You Got Served: Honestly YUM
When it comes to impeccable plating style, look no further than the creative team behind Honestly YUM. This delicious brainchild child of the incredibly fashionable (and swoon worthy DIY) website Honestly WTF, is quite the food destination boasting an impressive catalog of cocktails and recipes that share a similar flare for style - which evoke an easy, effortless chic that we all desire to achieve at the table. We put Editors Karen Chan & Todd Wagner to the mystery prop box challenge on a recent visit to Northern California and let's just say they threw together a sophisticated (dare we say delightfully whimsical?) cheese board and cocktail without breaking a sweat. Not that we're really surprised....they're pros like that.
You Got Served...by Honestly YUM.
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 personal collection
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Do you have a routine or game plan when it comes to styling with props for your photos?
It all starts with the food/drink. If I'm shooting a recipe with particularly eye-catching ingredients, like fresh berries, vibrant herbs, edible flowers, etc, I'll really try to keep it simple and highlight the beauty of the ingredients themselves. However, if the recipe isn't necessarily very compelling on its own, say a dirty martini, I'll dig a bit deeper into my collection for something interesting like a piece of vintage glassware, etc. ~ Todd
What's your Serving Style? Brand new/on trend, unique vintage originals, particular colors?
In general I'd say I lean much more toward the rustic side of the spectrum. Soft, natural light is a must, and I like to keep things simple and elegant. Vintage is great - some of my favorite pieces are vintage glassware found at estate sales or thrift shops. That all being said, I don't think there's a photographer/blogger/stylist out there that doesn't insist on mixing it up once in a while, if only to keep it interesting. At times I'll definitely push myself to style outside of my comfort zone. It's the only way to get better! ~Todd
Do you have a favorite piece in your collection? What's the story behind it?
I love these wood plates from Crate and Barrel. It's the right wood tint color and gives almost any dish that perfect rustic feel. ~Karen
If you could get a hold of any item for your kitchen or tabletop, what do you currently have your eye on?
A brass pour over coffee stand like this. I probably have every coffee making devise known to man-kind and this would be another item I don't need, but it's just so beautiful. At least I'd use it every morning! ~Karen
If you could express your personal style in 3 emojis, what would they be?
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If this spread doesn't make you want to kick off your brand new pony hair booties for a delightful autumn picnic in wine country, I'm not sure what else possibly could. Vibrant colors, playful texture and an admirable use of some of the more interesting prop items - did you spy the quartz crystal just chilling there along side those almonds?
Yeah...no big deal.
In fact, there aren't many people who can causally insert a sea shell tooth pick into the mix and make you go "well that makes complete sense...I should go buy some of those for myself".
Bravo Karen & Todd - we love your strategic and detailed approach, joyful tag-team dance behind the camera and gorgeous results!
Get more visual inspiration from the Honestly YUM team over on their website and on instagram.
Just a warning...They make us incredibly hungry (and thirsty)....all. the. time.
Want more You Got Served!? Check out how Tracy of Shutterbean and Studio Jake also styled from mystery prop box #004.
You can also check out the full on-going series over here featuring the likes of Joy The Baker , A Cozy Kitchen & Eat The Love.