You Got Served: Heidi Larsen, Foodiecrush

You Got Served: Foodiecrush | Dine X Design

We love to celebrate other creative talents over here on DXD and Heidi Larsen is no different. In fact, She originally launched Foodiecrush.com & Foodiecrush Magazine as a place to praise other people in the food blog world. Talking about people other than oneself is not always the main objective when visiting websites these days...but Heidi is a cheerleader. Her positivity, support and love for other people's blog-game is down right admirable, making all of us want to enthusiastically applaud alongside her.

But even more impressive is that Heidi, herself, is a jaw-dropping member of the food community who's got some serious design creds and photo skills under her belt. Foodiecrush is not only a love letter to others in the community - it is an impressive eye candy hot spot for everything from recipes, to interviews, city guides, and even a weekly Friday Fave list to keep you inspired with new things she's reeled in for your attention.

In a word: Warning! If you click on either of those links you're about to get sucked into a never ending portal of beautiful food, people and ideas. It's a stunning, quality site and a fabulously unique place to search, discover and be inspired.

We recently spent a delightfully chatty afternoon in Heidi's Salt Lake home (hello modernism tree surrounded swoon-age!) and witnessed how effortlessly she conjures up the perfect scene. Not only is she a pro at putting together and taking a pretty picture, she is the best of company and one hard working woman - a positive and supportive member of this fine online community who's reminding us all to embrace and encourage everyone in what they do.

I guess it's safe to say we've got a major foodiecrush on you girl!

You got served....by Foodiecrush.

Dine X Design | You Got Served 006 | Foodiecrush | Box 006

You Got Served: The Rules

~Subject must choose and work with at least two items and one textile from the mystery box

~Location and surface area up to the discretion of the subject

~One additional textile, prop, and food/botanicals can be selected from the subject’s private collection

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Heidi Larsen Foodiecrush | Dine X Deisgn | You Got Served

Do you have a routine or game plan when it comes to styling with props for your photos?

I don’t know that you’d call it a game plan, but I do have a routine I’ve sort of fallen into. To me, photos tell as much or more of a story as the words I put into my blog posts, so I try to have my photos evolve with the recipe they’re depicting. I like photos that show the overall process of the recipe coming together, but not the literal step-by-step. I don’t have the patience!

The hardest thing for me is to make the shots look unfussy, not over styled. Just like what Coco Chanel said about fashion, “Once you've dressed, and before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.” I’m always starting off with more, then stripping things away. I love showing fresh herbs or cut fruit and veggies alongside my hero shot, with a few small bowls of sauce or salt and pepper to balance the shot. You can also usually find a soft, simple dish towel that lends continuity through each of the images. It’s usually the one thing that carries through each shot.

You Got Served: Foodiecrush | Dine X Deisign

What's your Serving Style? Brand new/on trend, unique vintage originals, particular colors?

I like to keep my styling simple, somewhat minimal, so the food is the hero of the photo, with the props just accenting the dish. I’m really into white dishes, simple but with a little something off about them in a more hand crafted way. But don’t be surprised when a really colorful bowl of spices pops up to shake things up. When I have dinner parties it makes it super easy as everything already goes together since it's all the same, plus a few fun accents.

Do you have a favorite piece in your collection? What's the story behind it?

I have so many small white plates and bowls. Like, much smaller than what you’d serve a meal on, because the smaller sizes look best in photographs. However my favorite plates are a set of 10-inch dinner plates from ceramicist Russel Wright. My aunt won them at an auction and later gifted them to me. They make a perfectly neutral back drop for platters of meats and chicken. I also discovered some gold servers at a local thrift shop that I just love, but I’m not sure what two of the servers were originally intended to be used for. I don’t use them too often but when I do, I think they add a fun and surprising touch.

Above image: Heidi Larsen | Foodiecrush

If you could get a hold of any item for your kitchen or tabletop, what do you currently have your eye on?

I recently upgraded my cake stand to this one. I don’t bake cake much but I’ve been coveting this footed stand for about a year and finally just gave in and bought it. I think my next purchase will be some small, gold flatware pieces to use in my food photos.

If you could express your personal style in 3 emojis, what would they be?

foodiecrush emoji style

Simple but fun.

The blowing kiss emoji, clapping hands emoji and glass of wine emoji.

Above image: Heidi Larsen | Foodiecrush

Want to get your hands on this Creamy Yogurt Cucumber Salad (and a little behind the scenes POV from Heidi's experience with the challenge)!? We know you do!

Head on over to Foodiecrush for the recipe and put some summer magic on your dinner table tonight!

We also suggest you head over and follow this fine gal onInstagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest while you're at it.

Elegant, modern and fresh.

Three words that come to mind not only with Heidi's styling and photography, but with her sweet sweet self. We absolutely love how clean and in the moment this cucumber salad is presented - she truly has a gift to capture food as the hero (as well as our hearts!) and we're eating up every gorgeous bite!

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Want more YOU GOT SERVED!?

Check out the archives of this on-going DXD Original Series including friends likeSpoon Fork Bacon, Joy The Baker, Kitchy Kitchen & Honestly YUM.

And stay tuned in the coming weeks to take a peep at the other two creative talents who tackled mystery prop box 006 in a totally different and awesome way.