Donna Crous

How did you get into professional photography?

In a moment of random craziness, I decided to enter the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year.  I was placed third in my category, Blogging, and from there many doors opened for me in the UK photography industry.

What are the challenges posed by food photography? 

I not only need a full photography studio but also access to a fully functioning kitchen in close proximity to each other, so I converted my TV room into my studio. Although the downside to having my studio at home is that it is still a home for the rest of my family. As well as all the usual photographic gear and lights, there’s also a large selection of props and backgrounds. Space becomes a big challenge, and I’ve learned to become selective when acquiring new gear and props to minimise how much my work takes over our home.

Why do you like using Rotolight for your photography?

Without strong natural light it is very difficult to capture highlights in motion shots, so positioning my light either behind or to the side helps to add beautiful contrast and clarity. For instance, in this honey shot, it was used to draw attention to the droplets falling through the fingers, which otherwise would not have been possible on an overcast day. It was a revelation to be able to work with natural light using an artificial fill.