Always look forward to a chocolate shoot! When it’s John and Kira’s I know it’s not going to disappoint. They are a great client to collaborate on ideas and their vision for the brand. Lisa and myself really have creative freedom to elevate their chocolates every time. Always a great shoot! The difference this time was the limiting of people on location because of COVD-19. Following the previous precautions I’ve taken on other projects since the shut down and insight from ASMP, the leading industry photography organization I knew my clients were in good hands as well as my crew.
COVID-19
B.T.S. Stills + Motion Shoot for Magma Products (Covid-19 Set)
This shoot was a great way to kick of the summer! Magma Products, the leading industry maker of grills for Marina and Camping enthusiasts. The brand was going for a new and updated look so we were able to create high end imagery bringing together the lifestyle these grills appeal to. It was such a cool and challenging shoot because not only did we bring the tropics to Manhattan we brought a boat to the studio! We had a custom built boat ledge made fitted for these grills as they would attach to a boat in real life. This ledge came out so nice we had it sent to the client in California after the photo shoot. This was one of our first shoots back inside since COVID hit; Everyone that was able to attend the shoot was comfortable in the environment. We had plenty of space to socially distance, masks required, and PPE on hand. Can’t wait to see the final pieces out in the wild!
Food Styling: Lisa Homa
Space: Go Studios
Prop Styling: Deb Donahue
Boat: Set Shop
Felicia Perretti is a commercial food and beverage photographer and director based in New York City. She works nationally with food and beverage clients in advertising, packaging, editorial, and video. She has worked with food and drink in all shapes and knows how to craft the right team to get the job done! Her passion for food and beverage shine through on set as well as outside of work in her everyday life. Whether it’s trying new restaurants, traveling, or cooking with her husband Joe. Send her an email or give a call to discuss your next project, she would be more than happy to chat!
B.T.S. Photo Shoot: King's Hawaiian
When I think of bread that reminds me of summer, hands down it is King’s Hawaiian! It was an awesome project to work on that Chuck Studios executive producer Elyse Sara brought me on to. We had 2 days on set with a limited crew because of COVID-19 to capture beautiful kitchen scenes and super tasty recipes using the various King’s Hawaiian products. The kitchen sets were modern, contemporary with warm colors and greens peeking in. Helen Jones styled the recipes perfectly to really elevate the bread and flavor cues! Propping and set dressing was done by the amazing Christina O’Neil. We had all the COVID-19 regulations in place and we all felt safe on set. Also since the client could not be there we were able to setup a private Slack channel and use ZOOM to conference in the team. It was a seamless experience and would do it again. At the end of the day we got some awesome photos. Can’t wait to see them in the wild!
Felicia Perretti is a commercial food and beverage photographer and director based in New York City. She works nationally with food and beverage clients in advertising, packaging, editorial, and video. She has worked with food and drink in all shapes and knows how to craft the right team to get the job done! Her passion for food and beverage shine through on set as well as outside of work in her everyday life. Whether it’s trying new restaurants, traveling, or cooking with her husband Joe. Send her an email or give a call to discuss your next project, she would be more than happy to chat!
COVID-19 Policies and Procedures On Set
As a photographer and business owner returning to work, I have a responsibility to keep my employees, clients, and family safe while on the job and when I return home.
The number one way for us to return to work safely is to respect the social distancing policy introduced by the CDC, as well as OSHA. These best practices are currently being adopted by Hollywood and Commercial productions as well as smaller productions across the country.
As a major metropolitan area, New York City was highly impacted and these health and safety guidelines have to be undertaken now as part of all production processes.
Obviously shoots and the creation process have a social and collaborative component. As we try to work through these new guidelines please understand that these restrictions are new for all of us and we will do our best to deliver the highest caliber of work while keeping everyone safe.
https://www.asmp.org/covid-19
Felicia Perretti is a commercial food and beverage photographer and director based in New York City. She works nationally with food and beverage clients in advertising, packaging, editorial, and video. She has worked with food and drink in all shapes and knows how to craft the right team to get the job done! Her passion for food and beverage shine through on set as well as outside of work in her everyday life. Whether it’s trying new restaurants, traveling, or cooking with her husband Joe. Send her an email or give a call to discuss your next project, she would be more than happy to chat!
Food Face Mask Fundraiser! Help support the cause!
COVID-19 has shaken our economy globally and locally. You might of seen this first hand in your own neighborhood, or someone directly in your family. When restrictions start to lift we will still have an up hill battle ahead of us, one area that was hit hard and is close to me is the restaurant industry.
Article Reference Forbes.com
”Many independent restaurant owners have used personal savings or taken on new debt to support their employees. Restaurant workers accounted for the largest share of unemployment claims in March but less than 8.9% of approved PPP loans went to restaurants and hotels combined.
The IRC says restaurants contribute $1 trillion to the U.S. economy each year, and only 30% of them will survive the crisis if it lingers four months or longer.
Those who do emerge may face even more difficult tribulations after reopening their doors. The first thing survivors will need to do when they reopen is pay old invoices. Then they’ll have to hire and train a skeleton staff to help unveil a newly configured, socially distanced dining room that’s expected to be legally required to cut previous capacity by 50%.
Many restaurateurs will decide it’s just not worth taking on more debt and will permanently close shop. Some will have to reimagine their concept to accommodate a new dining room layout, no large groups and reduced tourism, plus either less service or higher menu prices. The rest will go back to business fully expecting to ring an average of 50% less revenue over the first 12-18 months than when the virus forced them to suddenly close.”
Please consider supporting this cause by purchasing a custom face mask. CLICK HERE
Profits of EVERY SALE goes to https://www.jamesbeard.org/openforgood Open For Good, campaign to support the recovery and rebuilding of the independent restaurant industry.
Felicia Perretti is a commercial food and beverage photographer and director based in New York City. She works nationally with food and beverage clients in advertising, packaging, editorial, and video. She has worked with food and drink in all shapes and knows how to craft the right team to get the job done! Her passion for food and beverage shine through on set as well as outside of work in her everyday life. Whether it’s trying new restaurants, traveling, or cooking with her husband Joe. Send her an email or give a call to discuss your next project, she would be more than happy to chat!
Working Remotely
How are you doing?
Looking back at my February email to this months, wow, what a stark difference. End of February my husband and I left for a much needed vacation to the beautiful country of Australia. The brushfires were clearing up and the trip as a whole was fantastic. The food, views, and people were great; really a trip of a lifetime!
In those short 3 weeks away, we were leaving Australia on one of the last normally scheduled flights by Quantas to America. We landed in San Francisco to see the news coverage of the travel ban to Europe. The immediate following days everyone’s world turned upside down. Business came to a halt and an illness was creeping among us.
As I write this we are starting to adjust to the new normal. We are creating a virtual routine with friends, family, and co-workers. The same goes for me while running my business. I’ve reached out to several of my clients to see how they are doing and what I can do to help. When the time is right to get to the new normal of working I’m there for support. Like others adjusting and working from home, I have a home photo studio setup and working well. In addition to email, text, and phone, I have ZOOM the virtual platform where you can share screens live and I can mirror my tethered screen so you can see the images come through. If you have food or product that needs to be captured please know I’am here for you. COVID-19 might of removed me from my normal studio, but it certainly didn’t take my creativity.
Felicia Perretti is a commercial food and beverage photographer and director based in New York City. She works nationally with food and beverage clients in advertising, packaging, editorial, and video. She has worked with food and drink in all shapes and knows how to craft the right team to get the job done! Her passion for food and beverage shine through on set as well as outside of work in her everyday life. Whether it’s trying new restaurants, traveling, or cooking with her husband Joe. Send her an email or give a call to discuss your next project, she would be more than happy to chat!
Zoom Communications: Food Backgrounds For Your Meeting!
What a crazy moment we are living through of moving virtually only and social distancing. The process doesn’t have to be ugly, but an opportunity to be creative! I’ve used Zoom myself and was excited to learn I could change my background. This little tip puts a smile on my face and brings some personality to the online meeting that can only be felt in person. I express myself creatively through photography and I feel others should be able to do the same.
I’ve pulled just a few of my favorite foodie images together that you might enjoy for your next Zoom meeting. Just let me know and I can send it over! Bell Well!! -Felicia