The client needs some shots for their social media. They want a lot of them.

We call these shoots “Library Shoots” as you are helping them build a library of images. Usually, these are based on time and image count.

For instance:

Two days of shooting, with a minimum of 40 shots.

You must bid accordingly since most library shoots are buyouts, which means they can use them for whatever they want forever.

So you bid accordingly.

These bids can run from double the normal rate to as much as 8X the normal rate. Of course the higher your rates go, the more exclusive your client must be.Do the research and find out what the photographers in your area are billing for these buyout situations. In most cases double to triple the base rate.

The subject: Cook Tools Without a Cook.

Below is a list of shots the client thought would be good. Choose and have fun. 

You may submit up to four images, but please no more. NOTE: one must be your setup.

Let’s bring out some fresh perspectives and color outside the lines.

1. The Painter’s Palette, Chef’s Version | A high-angle shot of a chef’s palette knife, smeared with a vibrant array of sauces. It’s a fusion of art and food, colors and flavors all in one frame.
2. Sieve: The Star Shaper | An up-close shot of a sieve, with powdered sugar or flour still in the mesh, as it shapes a celestial pattern onto a chocolate cake. It’s a moment of creation, frozen in time.
3. Wok on Fire | A wok in mid-toss, with food ingredients seemingly suspended in the air over a vibrant flame. This image should exude the raw energy and dynamism of high-heat cooking.
4. The Whetstone Ritual | A long-exposure shot of a chef’s hand sharpening a knife on a whetstone, the motion blurring into a mesmerizing dance of precision and care.
5. Steam Basket’s Softness | A bamboo steam basket, with the lid just slightly ajar to let out a wisp of steam. Use soft lighting to create an air of mystery and tranquility.
6. Measuring Spoons: The Subtle Balancing Act | A series of measuring spoons, each filled with a different spice or ingredient, delicately balanced on the edge of a kitchen counter. The shot should evoke a delicate, precarious balance that mirrors the precise art of cooking.
7. Pasta Machine in Motion | Show a pasta machine mid-action, with a beautiful sheet of fresh pasta mid-roll. Capture the motion and the transformation from dough to pasta.
8. In the Heart of the Garlic Press | A close-up, macro shot of a garlic press just as it’s squeezing out a clove. Let’s spotlight the tiny details that often go unnoticed.
9. Mirror in the Ladle | An overhead shot of a soup ladle, filled with a clear broth that mirrors the kitchen ceiling. It’s a reflection of the world where the magic happens.
10. The Cast-Iron Pan as a Canvas | A well-seasoned cast-iron pan, shot from a low angle against a bright backdrop. The pan is the canvas, and the food remnants are the abstract art left behind after the cooking.
11. Tongs: Extension of the Chef’s Hand | Capture a pair of tongs reaching into the frame, as if they are the chef’s very own fingers, deftly flipping a sizzling steak.
12. The Splash Guard Symphony | A mid-action shot of a splash guard, splattered with colorful sauce droplets. It’s a symphony of chaos, color, and creation, representing the intense and passionate process of cooking.

These ideas are intended to push the boundaries of conventional food photography, to look at the kitchen as a vibrant stage where creativity comes to life, and everyday tools are the performers. Let the world see the kitchen through your lens. Let’s make them fall in love with the art of cooking.

Choose the one you like best, and have fun with it.

Oh, and clean up after yourselves, will ya.