A Day in the Life of Food Photographer Georgie Glass: All the Delicious Details

Get a glimpse into a day in the life of Georgie Glass Photography
Spend 24 hours with Moi as I take you on a whistle stop tour of my typical day! 

Being a pro-photographer is a pretty cool job but just like every snazzy photo you see online or in magazines, there’s a lot more that goes on before (and after) the all-important shoot. From my breakfast brew to post shoot slumber let me take you behind the scenes of my photographer life! 

My morning routine is all about motivation, music and a bit of ‘me’ time! 

Starting the day with a little slice of self-care sets me up nicely for whatever kind of shoot I have scheduled later. I’m admittedly a creature of habit (I *love* a routine) which means I always get up at 6am – even if I don’t need to! 

It’s important to me that my day never starts off rushed - and I don’t have to forgo the little things that make me happy - like coffee! The first blissful hour is for me. My work phone stays in the office, and I catch up with the news, text friends or family and enjoy that first brew of the day. 

Once the caffeine hits, I shower, get ready listening to some *very* loud music and after having my brekkie (the most important meal of the day) I focus my mind on packing the gear for whatever photoshoot the day has in store. 

After 10 years of photography my ‘prep’ list has become second nature 

To save myself unnecessary stress, I like to get things together the night before a big shoot. I charge everything overnight – battery packs, lights etc and I like to make sure things like soft boxes, backdrops and C-stands are loaded up by the front door ready for the morning. Not only does it stop me worrying about little things, but it also gives me more time the next day to check if I’ve forgotten something or evaluate if I need to add something extra. 

I don’t have a meticulous checklist. I’ve been packing gear into cars for the last 10 years, so I have a pretty good understanding of what I need and where it gets packed into the car! (Imagine Tetris in the boot!) However, I do have new systems for shooting tethered so, for bigger jobs, I need to remember to pack all the new bits! Like making room for my new shooting table! 

Setting up the shoot involves more than *just* the equipment

I always like to create a positive vibe on set, so on arrival, the first thing I do is brew up! Making a cuppa for the whole team helps boost morale from the get-go and brings a lovely caffeinated collaborative tone to the whole day. Then I focus on getting stuck into the details. Before I set up, I like to walk through the brief with the client, discuss how they see the day shaping up and get prepared for the first shot. Getting on the same page as the client asap, helps inform how I’m going to setup my gear. It means if there are any niggly details that need ironing out or last-minute changes that need to be made, we can address them quickly. 

As soon as the brief has been sorted through, it’s time to get that music on! I opt for something I know everyone will like. Depending on the age of the client and team, Radio 2 is always a good shout, or Kisstory on Kiss FM gets everyone vibin’. I don’t think my love of heavy metal would go down well on most shoots I do. But never say never! 

Being friendly and being able to think on your feet are key qualities no matter how good a photographer you are! 

Creating a good energy flow and lots of positive vibes on shoots, helps me perform at my best. I like to make sure that each food shoot has a relaxed atmosphere where the whole team is content. I’m naturally a bubbly person and I really enjoy getting to know my clients and having a laugh. Afterall the best photos are those where everyone is at ease. I see it as my job to bring out the best in people, whether its people in front of the camera or the crew supporting the shoot. 

Every food photography shoot is a balance of professionalism and fun. As the art director and photographer, I must always keep an eye on timings and running order to make sure we don’t spend too much time on one setup or lose track of the shoot plan. No matter how good you are, or how long you’ve been a photographer, there are times when things will go wrong. Whether its ice cream melting in the heat or chasing the ‘perfect’ light, it really pays to be able to think on your feet. I learnt early on that there’s no real failsafe way to prepare for *every* possible hiccup on set. You learn from every shoot that there’s always something that could happen! The only thing you can really do is to remember each lesson you’ve learned for next time! And, if there’s ever a moment where something does go wrong, you’ve got to keep a cool head! It’s not just the photographer’s problem to fix an issue when something happens but being flexible helps. 

A photographer’s work isn’t “done” when the lens cap is back on! 

The shoot might be ‘a wrap’ but a photographer’s work isn’t done! The first thing I do post-shoot is pack up the car (who needs the gym eh!). Something I learned whilst assisting in London is you load in the most expensive things into the car last, as they’re at greatest risk of being stolen! So cheapest things go in first, and things like gear & lights go in last! 

Once home, I like to unload the car, and then make sure all my files are backed up and labelled correctly. This is a step I never skip – no matter how tired I am! Then, once I know everything is safely loaded and backed up, I like to get some mental space from the job which means, if I can, I don’t look at the images again for another 24 hours. Getting some separation from my work is important. I like to come back to the images with a fresh perspective and a clear head to begin the postproduction process. Having this time away really helps me bring my creative best to my work and means that I’m always in the best frame of mind to bring my A-game. 

Keeping my own business buoyant means *always* checking in on what’s been happening whilst I’ve been on set. 

If it’s been a busy full day shoot, I usually check in with my marketing team and VA first to make sure everything in my own business is ticking over nicely. I triple check my deadlines and catch up with anything important from my team that’s happened whilst I’ve been away. Then I go through my emails and flag to-do’s for tomorrow or reply to anything urgent that evening. No matter what industry you’re in, it’s important to keep on top of your own business to-do’s as well as keeping to your clients’ schedules. Staying connected is important for business growth. 

One of my top tips for other photographers is to always make sure your Out of Office is on whilst you’re on a shoot. This means that prospective clients and emailers know there could be a period where you won’t be able to respond to them asap. No matter how busy you get, keeping your own business buoyant is vital! It’s these small but important details that can help keep your own business hustle strong! 

My post-shoot wind down helps me re-balance for the next day

Like my morning routine, my evening routine is just as meticulous! Food photoshoots require a lot of energy and following a long day on a shoot, my brain can’t take anything too strenuous! After being switched on and super focussed with the team (and client), I prefer to spend the evening relaxing and getting ready for the next day. I often avoid making plans with friends and instead like to have some quiet, reflective time at home. 

Usually, I’ll make dinner, walk the dog or do some exercise. I find it really important to stimulate my mind and my body away from work so whether I’m hitting the gym, doing some yoga or reading, I always try to add some wellbeing into my wind down routine. During the summer months I also watch something trashy on TV like Love Island! 

I couldn’t love my job more and I’m always up for the next challenge! 

Photography isn’t a *job* for me, it’s my passion. I get a kick out of producing work that helps clients’ creative dreams come true. Seeing their content perform well, whether it’s a social post, or a Sunday Times Best Selling Book is the best feeling EVER! 

I’ve worked with some amazing businesses and food brands and loved every minute. Being part of projects that have seen my clients’ businesses go from strength to strength and learning all about their lives, stories and passions is what keeps me buzzing about my day-job! 

Producing personality filled food photography and kick ass content is what motivates me every day. I can honestly say I’m never happier than with a camera (and cuppa) in my hand.