A very creative project that I was a part of in the past was to shoot for the new drinks menu at the Ice Bar in London.

This cocktail photography project was challenging yet rewarding, as I was hired as the Art Director and Drink photographer.

Liquid photography seems easy and straightforward from an outsider's perspective but there's a lot of attention to detail, such as wearing gloves to avoid fingerprints on the glass, and styling the drink is much more difficult as we are dealing with liquids.

Dark and moody cocktail with the Ice Bar.

Concept of the shoot

The concept of this shoot was dark, moody, elegant, fresh. I wanted to play with dark colours in the background and accentuate the vibrant colours of the drinks. I like shooting using dark and luxurious colours for the background to create a mysterious aesthetic with the subtle colours of the cocktail drinks conveying the message of the Ice Bar.

Lighting and props were also considered in the shoot. The lighting is subtle, gently giving light and attention on the cocktail without spoiling the aesthetic of the dark and mysterious background. The request for the props was to be simple; simple yet vivid ingredients such as orange slices or green rosemary, as well as tray props that would not attract too much attention from the background.

These artistic ideas are included in the mood board I provide the client with, along with example images to better demonstrate my ideas and creative thinking.

My process of shooting

The process I follow when I organise my food and drink photography shoots, is to create a mood board and a shoot schedule which includes all the details for the shoot - from addresses to phone numbers - in order to keep the crew informed on all processes.

The mood board is used by the creatives in the team such as the food stylist and the props assistant. The food stylist and assistant, following the mood board, are responsible for finding the appropriate props, utensils, and appropriate colour items for the shoot that will support the images. The stylist is also responsible for preparing the drink for the shoot, for its presentation and for placing all the props to create a harmonious image.

After the cocktail's styling is finished, I start shooting. My main consideration is to ensure that the image speaks the client's message. I ensure that the photo creates an emotional connection with the customer and lifts the image of the brand.

Cocktail drinks I shot:

Gin Mare

Served with London Essence Tonic Water, fresh rosemary and olives.

Lavender Margarita

A fresher variation of the classic martini cocktail.

Cherry Night

A cherry flavoured champagne drink.

Smokin Negroni

This drink is made of San Cosme Mezcal, Antica Formula Carpano, Aperol and Espresso.

You can access my full drink photography portfolio here. For any enquiries, I am happy to meet in person to discuss your creative ideas and concept.

Cocktail Photography.