As the year 2021 draws to a close, it’s irresistible to look back at the past 12 months and evaluate. We did just that — and whoa! — it’s been quite a year for Food Photo Studio. So if you’ll indulge us, we’d love to share with you the most memorable moments from our year.
Some moments occurred in our studio, and some are from shoots at other locations. A few aren’t client or project work at all, and one involved meeting a celebrity we greatly admire.
A vein running through all these moments is, of course, the context of the pandemic. “There was a moment when we didn’t know if we were going to have any clients any more, if we were going to shoot anymore,” said Curtis Newborn, owner of Food Photo Studio. “Our gratitude for these unusual experiences through the pandemic makes them even more special.”
Read on for the top moments that defined 2021 for our business and the people in it — in reverse order, countdown-style. Enjoy!
The Top 5 Memorable Moments for Food Photo Studio in 2021
5. Made in Elk Grove Manufacturing and Technology Expo (Where Renee Met Jackie Joyner-Kersee!)
The event: The expo is hosted by the Village of Elk Grove (the home of Food Photo Studio since mid-2020) in Illinois. We attend this trade show to connect with other businesses in our hyper-local community and build relationships. Olympic track-and-field legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee gave the keynote address. Renee Zomaya represented Food Photo Studio at the event.
Why it was special: Against the background of COVID, it was nice to get out of the studio and attend an in-person event and talk to people, even wearing masks. Everyone is trying to work their businesses despite all the challenges.
Moment we'll never forget: Renee meeting Jackie Joyner-Kersee! “I was all fan-girly, I’m a big Olympics person,” Renee said.
What we learned: The expo invitation pushed us to design a booth for Food Photo Studio, and printed pieces to go with it. (“Me putting up that whole thing in heels was fun for everyone to watch!” Renee said.) We also learned that no matter what you’re selling, everyone is in the same boat, trying to figure it out during the pandemic. Elk Grove has a lot of amazing businesses, and we share a real camaraderie.
4. Portillo’s Summer Swag Launch
The project: Portillo’s is a casual restaurant based in Chicago known for its tasty hot dogs and sandwiches. This summer, they wanted to launch a summer line of merchandise, including a pool float (pictured below) and swimwear, all sporting the Portillo’s signature giardiniera (hot pickled pepper) condiment. The talent were Portillo’s employees, not professional models.
Why it was special: We work primarily with inanimate objects as subjects, so it was a fun change to have the human element in front of the camera. Working with Portillo’s employees as models was refreshing, too. “The people they picked had the perfect personalities for what had to be pulled off,” Curtis said.
Moment we'll never forget: Turning on the “Beyonce fan,” with upbeat music playing in the background. Everyone was having lots of fun that day. What a cherished moment to set real life aside and pretend we’re at a pool party for a few hours.
3. On-Location Video Shoot for Beam Suntory (Jim Beam)
The project: Beam Suntory (the makers of Jim Beam bourbon and whiskey) wanted to create a series of videos offering drink-mixing tips from professional bartenders. Food Photo Studio shot the videos, as well as still photos, for their website The Cocktail Project.
Why it was special: The logistics were demanding and exhilarating. We scouted locations for the shoot, hired a film crew, borrowed and purchased equipment, and reserved and packed a truck. Overall, it pushed us in a different direction from our typical work. (See below for behind-the scenes shots, as well as final still images.)
Moment we'll never forget: Meeting at our studio at 6 a.m. just to pack up all the ice we’d need for that day, because the on-location freezers weren’t big enough. We needed to have square ice cubes, round ice cubes, and 1-inch cocktail ice cubes in large enough quantities that we could find the perfect one for each shot.
What we learned: The cocktail equation! It’s a ratio for making perfect sour-style cocktails (ones that contain citrus, such as margaritas, whiskey sours, or daiquiris). The equation is 2-1-1, which means two parts alcohol, to one part sweet, to one part sour.
2. Curtis’ Graduation from Next Level Northwest
The event: Next Level Northwest is a business accelerator in the Chicago area. After a rigorous application process, which included an interview and pitch before a board, Curtis was accepted into the program. Next Level Northwest offered him professional coaching and ongoing mentorship to promote the growth of Food Photo Studio. In November 2021, Curtis and his wife, Amy, attended the graduation gala and business showcase.
Why it was special: Next Level Northwest provided a consistent process for the studio to continuously work toward our marketing goals. Business coach Jeff Williams helped us identify priorities and connected us to a freelance marketing consultant. “Those are important things for our clients, that they’re working with a studio that isn’t resting on its laurels,” Curtis said.
What we learned: As a business owner, it’s easy to bury your head in the creative work. However, you need to pay attention to marketing and building your business as well. “It was a yearlong experience in how to grow and wear my business hat,” Curtis said.
1. Cedar Electronics MAXCam 360c Launch (Interview Videos, Product Videos, Still Photos)
The project: This year, Cedar Electronics launched their newest radar detector: MAXCam 360c. (Surprise! We don’t only shoot food!) We created interview videos (including designing the set and styling the wardrobe head-to-toe), on-the-road videos of the product in action, and still photos for their website.
Why it was special: We stretched ourselves technology-wise with this project, which made it emblematic of the growth of the studio this year. In 2021, we added more value for our clients by moving into motion and video projects of increasing complexity. This was not a typical shoot for us (both in subject matter and execution), and that fact made it the most memorable moment of the year.
Moment we'll never forget: The wrap party. We hadn’t had one in a very long time. We found out everyone’s favorite drinks, and had them all there. A lot of Cedar Electronics employees don’t live in the U.S., and many came for the sole purpose of launching the new product. It was memorable to get to know all these smart people.
A close second: Shooting the on-the-road video from inside a vehicle. Renee stood on a street corner with a radar gun trying to make the unit go off — getting strange looks from everyone walking by — while Curtis was in the back of the car shooting with a steady cam, trying not to get thrown from one side to the other.
What we learned: “Renee and I together are a really good team,” Curtis said. “We do what we do because we love the creativity of it. When you have a challenge that’s new, a problem that needs to be solved, we are very good at creating content when we’re kinda pushed into a corner! That really gets us excited when we get to get our teeth into something new.”
