Photographer Dominic Perri, New York, Chefs, Kitchen, Photography Tips, Lighting, Subjects, How to Take Pictures, Kitchen, Restaurants, Travel Guide, City Guide, Go Where The Pros Go, GoWhereTheProsGo, Eat Where the Pros Eat, Chefs Feed, Where Chefs Eat, Chef’s Guide, Drink Where The Pros Drink, Drink What the Pros Drink, Insider Recommendations, Pro Recommendations

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Photo Credit: Dominic Perri

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“I have been lucky to meet and photograph some pretty amazing chefs. I started taking the portraits along with the food photos for the restaurant reviews I was assigned to cover. No matter who the chef is, famous or not, I make sure to take a portrait before the shoot is over.  Most of the chefs I photograph are always so busy the day of the shoot and have about 10 minutes tops, if that, to sit and have a photo taken. It’s always a little stressful to try to get that great shot in such a little amount of time, but I guess I tend to work well under the pressure. I really enjoy the challenge.”


Getting Chefs To Relax For The Photo

“I just try to be myself and I start every portrait session the same way by saying please don’t give me the ‘chef pose.’ They almost always laugh and follow up with ‘you mean like this’ and cross their arms and stare directly at me. That’s when I try to sneak a couple of shots. Sometimes it works and I actually get the shot with a non-posing natural smile and sometimes it doesn’t, but it definitely loosens them up a little and it’s a good icebreaker for a conversation starter. After about 10 frames they notice my camera trigger finger (it says Say Cheese!) and that also breaks up some of the tension.”

Chef Fredrik Berselius of Aska   

Photo Credit: Dominic Perri

Chef Brad Farmerie at Public

Photo Credit: Dominic Perri


Favorite Setting & Atmosphere

“Kitchen lighting is the worst and I haven’t really came across many chefs that actually agree to be photographed working in the kitchen unless they are super crammed for time or if the assignment specifically asks for a chef portrait in the kitchen. If the restaurant isn’t open or crowded with guests, I really like to photograph chefs in their restaurant dining rooms or standing out front. I like to showcase the personality of the chef by bringing in the elements of the restaurant in the background.”

Chef Ryan Hardy of Charlie Bird   

Photo Credit: Dominic Perri

Chef Wylie Dufresne at Alder

Photo Credit: Dominic Perri


The Secret To Flattering Lighting

“I don’t really have a secret. Natural light. Its free and beautiful.”

Chefs Harold Dieterle   

Photo Credit: Dominic Perri





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Dominic Perri documents the food world for a living, shooting for major publications like the New York Times. We showcase some of his chef portraits and share a few of his pro photography tips.