Thoughts of food-styling
One thing to take into consideration when working with food for my project is food styling. As I will be working in a studio-based environment for several hours, I should be aware that food products may change, spoil or look unappealing in this time.
I have researched food styling and the ‘tricks of the trade’ for this subject. Despite many food stylists wanting to keep their career secrets just that, I have found feature articles discuss these preventative measures and the hacks food stylists use.
Inspiration
(Source: The Guardian)
From motor-oil for syrup to gelatin and soy sauce for coffee, the food stylists know it all.
Chicken or Turkey will probably be raw inside, but crisp on the outside.
Photographer: Marshall Troy
Prop Styling: Grace Knott
Food styling: Charlotte Omnès.

Ice Cream or Whipped Cream will most likely be shortening, corn syrup and frosting
Photographer: Beth Galton
Retouching: Ashlee Gray
Food styling: Charlotte Omnès

Milk is probably hair products, sun cream or even glue
Photographer: Chris Elinchev at Small Pond Productions.
Food styling: Tamara Kaufman.

The steam from food is likely to be coming from a tampon or cotton ball
Source: PetaPixel

The fresh fruit is probably wearing lipstick, lemon juice and ‘Fruit Fresh’:
Source: Readers Digest

Further Research
When working with fresh product, food stylists will have hacks to keep the food as ripe, fresh and appealing as possible. I have listed the tricks I have found below:
- Oil or water on fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and poultry.
- Lemon Juice and ‘Fruit Fresh’ keep fruit looking fresh.
- Hairspray on cakes and bread is used to maintain the appearance without cracks surfacing.
- Deodorant is used on glasses when advertising drinks to give a ‘cool’, frosty effect.