The theme for my "Meet the Makers" photographs is comfort food. I focused on food that is familiar to me, food I grew up eating and loving as a Mexican American – like beans, pastries, and gelatina.
Growing up, there was never a birthday party without gelatina. I had seen one of Alejandro Vazquez's masterpieces at my nephew’s birthday and had to find out more about this local artist.
My friend, Thea Whitsil of Wild Cat Clothing suggested I meet Connie Green, a local mushroom forager. I had just photographed mushrooms for my "Primavera Rota" (Broken Spring) series (currently on view at Bistro Sabor in Napa), so wanted to include Connie in this series too.
For a few of my "Meet the Makers" subjects, like Connie and Armando, I shot candid portraits. I went to visit with them and watched them do what they do - make creations out of dough or looking for mushrooms.
With Steve Sando, I had a specific studio idea - to shoot a portrait of him surrounded by his Rancho Gordo! heirloom beans.
Of course, growing up in Napa, I had known about Clemente Cittoni and his family's Itailan food at The Depot. It’s still a Napa comfort food institution, now located in Val's Liquors in Napa. You can still bring your own pot and they fill it up with malfatti to go. Clemente totally embraced me and now I can't even pay for my food when I go!
Portrait Subjects
Alejandro Vazquez
Jello Artisan
Assistant Pastry Chef, Rotisserie & Wine
Owner of Party Land-Rental party supplies
Armando Sierra
Head Baker, La Tapatia Market
Clemente Cittoni
Italian Food Cook
Connie Green
Owner, Wine Forest,
Mushroom Forager
Steve Sando
President & Founder,
Rancho Gordo New World Speciality Food
Contact
infinityvisuals.com
707.320.4263
Infinity Visuals, P.O. Box 10174, Napa, CA 94581
