Fresh Produce from Garden to Table

garden tomatoes in colander

Looking for a photography subject? Not sure what to photograph? Do your kids and grandkids or pets run and hide when the camera comes out? Look no further than your own garden, the farmers' market, and yes, even the grocery store for fantastic photography subjects. A vegetable garden provides a wealth of opportunities for your camera. And, who doesn't love fresh produce right from the garden? Tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, cucumbers, melons. The list goes on and on. It's all part of the trend of farm to table and that trend seems to be flourishing everywhere. It's one of the reasons I started my 'Foods of Summer' photography project - delicious fresh food and fantastic photography subjects!

Vegetable Garden

The garden is a great source of photography subjects as well as fresh produce. You can photograph the planning stages of the garden, planting, caring and tending of the garden (weeding!!!), growth and blossoms, vegetables on the plants, harvest, and preparing the veggies to eat. There's so much to photograph! And, vegetables are so cooperative!

So Many Possibilities

You can actually start before the garden ever gets planted. During early spring I began by photographing some of the garden tools and seed packets in my post 'Five Tips for Creating a Photo Friendly Garden'. It's never too early to start! Whether it is a flower garden or a vegetable garden you are considering, photograph every stage if you can. You can even photograph the books that you look through for ideas as in my post 'Garden Wishes'.If you are looking for a photography project, I highly recommend taking a stroll out to the garden, the farmers' market, or even the produce section of your local grocery store. Fresh food with its many colors and textures can be photographed in a variety of styles from a natural and organic view to a formal food-as-art portrait. Be sure to try different perspectives and angles. Move around your subject. Photographing  vegetables and fruit is the perfect way to study light, lines, color, composition, and all the elements that contribute to a strong photograph. Food is a pretty patient subject - except for ice cream. Ice cream is very impatient!

Zucchini From Garden to Table

mature zucchini plant in garden

zucchini freshly picked in garden

zucchini in basket in garden

Zucchini freshly seasoned and roasted

zucchini sticks roasted

Or baked in a muffin with a dollop of cream cheese

zucchini muffins in brown paper baking cups

Food as Art

Food as Art vegetable portrait

Have you photographed vegetables or fruit from your garden or the farmers' market? Sometimes challenging ourselves to photograph those things that seem ordinary or part of our everyday life can really push our skills and get our creative juices flowing. How does fresh zucchini (or any other fruit or vegetable) from the garden look in your world? Get out there and give it a try!If you have any questions about a food photography project or about photographing food or still life in general, please ask! I love to read your comments and answer your questions. So, be sure to comment below. 

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All images are available for purchase.

Please CONTACT ME at nadeen@nadeenflynn.com with any questions or to schedule your learning session.

As a published, featured northern California fine art photographer living in the greater Sacramento area, I specialize in fine art landscape and still life photography. My style is authentic, fresh and personality-driven. I offer workshops and mentoring. While currently living in rural northern California with my husband and a couple thousand walnut trees, I post regularly to Instagram.

Serving Yuba City/Marysville, East Nicolaus, Wheatland, Lincoln, Woodland, Davis, Roseville, Rocklin, and the greater Sacramento area.

(530) 633-7575