Food Stylist

Create

The first step is envisioning what that final shot should look like, something that makes you think, "oh yes, I want to eat that". I like the tiny adjustments best—altering the lighting just a bit, changing the spacing in between items, swapping out one coloured linen for another—until you just know, yes, that’s it, that’s the shot.

Shel Zolkewich
Food Stylist

In A Nutshell

I place food in a creative and attractive way so it can be photographed or displayed.   

I search out and buy interesting props to make photos look more exciting.

I prepare and manage food before and during a shoot to keep it looking its freshest.

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Potential Salary Range

$40,000 - 52,000 Annually

Which provinces would this job be in?

Alberta AB
Alberta
British Columbia BC
British Columbia
Manitoba MB
Manitoba
New Brunswick NB
New Brunswick
Newfoundland & Labrador NL
Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia NS
Nova Scotia
Ontario ON
Ontario
Prince Edward Island PEI
Prince Edward Island
Quebec QC
Quebec
Saskwatchewan SK
Saskwatchewan

I get to work in all kinds of locations and kitchens; from big restaurants to cookbook publishers to the great outdoors. It’s always exciting and new, but no matter where I am, the food I’m presenting gets all my attention.

Workplace

Indoor / Outdoor

Job Requirements & Duties

  • Stylize food for photos and videos
  • Talk with food production staff to understand what recipes should be presented
  • Purchase food and ingredients needed for shoots
  • Do live demonstrations for events
  • Work with other cooks to develop new recipes
  • Cook food that is used for photos and videos  

Education & Training

  • There is lots of opportunity within this profession to be self-taught, but a strong interest in food, photography, and design helps a lot. A degree in culinary or baking arts, as well as having photography experience and/or training, is beneficial in order to become a food stylist.
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Job Outlook

    The outlook for prospective food stylists is considered fair. There should be about the same number of job openings are there are people to fill them.

Related School Subjects

Arts Education
Science
Career Education

What words come to mind when thinking about this career?

Food Marketing Photography Advertising

Important Skills

Artistic

Food styling is basically creating art out of food, so understanding the basics of art, colour, and composition AND being able to apply them is really important when setting up a shot.

interpersonal-man-people-communication-Relation

Interpersonal

While I do have some creative freedom, I have conversations with customers and food photographers to make sure I’m setting things up with their visions in mind.

Planning

A lot of the food I style has a tiny window before it melts, deflates, or sweats. I have to plan shoots down to the second so photographers can capture food at its most beautiful time.

adaptability-transformation-adjust-change-mutation-revolotion

Adaptability

My job throws all kinds of creative challenges at me, from venues to props to the food I’m styling. I have to be able to adapt to the situation at a moment’s notice. 

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The Best Things About This Job Are…

Creative Work
Flexible Work Environment
Helps Others
Work Changes Daily