Behind-the-scenes: The food theme magazine cover shoot

A lot goes in to the making of our magazine covers, and this food photo shoot was no exception. The creative concept and photography were the brainchild of Steve Exum ’92 and his team, with the day-long shoot taking place at his studio in Elon, N.C. Food stylist Elizabeth Hensley was in charge of creating the look for each plate, which represents an individual story in the magazine.

Fall 2015 cover jpeg FINAL FINAL 9-24-15 A+S Fall 2015

 

 

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Food stylist Elizabeth Hensley prepares a papaya salad for the cover photo shoot.

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Photographer Steve Exum carefully arranges vegetables on a plate in preparation for shooting the magazine cover.

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Food stylist Elizabeth Hensley grills fish for one of many dishes being photographed for the magazine cover.

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The kitchen table is an array of fruits and vegetables in bright colors as food stylist Elizabeth Hensley works her magic.

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Photographer Steve Exum at work on the magazine cover in his Elon, N.C. studio.

Elon, NC - July 15, 2015 - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will come together at a common table when it examines food and food studies as its 2015-2017 university-wide academic theme. “Food for All: Local and Global Perspectives,” which builds on Carolina’s 2012-2015 “Water in Our World” focus on global water issues, will challenge all areas of the University to examine wide-ranging topics from food cultures and nutrition, to food security, world hunger, agricultural economics, resource management, sustainable development, climate change and international trade. Photography by Steve Exum. exumphoto.com [#Beginning of Shooting Data Section] Nikon D4 2015/07/15 16:49:27.50 Time Zone and Date: UTC-5, DST:ON Lossless Compressed RAW (12-bit) Image Size: L (4928 x 3280), FX Lens: 24mm f/2.8 Artist: STEVE EXUM Copyright: STEVE EXUM Focal Length: 24mm Exposure Mode: Manual Metering: Matrix Shutter Speed: 1/15s Aperture: f/14 Exposure Comp.: 0EV Exposure Tuning: ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100 Optimize Image: White Balance: Direct sunlight, 0, 0 Focus Mode: AF-S AF-Area Mode: Single AF Fine Tune: OFF VR: Long Exposure NR: OFF High ISO NR: ON (Normal) Color Mode: Color Space: sRGB Tone Comp.: Hue Adjustment: Saturation: Sharpening: Active D-Lighting: Normal Vignette Control: OFF Auto Distortion Control: OFF Picture Control: [NL] NEUTRAL Base: [NL] NEUTRAL Quick Adjust: - Sharpening: 2 Contrast: 0 Brightness: 0 Saturation: 0 Hue: 0 Filter Effects: Toning: Map Datum: Dust Removal: 2015/05/06 10:16:05 [#End of Shooting Data Section]

The creative team celebrates the end of a successful day-long shoot. From left, photographer Seth Combs, food stylist Elizabeth Hensley, magazine editor Kim Weaver Spurr, graphic designer Kelsey Morgan and photographer Steve Exum.