We have all had this experience of being tempted to eat after indulging in food porn — a plate of colourful food, aam ras dripping on a dish or sugar syrup sparkling on a paneer jalebi is enough to make us salivate and want to dig in. If the recent Deepavali food promotions or advertisements evoked such response from you, then Mumbai-based photographer Mitali Vyas Ambetkar is probably responsible for those appetising food frames.
As a student of mass media, Mitali joined photography classes to kill summer boredom. When her teacher mentioned food photography, she took a plunge in it, driven largely by her love of food “I had heard only about fashion photography; this was more exciting. I loved this new side of me,” she says.
Hotel Rajdhani’s festive platter clicked by Mitali Vyas Ambetkar
In her six years as a food photographer, Mitali has had some delectable shots with 30 clients ranging from Khandani Rajdhani, Beirut, Hard Rock Cafe, Dominos Pizza to Tiny Owl app.
Interning with food photographer Saba Gaziyani and then working with her for two years formed her learning curve. “ I understood the nuances, impact and how to make food photographs drool-worthy,” she recalls. On her first visit, Mitali saw how Saba took 45 minutes to click a picture of Bhindi masala . “I was a novice and wondered why one picture of a simple dish took so much time. I was amazed by her styling and attention to detail.”
Sushi and dim sum platter clicked by Mitali Vyas Ambetkar
Gradually she learnt that food photography is about making images of food look appetising and inviting“I have huge respect for chefs as they work hard to make every dish stand out. In the same way, I too have to make sure the dish stands out through my shots. I feel satisfied when my photographs add to the brand’s value and people say, ‘I want to go there to eat it.’ My job ends here and the restaurant’s begins,” she says, adding some people have even complimented her that her food photos are better than the actual taste.
In good time
A single shot can take her around 30 minutes to one hour; sometimes she even spends a whole day in shooting 10 shots. Most of her shots are theme-based and she carries her own set of background props and lights. A plate of biryani from a fine dining restaurant or a café would have different backgrounds. She explains, “Design elements enhance a photograph. A dish from an Indian restaurant in the middle eastern would need patterns and colours to portray the region, or a simple dish like hummus and pita bread can also transport you to the land and its culture.”
A photograph by Mitali Vyas Ambetkar
Food photography is time-consuming and staying fit is crucial. “The back goes for a toss and it important to workout. When I am not travelling I make sure I hit the gym and do weight training,” she elaborates.
She is proud that she carries her own equipment to the shoots. “I don’t rent them or dependent on the client for it. I even carry crockery, complete with bowls and spoons.”
Social media has lent a new dimension to food photography. Everyone is interested in Instaworthy clicks, and that is driving many to take to the art form. “I respect amateurs and professionals as they bring their vision to the thought,” says Mitali.
Quite a food lover, she is currently more keen on clicking than eating it. “I have outgrown the phase; now it is the photograph that matters,” she laughs.
Mitali’s professional plans include moving to the next level, by making food videos.
Mitali’s website is
mitaliv.com and her Instagram is @mv_foodframes
