There are images I can return to again and again without tiring of them. They look joyful. They make me smile. They make me happy.
Last weekend I was fortunate to travel to Chicago. Five memorable days in the Windy City included a surprise birthday party organized for my mother-in-law, with family and friends who had come from Seattle, Dublin, and England; a stay with one of P.’s amusing old friends in a neighborhood I nicknamed “the village,” which I delighted in exploring on foot; and a visit to a charming photo studio on Walnut Street where I met an exceptionally talented photographer and his friendly team. Those five days are ones I won’t forget.
I first connected with Jeff Kauck through my blog some time ago. After exchanging a few emails we arranged to meet in person. The moment I shook hands with his warm, smiling presence I knew I was in for a great studio visit—and I was right.
Jeff is a Chicago-based photographer whose work spans cookbooks, advertising, and editorial projects. He was a 2005 James Beard Photography nominee. His images reveal a masterful control of color and light; he consistently finds tones and illumination that elevate carefully composed, elegant food scenes. Each photograph feels like an invitation; every image tells a story you wish you were part of. I quietly began calling him the light magician.
I observed a session where Jeff, together with food stylists and an assistant, shot stock images. Beautiful dishes kept passing by: slices of chocolate and pound cake neatly arranged on white plates, a vibrant corn salad, colorful pasta. “You will be able to eat some when we are done,” Janice, Jeff’s producer, told me when she noticed my longing looks. Most of the food they styled was indeed edible. When I asked Jeff about his inspiration and composition choices, his answer came back to his dedication to finding the perfect light.
“In every city there is a different hue in the light,” he said. I agreed—P. and I often comment on the warm orange light Boston offers in fall and winter. Jeff told me he’d been in Provence and Italy that year, but hadn’t found the same familiar light he usually seeks. Still, he enjoyed his time there, especially a week working with Patricia Wells.
Jeff began his creative life as a watercolor painter. He emphasizes highlights and often works from mid-tones upward, a painterly approach that translates into his photography. His images echo the harmonious, inviting palettes and clean freshness you might associate with photographers like Donna Hay or the rich Australian light of Sydney. His passion for the craft is evident in every frame.
Admittedly, I was so absorbed by the activity in the studio that I was shy about taking my camera out and didn’t capture the session myself. Regardless, I returned home inspired and full of ideas.
Completely sous le charme.
All photographs shown in this post are by Jeff Kauck Photography.
