LIFE STYLED CHIC by Monica Garrett

fashion // trends // design // lifestyle

Art Director // Fake Ice Cream Food Styling for Photography

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For our February cover of OC Family magazine Best of OC for families issue. I sketched out this fantastic concept to have a little boy holding the biggest ice cream cone EVER. Well, at least with three scoops & some great depth-of-field in the shot. As with any great concept you must have an even better execution. The pressure was on.

I booked our photographer, Challenge Roddie (yes, his name is Challenge) & our Editor Suz Broughton’s son Ben for our model. Our first concern was the ice cream. I definitely didn’t have any food styling experience and really neither did Challenge. In the beginning I was all ready to buy loads of ice cream & all the fixings. But, how were we going to keep the ice cream from melting & how would we keep refreshing it throughout the shoot? I had no clue. We weren’t equipped to handle ice cream in that way.

I really wanted to see this cover concept come to life so I asked the question we all ask, WWGD? {What Would Google Do?}. I will say I’m sure there are plenty of books out there on food styling, but honestly, I wanted  answers fast.

Food styling is an art in itself. A food stylist almost never uses real food, unless it is something to replicate another item completely different. Think honey vs. syrup on pancakes. I quickly learned I wouldn’t be using real ice cream at all.

I want to share our behind the scenes of how our February issue came to life & how I disappointed so many people by not having real ice cream at all. In the end, it still was beautiful.

How to Make Fake Ice Cream

First, it’s simply powdered sugar & frosting. Yup, that’s it. This could put anyone is a sugar coma faster than you can say “Sweet!”.

Supplies:
• Frosting Tub(s): I used plain vanilla to create my own colors like mint, but you can also get chocolate & strawberry to get those colors instantly
• Large bag of powdered sugar
• Cones (your choice!)
• Electric mixer (a must!)
• Food coloring
• Small bowl & spoon
• Plastic bag
• Wood Skewers
• Ice cream scooper
• Hairspray
• Sprinkles (optional)

LET’S GO
I worked with our Director of Design Luke Hodsdon on this & I brought in my super heavy Cusinart food processor (that was fun). But during a trial run I found out quickly that mixing my hand was not going to cut it. I added one tub of frosting and slowly added powdered sugar as it was all mixed together. The goal is to have the frosting no longer sticky. Once we had a nice batch of white “ice cream” we tested small portions & added food coloring to get the eat colors we wanted in a small side bowl. We went for a mint green, pink & light cocoa chocolate.

Making fake ice cream

Place the frosting inside a plastic bag & knead it into a ball. We wrapped ours in a plastic bowl so either option can work. Then, scoop out using the ice cream scooper. We placed each scoop on a paper plate but wax paper would be ideal. The “ice cream” hardens after it is exposed to air so you want to make sure it looks exactly how you want it to.

Fake vanilla ice cream

The day of the shoot, I placed crushed paper into the cones, inserted a skewer stick that was cut to the correct height to hold 3 scopes. Then I slipped each scoop on until I had three. They stayed perfectly! We then added sprinkles and they were complete. They looked exactly like real ice cream. I wanted to freshen the ice cream up for the photo, so I used a light hair spray to coat them. Viola!

Let me know if you have any questions or tips & tricks of your own!

FinalIceCream

OC Family magazine February 2013 Best of OC

Check out the issue now!

Monica Garrett of Paper Cut Industries

Merry Xmas! -xx

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Xmas

Photo courtesy of The Lifestyle Editor

 

Written by Monica at Paper Cut Industries

December 25, 2012 at 8:49 PM

Giving Thanks // Today Was a Good Day -xx

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Marilyn Monroe as a Puritan

Written by Monica at Paper Cut Industries

November 22, 2012 at 10:02 PM

New Gig // Art Director at OC Family Magazine

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Sunrise

Life has a fantastic way of taking you down some very interesting roads. Since my last blog post so much has happened. Fair warning, if you aren’t into reading, this one isn’t for you.

This year has been so wonderful yet it has thrown me so many curve balls. The best part by far was I marrying the love of my life, Jason. I’ve never been more sure of anything when I chose to marry him. But, with getting married, moving into a house, and changes for Paper Cut, this year has really been a whirlwind.

In late July I decided to step away from Studio 404 Weddings. Having a studio location was a great milestone for me, but once I moved into our new home, I knew I could have a great home office & clear up some overhead. Then, came the game changer.

I accepted a new position as the new Art Director for OC FAMILY magazine. My minor obsession with magazines started at a young age & I couldn’t have been more excited to a new challenge. OC Family is a fun magazine & I am super excited to be working on leading the brand to a more modern look. You might have noticed I have been pinning more moms, babies & kids on Pinterest. Understanding a brand is the first step in helping give it a fresh look.

What does this mean for Paper Cut Industries? I’ve decided I will only be taking on a few projects at a time. I’m really looking forward to the some exciting projects ahead! But please contact me for availability.

OC Family magazine November 2012 with Kajsa James Celebrate Moms

Please check out the latest issue of OC FAMILY featuring my debut cover shoot where I directed the shots with Kajsa James who founded the Maddie James Foundation. I worked on with the amazing photographer Challenge Roddie who captured the drama in the ocean juxtaposed with the beautiful Kajsa in the foreground. Amazing shot.

I am super exited about this journey & I can’t wait to share the December issue with you. We will be featuring lots of work by Lyndsey of Jack & Lola Photography. Stay tuned!

Monica Garrett of Paper Cut Industries

Happy Friday // Yess . . .

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Image

So many exciting things have been going on since my last post that I just wanted to let all my readers know. I will be sharing soon! Talk soon! -xx

Written by Monica at Paper Cut Industries

August 10, 2012 at 8:52 AM

Posted in Life-Styled Chic

Happy Birthday . . . to me! -xx

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Pink Ruffle cake, happy birthday

I love birthdays, and if you know me, you know I love cake too. Today I will lounge, paint my nails a bright orange & wait for my love to get home. We will dine on yummy cake & my favorite Asian food. Here’s to today! -xx

Written by Monica at Paper Cut Industries

July 12, 2012 at 11:42 AM

Happy 4th Dolls! -xx

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Happy 4th of July Sparklers // Sparkle & Shine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love sparklers. They look so beautiful & simple all at the same time. I hope you are having some fun today & just enjoying the simple things in life & the beauty around.

photo // tumblr

 

Written by Monica at Paper Cut Industries

July 4, 2012 at 11:56 AM

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