Sue Todd Photography

A friend challenged me yesterday on LinkedIn to list 10 things I always carry with me. 
 It was a tricky one as it depends what I’m doing, but here goes. 
 I often think that people expect a photographer to rock up with nothing more than a camera and lens or two and even if they know I’m bringing lights and a backdrop they often look surprised at the amount of luggage that arrives too.... 
 From lights, through cameras and lenses to food styling kit and sometimes a box or two of props. 
 My all important food styling case contains amongst other things: 
 1. Tweezers - in different sizes for positioning 2. Cocktail sticks - holding things in place and moving things 3. White tack 4. Pegs - different sizes, colours and more - I love pegs 5. Small chopping board 6. Large and small knives 7. Water spray 8. Oil spray (olive oil, by the way, none of this machine oil from this food photographer) 9. Cotton wool balls - great for soaking up water or splashes of sauces 10. Turkey baster - great for moving liquids or adding more sauce to specific area 
 There’s a lot more besides these but these are always in there. 

So what are your Top 10 items you can’t work without?
#whatsinmybag #behindthescenes #foodphotographer #foodphotography
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Here's a little bit of vibrant, really good for you colour to start the week.
I love fruit and this combination is just as wonderful to look at as it is to eat.
There's nothing more off-putting if you're hungry and looking for somewhere to eat than image after image of food in that awful yellow light from indoor lighting, or of badly composed layouts. People want to come and eat, they are actively looking for somewhere that takes their fancy, so you NEED the best images you... can get.
If you sell food it is critically important that the images you post of your food to your website and social media look exquisite.
While the investment in professional photography may seem off-putting, the difference it can make to your sales is enormous, so the question really is can afford not to?
If you need an incentive to try, then I'm offering £50 off any package to new clients.
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It's been a busy food shoot day today and luckily it was all for eating too. This was the last shot just for me, before finally eating tonight.
It was delicious and looked so bright and pretty. Such fun to shoot too.

It's always lovely to hear that your clients are happy with your work. These cards from Tracey Russell are just beautiful and were a treat to work with.

Happy New Year everyone!!!
I hope its a brilliant one, I can't wait to get started. I've worked with some fabulous clients this year and 2019 is looking pretty exciting.
Huge thanks to everyone who's been involved in this one.

I hope everyone is having a lovely Christmas day with family, friends and loved ones. Wishing you all the very best.

How are you kick starting your Monday? Or are you winding down now for Christmas? This is how I wish I was starting mine ....
Grilled Bacon with Dr Wills Tomato Ketchup in a toasted rye bun from The Naked Deli This was another from my recent shoot with them. Sadly I won't be having one of these this morning.
If you are planning a new menu, new products or need to overhaul your images for 2019 then get in touch.

Today it was lovely to see images I've taken up on the menu boards and in the windows at the brand new Naked Deli! It's a really lovely feeling.
We had popped into Newcastle, met up with our youngest son and stopped off there for coffee and so that I could replenish my cake supply.
It's looking fab and was really busy which is great to see, no seats indoors when we got there and a queue to the door thereafter. I think it will be a great success, the coffee is really good an...d the food is just fantastic and good for you too.
@thenakeddeli #thenakeddeli #thenakeddeli #foodphotography #foodphotographer #suetodd #suetoddphotography #healtheating #throughmylens #newcastle #newcastleupontyne #newmenu #healthyfood #cleaneating
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If you happen to be in Newcastle today, the latest branch of The Naked Deli is due to open. This time last week I was busy planning a shoot for them and that is where today's image comes from. Hoping the opening day goes hugely well, I'm sure it will.
Grass fed burger with spinach, pickled red onion and Dr Wills BBQ Sauce. Oh my goodness did it smell good. Making me hungry already this morning and I've not had breakfast yet.
Great images are key to driving sales for your ...business, if you'd like to discuss what I can do for you, then drop me a message or give me a call.
Dr Will's
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If you ever wonder whether its okay to take and use photos you see online, it isn't and here's a warning not to do so, the consequences can end up being an awful lot more expensive than buying the right to use the image in the first place ..... http://www.epuk.org/news/cardiff-steal

Greens! Do you love them or hate them?
This is another one from my shoot with The Naked Deli
I just love their food and it was a joy to shoot. But food so colourful it brightens the day has to be good doesn't it.

Chocolate orange pancakes?? Every bit as good as they look too. I was shooting for The Naked Deli on Monday for their new menu.
Naked Deli do the most amazing food and cater for GF, veggie and vegan diets. Their new store opens in central Newcastle on Monday, so if you are in town do check them out.
I had a fab time doing this shoot, as you can see. I got to sample too which was wonderful.

Tomatoes and bright rich colours to remind us that while summer is gone, it is coming back and each day now brings us closer to more warm sultry days. I think that's a lovely thought to cling to through the dark days of winter.
A lot of people assume that a photographer's work is really simple, all you do is show up with a fancy camera and take a few quick snaps because you 'have an eye' for images. Hey Presto, Cillitt Bang style, the work is done.
Nothing could be furthe...r from the truth. Sometimes people call and just want a price or an hourly rate for a job. I however have a list of things I need to know before I can get close to giving a price. So I ask lots and lots of questions ....
For instance I want to know about the person or business, the branding they have, the colours they use, the 'look' they have, what the images need to convey, how the images will be used and what for .... the list goes on.
Because one of the things that I do well and love to do is to think creatively I may be able to come up with suggestions for their shoot that they've not thought of.
It might sound an awful lot but it all helps me to build a picture of what my client needs and how best I can help them achieve their goals and get the most from the shoot I'm to do for them.
If you are looking to improve the images your business uses in 2019 why not book a FREE DISCOVERY CALL now?
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Oh Oh I nearly missed this, nearly forgot!!! Sue Todd Photography is four years old today!!! YAY!!!!!
How can you forget something like your business birthday???
If it hadn't been for the lovely Sharon MacArthur mentioning her business being 4.5 over on LinkedIn, the penny would never have dropped! So huge thank Sharon for prompting my memory.
... There's a lovely apple cake on the go now in the kitchen to celebrate. This is one from the archives for BaloolahBunting
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I thought I'd add a little bit of spice into Thursday to help us all to the end of the week.
I love having a store of herbs and spices on hand both for cooking generally and using in the studio - they make such great props.
If you work in hospitality and you want to spice up your sales next year with some on brand beautiful imagery that will make mouths water, drop me a message and book a FREE DISCOVERY CALL.

It is now the season for comfort food, warm cosy and filling.
I'm hoping this will upload okay as I've had a nightmare with LinkedIn today.
Don't forget if you need food or drink photography I can work with you on location or here in my studio. We can cook too - years in the trade help out no end.

So Sunday evening found me in Newcastle with London Bar & Kitchen, Newcastle for their Industry Pre Christmas Industry Cocktail party. What an amazing event and fabulous evening.
To start with LBK's showroom is just a dream for a food/drinks photographer, packed to the rafters with the most beautiful glass, china, cutlery and more. If you work in the trade and haven't been there you really are missing a trick. Food has to look good, you need fab food, good props and fabulo...us photography. If any part of that trio is missing, you'll be missing sales too.
I was working so not sampling cocktails - but I did have one when I finished. I did however have a tiny, tiny sample of Voodoo Brew Vodka - oh my its good!! It also formed part of the winning cocktail of the evening by Chris Fumoleau and the Voodoo Brew UK brand headed up by Lee Brown.
Steve Arthurs kept the drinks flowing all evening, food came from The Herb Garden. Drinks were provided by the bartenders and The Drinks Trade NE.
Bek Todd Ellie Forster
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This is an oldie I just re-visited. Looking forward to doing a few more of these very soon.
What's your favourite tipple?
If you'd like a helping hand with your food/drinks photography, drop me a message and we'll set up a free discovery call.

Sue is one of, if not the most talented photographers I have ever come across. Her unique style and beautiful images have inspired be to think about how they can be used in my textiles/upholstery business. In addition, Sue has a wonderful personality that makes you feel comfortable in the knowledge that she will help you capture the best of your product to help you take it to the next level

Sue is a very talented photographer. She captured the essence of my workshops so well, I was bowled over. She’s very easy to work with and so unobtrusive during the session. Thank you!

Sue is a lovely lady who can visualise what you need and can turn those ideas into photographic reality. She's lovely too!

Sue has just finished our product shoot. She has been amazing and went above and beyond to create the perfect pictures and we are thrilled. We have no hesitation in recommending her and will be using her for any future products. Thank you Sonia and Howard

Sue did a photoshoot of my teaching a couple of my piano students a couple of weeks ago. She was great with the kids and also put me at ease ... I hate having my photo taken! The finished result is fantastic ... thank you Sue!

I would recommend Sue to anyone!

She is an outstanding photographer who gets the best out of the objects- which is a rare talent! Her eye is exceptional and she is also extraordinarily fun and intelligent.An outstanding photographer.