A tiny book about tiny foods.

The Bite-Sized Book of Bite-Sized Recipes fits in the palm of your hand at just under 2 inches tall with 20 fun, easy to make bite-sized recipes with cute and clever photos.

With just 44 hours remaining in the Bite-Sized Kickstarter Campaign, can you help bring this tiny cookbook to life?

We've Moved! (to a new url)

Hello!

If you're visiting this page and wondering why there's nothing new happening, it's because we've moved! Well actually, we've "copied." All our posts going backwards are still available here, as well as at their new home: http://photokitchen.net/blog/

Why'd we move? So you can enjoy a seamless browser experience at our new website hub. Come check out our:
Portfolio
view client case studies
learn more about us
back our currently running Kickstarter through 092514
and get in touch.

We look forward to seeing you there!

hEArT ohio | Hartzler Milk

HOOKED | HARTZLER MILK

"All milk tastes the same." you might say, if you haven't tried Ohio milk. Ohioans care about milk, as clearly evidenced by the amount of ice cream produced here every year. Columbus is best known for Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Cincinnati's known for Graeter's, Utica for Velvet Ice Cream, Granville for Whit's Frozen Custard, and so on. If it weren't for great milk, there would be no great ice cream.

And this is some great milk. 

What's to love about Hartzler Milk?

1. It comes in a cool glass bottle with two convenient handles.
2. Return the glass bottle, collect the $1.50 deposit, and Hartzler's will REUSE the bottle.
    Not recycle it, they actually reuse the very same bottle.
3. Glass bottles keep milk colder. Yum.
4. It's Non-Homogenized. (keep reading, there's more about this.)
5. It's available at many chain grocery stores, small local stores and farmers markets, meaning it's easy to find. 
6. No chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, GMO seeds, or hormones have been used on the farm
    or added to this milk since 1964, surpassing organic standards.
7. It JUST TASTES BETTER.

It tastes how milk should taste. Creamy, cold, and nutritious.

This has a lot to do with the milk not being homogenized. Homogenization was developed to mix the natural layer of cream that forms on the top INTO the milk, for overall consistency of product. Hartzler milk leaves the layer of cream on top, which can be shaken and distributed before pouring or eaten on its own. (This may just become your favorite part.) The cream gives the milk a clean, full-bodied flavor.

Just like how Coke tastes different in a can vs. from the soda fountain, plastic containers affect the flavor and temperature of milk. We drink out of glasses because glass has the least influence on flavor. An added health benefit of Hartzler's? It's easier to digest. Individuals who'd given up drinking glasses of milk long ago due to upset stomachs can possibly enjoy milk as though they're kids again. 

Get hooked on Hartzler milk. Can be found at:
Green Bean Delivery
Raisin Rack
Westerville Farmers Market
and many more

Want to see more delectable food photography in Columbus? Browse the blog or hop on over to Photo Kitchen.

Photography Internship Columbus Ohio

Photo Kitchen's looking for an intern! Know of someone who loves food and photography? Send 'em our way.

Availability Requirements
10 or more hours a week
Minimum one Saturday a month
3 month commitment
Must have your own form of transportation throughout the city of Columbus

Job Description
This is an unpaid internship. In exchange for your time and efforts, you will receive experience and knowledge in a variety of skills related to the business of commercial and portrait photography, introductions to job opportunities, and a bunch of free meals. If your school requires an internship, we can discuss how to get credit through this internship.

Desired Skills and Experience (must qualify for at least 4 of the following)
File management and basic editing through Adobe Bridge and Mac OS
Styling (clothing, product or food)
Directing people on a photo shoot
Cooking/Kitchen Prep
Prop Shopping
Graphic Design (designing promotional materials)
Blog Writing
Natural Light Photography
Studio Lighting and Equipment
Video (Shooting and/or Editing)
Marketing/Advertising
Brainstorming Photo Shoot and Marketing Ideas

Preferred
Currently enrolled or recently graduated from college with a major in art, photography, culinary, design or marketing.

Key Traits
Excellent Communication Skills
Reliable and Prompt
Multitasking Skills
Diverse Interests
Creative
Organized

To Apply: Please send a resume along with a short introduction describing your interest in the position and qualifications for the position to Catherine Murray at contact at photokitchen dot net.

What's Your Jam? | Columbus Ohio Food and Product Photographer

Your “jam” is the thing you can’t wait to get up in the morning to do. It’s the reason you do all those other things, so you’ll get to do that one thing - the thing you really love.

Kyla and Mark are the makers behind Sweet Thing Gourmet jam. We bet you can guess what their jam is. Yep, it’s jam. Our jam is taking photos good enough to eat, like this photo of jam. You can almost taste it, right? Well, that’s what we do.

Let's take how you FEEL about food and turn it into a 2D photo. Doesn't sound hard. Point and click. When you sit down to devour your next meal, think of all the senses you're using BESIDES your eyes. You smell the food, touch it, even hear it. You turn the plate, lift the lid, stir the sauce, sprinkle on some more cheese, squeeze the bun so the barbecue juices run down your fingers, crack the hardened sugar on your creme brulee. It's easy to take for granted all the little things that collectively become a food experience. 

There's a bit of magic in creating photos to mimic real life. That's our jam. Tell us, what's yours? 

I eat Sweet Thing Gourmet jam by the spoonful, no accompaniment necessary. Need something to go with your jam? Try this simple biscuit recipe, topped with jam and homemade whipped cream. 

Classic Baking Powder Biscuits

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold butter, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2/3 cup cold milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sift together dry ingredients. Work the cold butter into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles coarse meal.

Form a well in the center. Pour in milk and stir gently to just incorporate. Knead gently 3-4 times to bring dough together in a ball. Be careful not to overwork (stern voice!)

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Using the palms of your hands, flatten into a disk roughly 1/2 inch thick. Use a 2 inch cutter (or a drinking glass) to cut out biscuits. Gather up scraps and repeat process. Makes about 10 biscuits.

Place on baking sheet, evenly spaced. Bake until golden, about 13 minutes.

Serve with your favorite Sweet Thing Gourmet jam!
(Featured: Strawberry Champagne Jam)

Check out some Behind-the-Scenes from this photo shoot! 

*What's even cooler about this particular jam company is they'll print personalized labels for you. Jars of jam make great wedding favors, gifts for teachers, employees or your favorite clients.

Christmas Cookie Recipe Collection

Fill your house with the joy of homemade cookies, click below for recipes.

1. Egg Nog Snickerdoodles

2. Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze

3. Thumbprint Cookies

4. Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

5. Galaxy Cookies

6. Mexican Hot Chocolate

Cocktail Couture | Featured Collection of Local Spirits

Westerville Ohio, a suburb of the great city of Columbus, is home to The Anti-Salloon League and is historically known as the "Dry Capital of the World." Ironic, since Columbus is now known for its wide array of fledgling distilleries, wineries and microbreweries. Embracing the beauty of local ingredients, this city has expanded into a artisan powerhouse.

What all is Columbus producing these days? Stay warm this fall and winter with these fun recipe cards, click the highlighted listings to view more photos and read about the behind-the-scenes.

Middle West Spirits

OYO Vodka 

OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka

OYO Stone Fruit Vodka

OYO Whiskey

OYO Bourbon Whiskey, Michelone Reserve

OYO White Rye Whiskey

Tessora

Tessora Limoncello Classico

Tessora Crema al Limone

Watershed Distillery
Vodka
Four Peel Gin
Bourbon Barrel Gin
Bourbon

Camelot Cellars
Urban Boutique Winery
Featured Wine: Pinot Noir

Recipe cards designed by Jenna Brucoli of Jenna Sais Quois.
Photography by Photo Kitchen.

Local Wedding Accessories | Fashion Designer Columbus Ohio

Just like Dorothy, there's no need to look any further than your own back yard for beautiful handmade wedding accessories. Photographing these modern knits for our Columbus based client Hearten Hand Knits, we collaborated with local wedding dress designer Ghinda, local floral artist Natural Designs and the Dublin Arts Center wedding venue.

Laura Berry, owner of Hearten Hand Knits and LilBear, is a talented knitwear designer with a purpose. In 2005, she began knitting shawls she sweetly named “Hugs” for loved ones with cancer, leaving them on doorsteps. She extended her “Hugs” to embrace women struggling with poverty all over the world, by buying 100% fair trade yarn and partnering with U.S. knitters in impoverished areas, providing untethered income. One small glimpse into Laura’s home studio and it’s obvious how passionate and talented she is.

This new bridal knit collection, Hearten Hand Knits, will be available soon, this is your first sneak peek at the beautiful designs. Every item is handmade. The knits are custom made for each individual and offered in 100’s of different colors to create the perfect accents. The best part is they can be worn after the wedding day, easily paired with a little black dress or a cute pair of jeans. In fact, don’t bother getting married at all, treat yourself to these beautiful designs anyday--which is exactly what I plan to do the moment they’re available.

Make sure you take a peek at LilBear's other handmade wraps, shawls, scarflace (a cross between a scarf and a necklace-my personal favorite), scarflettes, and pins. 

                                                                             






























                                                                                      

Our gracious hosts, the Dublin Arts Center. I always call it The Castle.

A talented designer is the same as a talented chef. Making something simple into something special is evidence of brilliance. I always remember the judges on Top Chef raving over Carla Hall's peas. The simplest dish, yet at the same time, the most amazing wonder. Ghinda dresses hold that same power. They're like blank canvases. They can be worn any way, paired with any style, and let the bride shine. Yet it's obvious they aren't cookie cutter dresses. They have structure and fit, include small details and created with lush fabrics. Carla used to say the most important ingredient is love. I can't help but agree, and these dresses are proof.

The vine scarf below wasn't created with weddings in mind, yet how cute is it paired with a simple white dress and a bright bouquet of green and peach flowers? 

I wasn't immediately sold on this purple piece being worn by brides until I saw it in action. WOW. How much better is this bright and sparkly sweater when compared to the overused colored ribbon around the waist?

Our two lovely models did an amazing job on a really hot day, they took it all in stride AND looked incredible.  

The Dublin Arts Center is my favorite wedding location. It's intimate with lots of light streaming in, a spiral staircase, tons of lawn and shaded areas, a staircase out back, and hello, it's a castle. Well, not technically, but still. Not to mention all the beautiful art exhibits they host. Check it out on a normal weekday, there's always something amazing on display. 

 

These soft and fluffy sweaters immediately reminded me of cotton candy, I got the pairing stuck in my head and had to bring them together. Luckily we were able to find cotton candy at 9am on a Thursday morning at Giant Eagle Market District. Besides, I couldn't call myself Photo Kitchen without having SOME food make an appearance on set.

All of the beautiful flowers you see were designed by another one of my favorite clients, Regina of Natural Designs.  Everything she creates is clean and fresh. She sources flowers from all over--local farms, New York vendors, and often straight from her own back yard. Easy to work with, creative, and thoughtful, I'm always excited to see what she'll do next. 

This was one of my favorite pairings. The makeup, simple dress, bubble necklace...all came together to perfectly highlight this rosette bag and collared sweater.

These handmade handkerchiefs can be ordered with custom embroidery. Husband and wife initials, wedding date, a personalized note from grandma...What a beautiful gift for the wedding day. Throw in a little blue thread and you've got yourself something blue.

I loved this shot, it reminds me of a promo image for Mad Men a few seasons back. 

All the beautiful glass pieces you see are part of the gallery exhibit by Glass Axis in the Dublin Arts Council gallery. The exhibit is called "Glass, Color and Light: A Glass Axis Member Exhibition. This is a temporary show, of course. To see more, take a trip to the Glass Axis studios. I go every fall for their glass pumpkin patch. Glass pumpkins in every size, color and shape imaginable. 

Like I said, every piece is versatile, to be worn long past the wedding day. Which piece is your favorite?

Thank you to:
My wonderful client with a huge heart Laura Berry of Hearten Hand Knits and LilBear 
Regina Carmody Prange, floral designer and beloved client from Natural Designs
Jennifer Kessler of Ghinda, wedding dress designer extraordinaire
Emily and the entire team at the Dublin Arts Center, my favorite castle
Our models Sarah and Emma, who, even 9 hours in, wanted to keep shooting AND helped us pack up.

Want to hire us for commercial jobs like this? Photo Kitchen's standing by!
Want to hire us to photograph your wedding? Portrait Shoppe is our new hub for all things portrait, we're happy to greet you over there!