Melissa Zink Photography

Getting ready for an upcoming #restaurantphotoshoot? Here are a couple things you can do to make it the most successful possible. Sure, things happen. But setting yourself up can help get the most out of the hard-earned money you've spent to highlight your amazing brand. 1: Know exactly what you want photographed! By now you should have had a creative call with your photographer and have sent over a shot list for the day. It's so important to have a direction and plan for the shots you want, it makes for a smooth transition between sets and allows the photographer (or kitchen staff) to focus on each shot without worrying about what to photograph next. 2: Clean everything! You have no idea what the camera picks up (or maybe you do, and you know exactly what I mean). It sees everything, even the mess you hide peaking out from that one drawer, or the cobwebs in the dark corner of the ceiling that you pretend aren't there, and definitely the floor debris. Especially important for interior shots, but also chef portraits or the food / staff in its environment. I can't tell you how many times a messy kitchen shelf ruins a portrait, or dirty windows cast a grimy feel over what would be a beautiful image, even a cluttered prep area or host desk drags down the whole look of an image. 3: Alert your staff! I've been on both sides of this, as a photographer and also as part of the restaurant staff who haven't been informed of a photography session, it sucks all around. There's a lot that comes with preparing for both a shoot and service, letting your staff know (and please, more notice than the morning of) will allow them to plan accordingly. And allow the photographer to feel more comfortable, no one wants a butter chef / server / bartender / manager staring them down through the whole session. Plus, happy staff make for great models! Bonus: have a good attitude, it's supposed to be fun 😊 Want more tips? Sign up for my newsletter. And let's chat about your next photo shoot, DM me to learn more. #restaurantphotography Melissa Zink Photography San Francisco Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Cookbook Photographer

Sometimes I just like to post work I'm happy with, even if LinkedIn isn't "the platform for this type of post". Let's celebrate the small things to attract more of the big✨ #foodphotographer #foodphotography San Francisco Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Cookbook Photographer

Happy Friday! Enjoy this unofficial end to summer with the long weekend in the US and some refreshing cucumber watermelon granita. Now booking for fall and holiday sessions, DM me to discuss! Melissa Zink Photography San Francisco Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Cookbook Photographer

Always creating, even when it doesn't seem like any potential clients are looking Chuala Tonic Water #beverageindustry #beveragephotographer #beveragephtography #drinks Melissa Zink Photography San Francisco Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Cookbook Photographer

Savoring all the last moments of summer while embracing the buzz and energy of fall! It's one of my favorite times of year, the days are still quite hot (especially in Northern CA) but the night air brings a crisp breeze and drop in temperature; the light shifts slowly to longer dusk hours and magical sunsets, peaches and tomatoes are still rampant but apples, pomegranate, and all things spice start appearing again. When harvest is in full swing but watermelon still reigns as the best refreshment for the afternoon sun. Especially when frozen into ice with lime juice and topped with MADRE MEZCAL tequila! #beveragephotography #beveragephotographer #foodphotography #beverageindustry #alcoholindustry #beverageindustry #drinks #latesummer San Francisco Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Coookbook Photographer Melissa Zink Photography

One of my biggest goals since becoming a photographer professionally is to get into the cookbook sector. I've had a love for them as long as I can remember; from flipping through pages in the old BETTY CROCKER binder style cookbooks my mom owned, to perusing the aisles of Borders for the best cookbook photography when I should have been in class, to spending hours in my element at OMNIVORE BOOKS ON FOOD when I first moved to San Francisco. While I love the commercial work I do, there's something so comforting and nostalgic about cookbooks. They feel like home. So I've decided I'm going full force into personal projects focusing on cookbook style photography. So far it's seemed an almost impossible niche to break into, but I'm doubling down my effort to make this dream happen. Are you a #cookbookauthor who has a project in the works? Or are you in the #cookbookpublishing world and have any resources on how to get noticed (or any projects in the works 😉)? Maybe you're a #cookbookphotographer and have advice on how to get my foot in the door. I'm all ears! 🥂 to following dreams and pursuing what you love! #cookbookphotographer #foodpgotographer #foodphotography #bookdeals Melissa Zink Photography San Francisco Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Cookbook Photographer

All the #pumpkinspice everything is starting it's takeover, which begs the question: are you ready for the upcoming season? Have you planned your holiday campaigns and strategy? You deserve an amazing gallery without the stress, and NOW is the time to start booking your photographer. I can help! Email me to chat about how mz@melzink.com Let's make this year's shoot fun and successful without the last minute stress. #foodphotography #holidayphotography #foodandbeverageindustry #foodandbeverage #foodphotographer #sanfrancisco San Francisco Foo, Beverage, Hospitality Photographer Melissa Zink Photography

Late summer vibes to take us into the next season. #food #foodphotographer #foodphotography Melissa Zink Photography San Francisco Food, Beverage, Hospitality Photographer

Putting my face out there. Literally. This is the person behind the business. Not dressed up, no make up, hair wind blown and crazy, no camera except my phone, the me stripped of all the extras. I talk a lot about showing the humanity behind a business, so I'm practicing what I preach. I am blood and bones and skin and emotions and experiences and history and insight. I am a photographer, but I'm so much more outside of work. Human connection matters. Melissa Zink Photography San Francisco Food, Beverage, Hospitality Photographer