We had the good fortune of connecting with Bill Brady and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bill, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?

“Leap and the net will appear.” It’s a quote from “The Artists Way”

Many years ago I was working in an office as a marketing associate and was very unhappy.

I knew I wanted to become a professional photographer and did not have a clear path to do so.

I decided to quit my job and roll the dice. I have never regretted that decision.

Whenever I come to a crossroads in life  I rely on the quote, “Leap and the net will appear.” it usually works out

well for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been shooting food for over 20 years. I was fortunate to have apprenticed under Bill Helms a master Food photographer. When I was starting my career, photographers were still shooting film. I was classically trained as a photographer and had the great fortune of being able to transition from film to digital early on in my career. Learning the traditional principles and techniques of photography has helped me as a photographer. It is one of the attributes that separates me from most other food photographers.

I am not nostalgic for old school film and the cumbersome chemical process that is involved with shooting film. Knowing those techniques has really helped me hone my skills a photographer. Commercial food photography was always a challenge but when you had to adhere to the rigid rules of shooting film it was really difficult.
Having learned the traditional film process, I evolved very quickly as a result I was able to develop my skills with lighting & composition. This advantage enables me to make good choices as a photographer and not rely on the crutch that digital photography offers. In other words I like to make sure my photography, lighting and the other technical aspects are done in camera. Of course I love photoshop and use it to my advantage but I sincerely try to do it right in camera.

It’s easy to take pictures digitally and many of the technical obstacles of photography have been eliminated. This allow photographers to be really creative, however I feel that the training I received early in my career sets me apart from other food photographers.

I have photographed tens of thousands of images, I have done campaigns for clients ranging from start-ups and fortune 100 companies. I like to say to people “you many not know me but chances are you have seen my work”. One aspect of my work is shooting package photography. This is very precise and requires a special attention to detail. I shoot for advertising and often times photos need to be positioned in specific areas with copy. Just shooting random pretty photographs is great for stock photography or some web usage. Being able to work a photograph into a specific layout and make it look appetizing is where I excel. I have learned that art directors need extra room in a picture for bleed and the flexibility to maneuver the image around to get the precise cropping they want.

My job is fun, I get to play with food. It is also serious business. When you shoot a commercial photography campaign, there is a lot of money at stake. People depend on me to deliver a finished product. I have learned over the years to remove my ego from the equation and focus on getting the results my clients need. I will always offer an alternative viewpoint if I do not agree with the client’s choice but ultimately they are paying me to execute their campaign and I will always give them what they want. Often times I will execute a shot the way the client wants and then shoot an alternate image according to my vision or interpretation. It is always appreciated and often the client chooses my version when I submit the final edits.

The competition and the need for food photography has increased exponentially. There are so many food photography projects available today than when I started my career. There are also many more food photographers to choose from. I caution clients to choose a photographer with great care. Simply because someone has a great instagram feed it does not necessarily mean they can successfully deliver a commercial photography job. Knowing how to act in front of clients, treating support staff with kindness on set, being flexible and open to collaboration, being flexible when things don’t always go according to the plan and knowing how to solve a problem in real time are the qualities that determine a successful photo shoot. Not every photographer has the experience to deliver a job on budget, skill to produce a consistent result or the maturity to successfully execute a commercial job. I often say the difference between a professional photographer and someone who is striving to turn professional is consistently. A professional knows what the picture will look like before they take the photograph, a wanna be guesses. Sometimes they nail it, sometimes they don’t. When your job is on the line do you want to find out the hard way you made the wrong choice in hiring the wrong photographer.

Whenever I shoot food I ask this simple question, does this photo inspire me to want to eat or drink what’s in the picture? Using this as a litmus test has always guided me whenever I shoot food.

I love what I do, I used to work on big budget commercials when I was starting out and everyone was so unhappy on set. I decided that when I had my own shop I would create an atmosphere where people could enjoy their creative process, free from the negativity I experienced. I think I have done that.

What I would like people to know about my brand is that I care about my clients and have created and maintained relationships for many years. I have become close friends with many of my clients. I genuinely care about my work and how it can help clients sell their products or promote their brands. It’s important for me to stay fresh and keep pushing creative boundaries, never stop learning and most importantly have fun!


If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Barrows Intense Ginger Liquor Tasting Room Industry City Brooklyn, Ace Hotel 29th Street Manhattan, Arlo Nomad Hotel Rooftop bar


The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to shout out to my mentor Bill Helms who gave me my path, My wife Sasha who always believes and inspires me, and my daughter Jack who is a guiding light in life.

Website: https://billbradyphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billbradyphotography/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbradyphotography/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wfrancisb2003

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BillBradyphotography/

Image Credits
©BillBrady

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