Melissa Darr Photography & Styling | Product/service

Melissa Darr Photography & Styling

Phone: +61 410 430 047

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25.01.2022 Feeling a bit peckish.... it’s nearly lunch time and a New York Rueben would hit the spot. This is a meal hack from @thestfoodco New York Rueben ready meal. Toast some bread and you’re good to go. Props/Styling & Photography @melissadarr.stylist

25.01.2022 Summertime cocktails! Waiting for the warmer weather to come back! for @rewardhospitality Styling & Photography: @melissadarr.stylist

25.01.2022 New work for @gevityrx to launch their new Sriracha Mayo alongside their other amazing sauces!! I am now obsessed with all of them but particularly the Sriracha Mayo. It goes on EVERYTHING and it’s not only tastes good but is also good for your guts. Plus it’s egg free, dairy & gluten free so perfect for those with allergies. I’m a convert!

24.01.2022 Can you turn a hobby into a successful business? Yes, yes you can. Does it happen over night? Definitely not. Is it easy. Nope. Do I love what I do. You betcha. I’ve been working with styling food and food photography for nearly 10 years and full time for myself for nearly 6 of those. I’ve worked from home with babies underfoot, in my kitchen and expanded to working onsite with clients and now my own small but mighty studio space @millviewstudio. I started from humble beginni...ngs running a food blog many years ago and built my skills from there. Lots of practice.... so much practice, talking to industry experts, taking courses and learning on the fly has got me here today. It’s been hard work but the passion for what I do has driven me through those bumpy roads when you think in any business, can I do this? am I good at this? is it worth pursing? I found when things get hard I’d take a step back regroup, do something that fills me creatively and push forward again. I am so grateful for all the wonderful clients I have worked with over the years and created many wonderful images for. All I can say if you are wanting to make something a reality such as starting a small business or turning a hobby into something more! Go for it, push forward, it might not be easy but know you are doing something that makes a fire in your belly and brings a spring to your step! Get after it See more

24.01.2022 Product photography for @inglewoodorganic showcasing their Chicken & Feta Sausages. I mean YUM! These would make the perfect star in your BBQ for Australia day! Hint Hint.

24.01.2022 Moody beach vibes. I shot this beautiful range of Elements ceramics last year for @rewardhospitality. Had fun playing with some natural elements to mimic the elements these pieces were named after. A little foraging may have been involved! for @rewardhospitality Styling & Photography: @melissadarr.stylist

23.01.2022 Really ready to wave goodbye to the last day of winter! So long and see you next year. Time to start enjoy some warmer weather and some fresh spring dinners! for @thehealthymummy Props, Styling & Photography @melissadarr.stylist

23.01.2022 Shadows. Outtake from last week’s shoot with @rewardhospitality. Summers a comin.

22.01.2022 Did you know I’ve been building a studio? It’s been in the works for sometime..... over 12 months now but it’s slowly coming together! This studio means I no longer have to take up residence in the family home and I will have a designated space to work from and have clients come and work with me. It will house a full working kitchen, large professional oven and cooktop, dishwasher, fridge and microwave - so all the mod cons. It will also house all my props and backgrounds t...hat I use on a daily basis ( and is growing steadily every month ) These will also be more readily available for use for working clients. There will also be a office nook where I am sure I will spend a fair bit of time editing photos and emailing clients. The Northey aspect of the large windows we have placed means there will be a abundant of natural light to play with but on the days I need something more consistent I will bring out the strobes. Hoping to have this space finished by the end of the year and I hope to keep you updated on the journey!

21.01.2022 Schnitzel the size of your head, buckets of ribs or lamb shanks, fork tender salmon and steaks cooked to perfection! That’s what I found when I came to photograph the menu for @hotelwestend . What a delight to be able to showcase their menu. Make sure you pop in if you’re in the area.

21.01.2022 Mini pizza bites and hex tile backgrounds. Loving this urban feel. Somebody asked me recently how I know what to bring to a client photo shoot. Well there are a number of factors but the main one being is communication with the client on what the shoot is about and what feel they want these images to portray. Like dark and moody, light and bright, a Tuscan vibe, and dark grungy vibe. Creating a mood board is ALWAYS helpful. The next step is then sending the client a l...ink to my background catalogue. This catalogue contains custom made backgrounds made by myself or by some very talented makers. This took a bit of time putting together photographing every background I own but long term has helped the clients know what is available to them to use in a shoot. Once they’ve picked the backgrounds I can pull together props that suit the look and feel they’re going for. There is so much variation in every client shoot which is why I love my job so much. Never dull or boring and always great food to play with. @thehealthymummy Props/Styling & Photography @melissadarr.stylist *Hex tile background custom made by me. See more

21.01.2022 Jumping into another busy week this week with some new and old clients. Here’s another past project I worked on in July with Kialla Pure Foods located here in Greenmount. I helped style food for a event in conjunction with Australian Organic with Ambassador Lincoln Lewis showcasing all the beautiful products that Kialla make. The early morning start was REALLY chilly (I think the wind chill was something like -1) but made for a very clear day..... apart from the fog covering the mountains in the background. Another fun morning playing with food!

20.01.2022 Is it Friday yet? My new favourite subject to capture has to be a Negroni. It’s a delightful colour has a great garnish and requires ice which is always a good addition and makes interesting photography matter. I was swinging two ways with this photo, do I got a light and bright image with harsh shadows or dark and moody. Glad I went down the dark and moody track. The contrast in the shadows and slither of light hitting the particles of ice in frame make me What drink should I photograph next?

18.01.2022 Could dive face first into this today! I recently upgraded my artificial lighting from a continuous light to a strobe flash system - Godox AD600pro for those keeping score. I’m still tinkering with how best to use it but I am a little bit in love. I think as a creative we are always pushing, learning, tinkering with ourselves to perfect our craft and become better versions of what we are even if it is in small increments. It’s like anything in life..... practice makes perfect. P.s can I also say this @aldiaustralia Dark chocolate is the bomb

18.01.2022 MERRY & BRIGHT Product photos for Willow & Sage Holistic Beauty new range of pamper gift hampers perfect to spoil a loved one this Christmas! Don’t forget a beauty voucher to top it off. In other news I’m fully booked for the rest of 2020 and already nearly booked out January 2021! It’s been a weird and wonderful year business wise but I’m grateful for every client that has come across my desk. May 2021 be one that is slightly more stable and a little less weird . Here’s to hoping right?

18.01.2022 Who is embarking on their dry July challenge today? I’ve decided to go sugar free for the month of July.... my husband laughed at me when I told him. He said I wouldn’t last a week. I’ll show him . Photo for: @rewardhospitality Styling & Photography: @melissadarr.stylist

17.01.2022 Fridays are for epic cheeseboards and . Am I right? New work for @hanksjam Their Mango & Kaffir Lime chutney is a great star for that epic cheeseboard! Happy Friday everyone. Styling/Props & Photography @melissadarr.photographer

15.01.2022 Tastiest Chicken sausages in town! I had the pleasure of @inglewoodorganic newest product for packaging images and boy were they tasty. Chicken & Feta sausages in partnership with @barambahorganics Feta. Keep your eyes peeled for them landing near you.

14.01.2022 Keeping with my caramel theme this week..... Caramel Fudge Smoothies with @inshapemummy . E-commerce & lifestyle images to launch this new range of smoothie powders. This one was a caramel explosion So much fun.

13.01.2022 Hi New Followers and Old I realised I haven’t properly introduced myself here so it’s time to remedy that. My name is Melissa and I’m the face behind Melissa Darr Photography & Styling. I am a wife and mum to 3 wonderful and sometimes rascally kids (Ages 4,6 & . I live in beautiful tree lined Toowoomba, Queensland. Current obsessions include coffee (hello 3 kids) cycling (new to me thanks to covoid), building my new studio with my husband and cocktails - photo...graphing them that is..... maybe a few taste tests in there. So what do I do here? Well I’m so glad you asked. I am passionate about not only STYLING beautiful food & products for clients but I can PHOTOGRAPH them too. You could say I’m a two-for-one package. Clients come to me to help them create scroll stopping images for their Food or Products to help elevate their brand. I can either travel to the client or work from my home based studio. I’ve been styling and photographing for nearly 10 years and I can say I learn something new with every client I work with. I love learning about each client’s business and how each facet of there business works. As I mentioned above I am in the throes of building a personal studio. This will house a full kitchen, photography area, office nook etc. you can check its progress out @millviewstudio - which reminds me I need to update it. I feel like I am so lucky to have found my passion in life and enjoy what I do immensely. So that’s me, thanks for making it to the end https://www.melissadarr.com/portfolio

12.01.2022 Is it Friday yet? Recent shoot with the stunning new @theluckysquire at the Gold Coast. When part of the brief was to shoot some cocktails I was like heck yes!! Photography @melissadarr.stylist

11.01.2022 Friday night line up ready to go by @melissadarr.stylist for @theluckysquire

10.01.2022 Frothing over my newest obsession! Foaming Cocktails. Dare I say I’ve become a bit of a connoisseur in these frothy concoctions. Lots of taste testing of course. Also I have a new obsession for drinks glasses. So many glasses..... Happy Friday everyone Props, Styling & Photography @melissadarr.stylist

09.01.2022 Taking Chef portrait photos of these two cheeky chefs was the perfect end to a great shoot with the @theluckysquire. When taking pictures of food transitions to taking pictures of the people who make the food!

08.01.2022 I have a confession to make. I made my first batch of waffles in my life last month. Kinda hooked now and the kids aren’t complaining. Waffles for everyone! for @thehealthymummy Styling/Props & Photography: @melissadarr.stylist

07.01.2022 Spring means asparagus season and I can’t wait for them to start poking their little heads through in our veggie patch. Albeit if they can find their way through the weeds. Better get onto that this weekend. Throw back for @thehealthymummy. Props/Styling & Photography @melissadarr.stylist

06.01.2022 Updating some product photography for Willow & Sage Holistic Beauty my sister Jessica Beauty Salon. These are for social media & her website and to update the imagery to fit in with her branding. These gorgeous products are from @auric_alchemy which Jessica stocks alongside some other beautiful organic skincare items. She has some wonderful Christmas gift hampers available for purchase which make the perfect pamper gift alongside a voucher from her salon! What women doesn’t want to be pampered right?

06.01.2022 New work for Inglewood Organic Chicken ! Launching chicken strips today in selected coles stores! Go check them out. They are delicious.

05.01.2022 Recent work for @kiallapurefoods . Producing some lifestyle shots for new packaging of their Artisan Range of Flours. I even baked a sourdough loaf for the occasion.... the one in the middle. The rest are made by @thebakersduck because baking one loaf is enough for me and I’ll let the pro’s do the rest.

04.01.2022 New work for Inglewood Organic Chicken .

02.01.2022 Charcuterie of your dreams with @viscofoods . I had the pleasure of working with this crew back in the middle of the year. They stock some of the most delicious fine gourmet foods imported from all over the world. I got to wander through their massive freezers stocked with all types of preserved meats and cheeses . A foodies delight

02.01.2022 A little website update..... https://www.melissadarr.com/millview-studio

02.01.2022 Some recent product photography I did for Willow & Sage Holistic Beauty just in time for Christmas!

01.01.2022 Winter = all.the.carbs. Am I right? Any hot potato dish and I’m there for it, hot chips, wedges, baked potatoes, particularly these roasted potatoes with melted hot butter pooling in all the crevices finished with a good pinch of sea salt flakes and herbs! New menu addition for @gabbinbarhomestead ! I’m here for it. Yum.

01.01.2022 Been a little busy bee over here over the past couple of months! I thought I’d share a couple of the projects I’ve been working on in collaboration with some amazing people. In July I had the pleasure of playing stylist to Salt Studios Commercial for @claytonsorganicbeef with Round Square Marketing. This was a full day shoot and a big day in the kitchen producing beautiful burgers, sausages , mountains of spaghetti and a good looking steak. You can see the end result over at https://claytonsorganicbeef.com.au/

01.01.2022 Last month of winter coming right up.... not that I’m counting down the days or anything. Butter Chicken Soup for @thehealthymummy Styling/Props/Photography: @melissadarr.stylist

01.01.2022 The giver of life every morning A close up shot of @rewardhospitality new range of Beanology coffee beans. & styling by @melissadarr.stylist