Food Photography x What it is like to be an Instagram Star

People sure are eating with their eyes these days! It is like you’ve got your whole meal planned out thanks to Instagram or Yelp prior to even calling for your Uber.  Not saying I am not guilty of this first hand, because I do my fair share of Yelp scouting prior to dining in.

I do have to say that I give back to the Foodie Community by Yelp Reviews and Foodstagrammin’ ! & if the spot is truly giving me a coregasm i’ll post a Google and Facebook review too.

My fair share of taking pics of food began with Yelp – where i’ve earned the honor badge of being Elite for a number of years now. Check out my dank delights by clicking here  – gotta give good graces to my @Miami_FoodPorn pal & contributor for kicking me early on about joining in on the Yelp community.  This was WAYYYY before it became @Tr3ndey

Yelp is just the gateway to what detonated the internet  into a world of food images on Instagram. The foodstagrams can take a number of forms and specialties – relating to veganism, raw diets, burgers only, city specific, or just a simple this food is fucking great and u NEED it NOW.

People feel compelled to share their good eeeeats and let everyone know they are doing it ! But some really just do it better than others – and what makes one Insta star versus another?? The PHOTO – duh!

Here are a few things to consider while taking a stellar shot –

Lighting : To use flash ? or to not? Is your natural lighting on fleek? or does a friend need to use their flash light app?

Angle of shot : this is VERY important – make sure you get the money shot

Placement : do you get up close and personal? do you take an overhead shot? do you get the drinks in? are the drinks the focus?

Fingers : are they manicured! why are you even showing the fingers? hands? DO NOT include your face, or your friends.

Props : are you putting your favorite sunnys in cuz it plays into the vibe of the image? are your kicks in the shot because its a photo of coffee? what are you really trying to showcase here – the lifestyle or the food?

Exhibit 1 - above view, drinks in view, props on set

Exhibit 1 – above view, drinks in view, props on set

Exhibit 2 - larger zoomed out above view ( famed of @ChicksonChairs) , Yes props and yes drinks,

Exhibit 2 – larger zoomed out above view ( famed of @ChicksonChairs) , Yes Props and Yes Drinks

Exhibit 3 - a bit closer view point, more exclusive look into the food itself, minor props

Exhibit 3 – a bit closer view point, more exclusive look into the food itself, minor props, poor plating set up

Exhibit 4 - zoomed in, solo food shot of specific item

Exhibit 4 – zoomed in, solo food shot of specific item

Exhibit 5 - you get the whole view of the star of the photo

Exhibit 5 – you get the whole view of the star of the photo

THE MONEY SHOT !!!

THE MONEY SHOT !!!

Now you have an inside look on what it’s like to Live Like Lindsey and be a FoodStaGrammer. This collab went down in Wynnwood @ZakTheBaker one of my must haves and go-to ‘s while in Miami!  If you are down there you gotta check it out !

Keep on Eatin’,

Lshawtay

Mondaze in Ann Arbor, Michigan

A big part of Mondaze is Motivation, Mindfulness, & maintaining a Meatless diet

#TGIM Thank G-d It’s Monday – well yesterday was the first time i ever came across the abrev #TGIM – very bizarre but i went with the notion and continued to follow through with my version of Mondaze.

Mindful Monday was a sweet sweet success yesterday. Waking up on Monday Mornings I turn quickly to “snooze” which I think could be re branded as a time dedicated to meditation. I do not use my “snooze” to just roll my eyes back into my head & dream land but a moment of clarity.
Meditation Music makes the end of your day a sweet send off

Music of the day : Thomas Jack Vol 4 Tropical House

Getting super pumped up to go see him preform live in Chicago in February at The Mid. If you want to join me purchase your tickets here

Signing up for not one but TWO classes at The Barre Code in Ann Arbor : they have two fabulously convenient locations on is right downtown Ann Arbor on E Liberty between Maynard St & Thompson Street and the second is off Plymouth Road. The owner of The Barre Code Adri is a honey and i love supporting local startups & women ! #Girlpower – you don’t see too many men around The Barre Code but don’t let that stop ya felllas !

    Meatless Diet

Within the first thirty minutes of being awake and up & moving I like to have a piece of fruit to rev up my metabolism. Typically a Granny Smith Green Apple or Bartlett Pear.

Driving to Ann Arbor and getting off at Main Street I can’t help myself but stop into Mighty Good Coffee

Moving forward to lunch I walked over to my new go-to loving lunch spot Salads Up for a Mix It Up Salad filled with edamame, chic peas, cucumbers , red peppers, avocado , olives and broccoli with a spicy shiracha dressing! Dank.

Lady J ( maybe you remember her from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Videos ) whipped me up some mouth watering orgasmic roasted Brussels sprouts for dinner along with our favorite breakfast for dinner omelet while i took on my Mondaze Motion hard.

Mondaze are the perfect day to take your tasks head on >>>> this weeks mondaze motion was to figure out that darn crock pot that is taking up so much space in our kitchen ! One of my new favorite social networking sites Yummly.Com allows amateur and professional chefs alike share recipes in a YUMMY way ! Check out my Yummly Collection of #1307Daily Recipes . FRENCH ONION SOUP you are my b*tch and i’m making you mine ! tipping this off was to caramelize onions! wpid-snapchat-3594131855462917539.jpg

Follow along to hear more about how my #1307Daily activity of the week goes down !

#TCOY – take care of yourself

Keep Mindful and keep it Up !

Vibe On,
Lshawtay

SUSHi CAKE…

SUSHi CAKE...

Something else to think about … a cake made of entirely SUSHI ingredients !!

Serving 6 to 8 persons:

► For the rice:

Preparation: 10 minutes – Cooking time: 20 minutes – Rest: 1h30

360g (12.6 oz.) sushi rice or short-grain rice
12 tablespoons rice vinegar
6 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoon salt

Soak rice in cold water for 1 hour. During this time, heat up rice vinegar, sugar and salt until sugar is dissolved. Leave to cool. Leave the rice to rest in the sieve for 30 minutes so it can swell.

Pour the rice into a pan with 360ml (12 oz.) of water. Bring the water to a boil and let cook for 5 minutes whein it starts to boil.

Do not remove the cover, reduce heat and let cook for 5 minutes more over low heat. Let it rest for 10 minutes off the heat with the cover on. Add vinegar and mix gently.

Let cool at room temperature.

► For the topping:

Preparation: 15 minutes – Cooking time: 0 minute

1 nori sheet
500g (17.6 oz.) fresh salmon, skin-less and bone-less
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 large cucumber
1 avocado
4 tablespoons sesame seeds

Wash the salmon under running water and carefully dab dry with kitchen roll. Cut it in small dices and mix with sesame seeds and avocado oil. Keep in the fridge until we use it.

Peel the cucumber and using a mandolin or a knife, slice it not too thinly. Peel the avocado and cut into slices. In the nori sheet, cut a piece the same size as your springform pan and place it at the bottom. Wet your hands, so the rice will not stick on them, and spread half of the rice, push down firmly. Cover with slices of cucumber and avocado. End up with salmon. Repeat once again the entire process, keep in fridge until ready to serve.

Garnish with radish sprouts soya bean sprout.

Totally jack’d this from nowimacook.com !