter Chatter writer, I eat and write about my fair share of delicious food. In a way, you could say those are my talents – eating and writing. But to make the monthly column as mouthwatering as it is, waxing poetic can only go so far. 

Indeed, any instafoodie will tell you that in this day and age, we’re hungry for food pics. And to create a mouthwatering food photograph, one has to consider far more than just how good the food itself looks. From lighting to placement to minute detail, there a litany of minute details that go into snapping the perfect food photograph. But don’t ask me about it. Instead, ask Brandon Vick, the man responsible for the photos that grace the Platter Chatter column (and many others) every month.

By day, Brandon works as the Digital Asset Management Specialist at U of R. After 9-5 hours, he photographs weddings, portraits, and travels the country and world over looking for riveting people, places, and meals to photograph. Brandon travels frequently for assignments and has photographed everything from weddings in Hawaii and Istanbul to food and horses in Italy and Japan.

Brandon’s not much for personal pomp and circumstance, but I stopped him mid-click at our most recent Platter Chatter shoot to learn more about the man behind the camera.

When did you start getting into photography?

I don’t remember, LOL! I’m an ‘accidental photographer’ and never planned this for a career. I have more experience as a printer. I have a BS in Studio Art from Nazareth College with a concentration in Photography. I always knew I wanted to be an artist. Photography allows me to interact with the world in ways I never considered, and allows me to see the world more clearly.

What’s your favorite thing to photograph?

I don’t have a favorite thing to photograph. I have the same passion for people, food, architecture, still-life, and travel photography. I enjoy convincing people that you don’t have to be a model to look great in a photo.

What’s the best photo experience of your career?

Documenting the Canonization of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Under the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, she was beatified in 1980 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at Saint Peter’s Basilica on 21 October 2012. She is this country’s first Native American saint. It was an honor to photograph all of the pilgrims for a week and shoot at the Vatican for two days. It was the most challenging assignment I’ve ever had! When you’re not taking pictures of food, what’s your favorite thing to eat? I’m a little obsessed with the Pork belly crepes at Crepe N’Go Restaurant on Monroe Avenue.

 

 

Do you have any photography tips for noobs like me?

Don’t believe the myth that good equipment = good photos. An Instagram filter does not make a boring photo more interesting. The best way to be a better photographer is to consistently take more photos. Get honest feedback about your work and don’t get defensive when hearing something you don’t like. Take a photography class at the Flower City Arts Center: https://www.rochesterarts.org/ It’s a great local resource for photography education.