When I first moved my business to Santa Cruz four years ago, Kianti’s quickly became one of my family’s favorite restaurants. They have a kid-friendly atmosphere (the kids each receive a hunk of pizza dough when you sit down), the service is prompt and courteous (they enjoy a very low turnover rate among employees), and on Friday and Saturday nights the most amazing sing-and-dance performance spontaneously occurs at dinnertime. All the employees, even the guys in the kitchen, participate in the choreographed event that changes every so often. It’s a lot of fun – and of course this place wouldn’t be a favorite if the food wasn’t amazing as well (which it is!).
Back when we first discovered this place, I sent a “cold-call” email to Tracy and Kelly, the two owners of Kianti’s – seeing if they could use any professional food photography. I didn’t expect to hear from them, I mean – who is this guy emailing out of the blue anyway (I didn’t)? Fast forward to a couple weeks ago when their former-employee-turned-event-planner Hollis was charged with throwing Kianti’s 10 Year Anniversary / Employee Appreciation Party. Hollis finds me online to photograph the event – and guess what, I’m now on the radar with these ladies. Needless to say, this is the beginning of what I know will be a fruitful relationship, full of yummy photos and great food – or is it the other way around? Regardless, I’m honored to be Kianti’s photographer, and look forward to amazing things to come. Here’s a few favorites from this morning’s food shoot – look for some of these on an upcoming menu redesign!
sausage, pepper, black olive pizza
cobb salad
pasta with peppers
meat lasagna
Italian Salad
zucchini, sun dried tomatoes, peppercini pepper pizza
bruschetta
flatbread appetizer with peppers
scramble with avocados
meatball sandwich
pasta with peppers
various dishes
cookie and ice cream
margaritas
cocktail
Kianti’s red and white house wine
various cocktails
drafts on tap
pouring a cold one
Looking for an on-location food photographer in Santa Cruz? San Francisco / Bay Area Commercial Food Photographer Chris Schmauch makes food look really yummy! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
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