Jun 20

Jun 20 Photographic Alphabet: I is for Isabella Cassini

By Tyler Austin

Isabella Cassini is a visual artist originally from Los Angeles but now works in both Portland, Oregon and New York. Cassini has taken a fresh new spin on what it means to be a food photographer with her use of color, lighting and placement.

Her series Kaleidoscope showcases food in a color scheme and pattern that resembles the optical instrument of the same name. The still lifes usually are comprised of fruits and vegetables with their leaves. The entire scene makes for an image that is unlike many that exist in the world of food photography. She uses color and texture in her photography by using every part of the food instead of simply staging it on a plate. Particularly in these photos, she presents the produce as more than an edible resource, as something to admire.

Kaleidoscope plays on human senses that food interacts with, while the typical response would be wanting to have a taste, she exhibits how food in their natural form can be both pleasing to the eye and to the tastebud. The careful inclusion of the flowers and leaves that are found surrounding the produce nods to the aromatic intrigue they can have. She captures a playful romanticism of food found in the soil, that may otherwise be missed with typical processed food photography.

You can see more of Cassini's work on her website here.