Food Photographer David De Stefano shoots for Metro Grocery Stores

Montreal, Canada-based food/drink photographer David De Stefano has worked with Metro grocery stores on a regular basis for the last several years. The Canadian food retailer is headquartered in Montreal, with 953 stores in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

With Metro’s four in-store brands (Selection, Irresistibles, Personnelle, and Life Smart), David enjoyed a constant flow of assignments for both product and packaging shoots. His most recent commissions from Metro ranged from savory to sweet, with new product shots for the Irresistibles and Life Smart brands.

I think Metro really requires experienced photographers who can manage a variety of styles and are technically proficient in order to deliver on the perfection usually demanded of food packaging photography. It goes without saying that really knowing your way around a food set is a must. It also helps that my partner and prop stylist, Caroline Nault, and I have a deep bank of in-studio props to deal with the quick turnaround times of these shoots.

Packaging tear sheet of chocolate cake mix, presenting cake on cake stand garnished with orange slices and zest, by Montreal, Canada-based food/drink photographer David De Stefano. David De Stefano, Metro Grocery Stores, grocery stor photography, food photography, food photographer, food packaging photography, food stylist, phoode

Through his many projects with Metro, David and his client have refined their pre-planning process to a T: creative brief, prop approval, and scheduling the shoot.

Most of the work is done remotely, in coordination with their design agency Pigeon Brands, based in Toronto.

Photo ad for frozen shrimp, herbed shrimp with lemon and garlic in cast iron skillet, by Montreal, Canada-based food/drink photographer David De Stefano. David De Stefano, Metro Grocery Stores, grocery stor photography, food photography, food photographer, food packaging photography, food stylist, phoode

For each assignment, the goal of the photos can be broken down to two words:

Appetite appeal.

Photo ad for pancake mix, with tall stack of pancakes, maple syrup and blueberries, garnished with lemon wedges and mint, by Montreal, Canada-based food/drink photographer David De Stefano. David De Stefano, Metro Grocery Stores, grocery stor photography, food photography, food photographer, food packaging photography, food stylist, phoode

The photoshoots took place in the studio, with David and a small team present on set. David stayed connected with Metro and Pigeon Brands remotely, updating the client and agency throughout the shoot.

It is always fun, and a challenge to make these shots come to life. I usually like to add as much mood as possible when it comes to lighting — which is not always easy for packaging shoots.

Photo of non-dairy frozen dessert containers stacked in a tower, before a shadowed teal backdrop, by Montreal, Canada-based food/drink photographer David De Stefano. David De Stefano, Metro Grocery Stores, grocery stor photography, food photography, food photographer, food packaging photography, food stylist, phoode

As David reflected on the projects, he remembered that each shot presented its unique challenges, a common occurrence in food/drink photography.

Ice cream melts. Chocolate can sweat out its oils or whiten. Lettuce wilts quickly and coriander lasts literally seconds before it dies on set. You just have to know what you are shooting, and have an answer for whatever does not look as good as you would like.

Photo of traditional ramen bowl, with shitake mushrooms, spring onions, pork, pickled eggs and hot peppers, by Montreal, Canada-based food/drink photographer David De Stefano. David De Stefano, Metro Grocery Stores, grocery stor photography, food photography, food photographer, food packaging photography, food stylist, phoode

Behind-the-scenes photo of studio with food/drink set and photo equipment, with sun setting in background, by Montreal, Canada-based food/drink photographer David De Stefano. David De Stefano, Metro Grocery Stores, grocery stor photography, food photography, food photographer, food packaging photography, food stylist, phoode

See more of David’s work on his website.

Credits
Metro Design and Branding Creative Direction Manager: Eric Gagnon
Agency: Pigeon Brands
Pigeon Brands Directeur de Création Exécutif: Olivier Chevillot
Pigeon Brands Creative Director: Jessika Neal
Pigeon Brands Graphic Designers: Canelle Péré and Catherine Potvin
Food Stylists: Nataly Simard, Heidi Bronstein, and Anne Gagne
Uno Photodesign Prop Stylist: Caroline Nault

Phoode Client Case Studies

The Phoode Client Case Studies segment highlights creative marketing projects in which Phoode has assisted clients from the food, beverage, hospitality, and other industries to meet their creative needs. In this segment, we share examples of how Phoode’s clients have utilized our platform and network of creative professionals.

Phoode operates as a marketplace and creative talent search engine, which is free to join and offers access to an ever-growing global network of food and beverage-focused creative talent. With over 7000 experienced creatives and production partners, including food photographers, stylists, writers, bloggers, recipe developers, artists, designers, tabletop directors, cinematographers, and producers, Phoode’s network offers Fortune 500-level expertise in various forms of food and beverage content marketing.

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