The species Foodus Bloggerus is a peculiar creature. I know, because I feel distinctly peculiar most times. We march to the beat of our own drum (or more accurately the sound of food sizzling). When most people are enjoying their food, we’re taking close ups of it. So to understand this misunderstood creature, allow me to reveal 10 things you should know about this unusual creature, should you ever encounter us in the wild.
1. Be prepared to eat early. Like a reverse Vampire, we love the light as more light means better photos. Eating dinner at 4pm? Sure, no problem, the light will be good then. Similarly, you’ll also find us seated near the window more often than not as the light is better there and we only use Flash in extreme circumstances or in closed blogger-friendly company.
2. We’re shy and hate to be stared at, especially while we are taking photos. However if it’s something exciting, we retreat into a haze and snap away uncaring. That’s called the “Paparazzi Brangelina moment”, when we descend into a frenzy of snapping.
3. Most people react to romantic lighting positively. Not the food blogger. We will utter things such as “crap, not this moody, romantic lighting again. What about my photos!”. Because as you know, it’s all about the photos 
4. We love to share food. The equation is straightforward: the more food shared, the more food sampled and the more we can write about.
Hmm, how do I get the piece back in without them noticing?
5. If invited somewhere, we’ll usually bring something as it gives us an excuse to make something for our blog. However this is not catch free. A cake might have a slice taken out of it for photographic reasons although it may be put back into place. Try not to stare and pretend the piece wasn’t cut. Please. We feel weird enough as it is.
6. We love to choose where to eat out. Please let us choose – food is our life and we will painstakingly research places. We may also send through copious links and print out menus. It’s a compulsion. Just take them smiling and back away if you need to. Oh and trust us, the place may look weird/seedy but the food will be good.
Food-the ultimate gift
7. If you ever want to give a gift, give food. Something unusual, hard to get or exotic is wonderful. Or something fresh from your garden. We are easy to please. I swear I thought I wanted Choos until I got a roast rib of pork as a gift.
8. Dinner out with us in a restaurant is an experience. It can either go well and can be an interesting experience or it can go badly. Embarrassing sometimes if you aren’t used to the excessive photo taking. But it’s never boring. Badly is when a chef comes out to yell at us for taking photos or something similar. Good is when you get an extra dessert or when the chef comes out to say hello or explain how they’ve made something.
Yes we took pictures of the bread and butter…
9. If you dine with us, you’ll learn the art of patience. Yes we even want to photograph the bread and butter. Food is better a bit colder right? Or so we’d like to convince you.
10. It’s hard once you get into the habit, for us to not take photos of the food that we eat. I’ve only eaten out once and not taken a photo. And it hurt. Similarly, when I was watching an episode of Mad Men the other week, I was so engrossed in watching Peggy having dinner with her date and their drinks arrived and I wondered why she didn’t whip out a camera before drinking it and so my hand reached out to get my camera. Yes, it really did.
Tell me Dear Reader, do you have any other keen observations, either as a food blogger or an observer of one?
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159 Comments | Add your own
I agree with all except for #2. I ain’t shy honey!
I guess there’s always exceptions to the rule? Hehe.
Eating with a food blogger gives a new appreciation of food, though – once you get over the whole camera/photos thing
LOL – you hit the nail on the head
Classic post and I LOVE IT.
Too funny! I read this aloud to the husband, who has to put up with food going cold, servers coming up to check on me, me demanding to be seated by the window, always choosing the restaurants and ordering for everyone. I only eat with people who don’t mind dining with me and my camera…
I think my boyfriend is getting used to my cries of “wait, don’t eat that yet, I need to get a photo” when we’re eating out now. I haven’t quite mastered the art of sneaking the cake slice back into the cake after it’s been photographed!
Hear hear! I try taking photos at restaurants discreetly, I keep imagining people staring at me thinking about what weird foodie stuff i’m upto. After photo is taken, I tuck the camera away from the table. I’m sending this post to my non-foodie mates. Great post.
OMG… #5 is SO very true! I now view every social outing as an opportunity to cook something I can blog about. That cannot be normal??
I love the first photo. I have never seen such a table before. Well, I guess the food blogging thing is pretty thin on the ground up here in Brisbane. My current obsession is trying to figure out how to put everyone’s blogs into a reader so I can keep up with everyone’s fabulous posts. That’s a big one for me!
LOL – we’ll also often be the ones devouring the latest cookbook in Borders or lining up with 10 cookbooks to purchase (and we love them as gifts).
Some very astute comments! I suppose we’re a little like event photographers – except better, since we don’t go all flash-happy in people’s faces
I love this post! I can’t agree with you more on everything. My family looks at me as if I am weird when I whip my camera out while cooking or even during dinner or at restaurants. They are getting used to it… Great post!
If I ever come visit Sydney, I would love to have dinner with you! (ditto if you come to Brisbane – I know some great places!)
I don’t know any Brisbane Food bloggers – Any you can recommend?
Hahahahha… very true… I say others should just go with the flow and enjoy the benefits of us bloggers who love food
Haha this is so spot on. I laughed so much at the bread and butter photo taking (I was doing this just the other night). We also don’t like to go back to the same place too soon and order the same things because we’ve already blogged about it! (Unless it’s really really awesome of course)
Lol. Excellent ovservations! All true, especially the lighting one and learning to be patient when dining with a foodblogger! It is so hard not to photograph food (it’s weird when people start eating and don’t whip out a camera, isn’t it?!) Whenever I don’t take photographs, people are kind of relieved!
When Food is your religion, taking photos before you eat is like saying Grace!
Too funny! Number 5 is my favorite, I made a pie for a colleague but I also used it for my blog. I cut the slice but then felt bad bringing it into work so I sliced the entire thing up and only brought as much as could fit on a plate. Problem solved!
hahaha this is such an enjoyable post! food is indeed better slightly colder….
11. We get excited by little known or unusual offerings at the supermarket or gourmet store because it looks or sounds interesting…we think “hmmm I wonder what I could make with that”
Very enjoyable post:-)
Great post Lorraine! Fly the flag for all of us. I find some friends are more encouraging than others, some may merely be tolerant.
And what about taking notes during meals? I think there might need to be another note calling for patience and tolerance whilst we retreat from engaging conversation and scribble furiously. Can be awkward for dinners between just 2 people and may lead to partners yelling “pay me attention!”
I love this post, and I am guilty of quite a few even though I have yet to have my own blog (am working on it this summer though!). Number 10 was the funniest, haha. Brilliant.
Instead of eating at strange times, I just end up eating food that is not as piping hot, as I’m constantly trying to get nice photos in the terrible evening light. Boyfriend has gotten used to it by now and doesn’t come to the table till I’m done, haha.
Another thing I find I constantly do – whenever I try something nice at a restaurant, I somehow always end up thinking “now how could I recreate this at home?”.
Hilarious! Finally, I can make my non-blogging dining companions read this and hopefully they will understand.
I also get a bit upset when dining in a larger group and two (or more) people order the same thing, and its something boring like steak. Come on people, get adventurous! (I think I may also have control issues, but thats a different story)
Great post! I can so relate to it, but I am one of those slightly embarrassed bloggers who use a small camera and hide it under my napkin between courses.
It doesn’t stop me from changing my seat a couple of times, though, to ensure I ‘get good light’ – “OK, I’ll sit here. Oh wait, the light’s better next to the window. Oh, maybe I should sit under the light. Oh, can you tell the Almighty to make it daytime instead of night?”
It goes to prove you are so much braver than me. I keep bemoaning the photos I could have taken if I’d been a little courageous. (The wonderful woolly/noshy interior of a knit cafe, when all I can muster is a furtive snap of the shopfront and a quick jog back to the car.) You have inspired me to try a little harder . . . eh, soon!
I’ve noticed they are all THIN, how does that work? Makes me very jealous!!!
I get my friends to take pics of my cooking. a) I forget and b) I am a very bad photogrpaher, so am in awe of eating capabilites and amazing photographic skills of food bloggers.
Great post! I’m curious about the food blogging process – do you ever ask to take photos or prewarn a venue before you arrive? Or just happily snap away?
I specially identified with #5, I LOVE a good excuse to make something for the blog! And I’d add this to your list: bloggers have to find very pacient husbands!
You inspire me!
Photographers always seem to look more sophisticated if they have a lot of hair that they have to swish out of the way of the lens…swish snap!
LMAO! I LOVED this post, absolutely ADORED it. I fit into every catergory you mentioned about a food blogger, and guess what? PROUD of it!
That shot of everybody taking a pic of their food was a Kodak moment!
That first photo is hysterical.
So funny! Some of those are very true. For me, when I bring a food gift to someone I make something that I can slice ALL of so that no one is on to my secret
Until they read it online!
Ooh I love the David Attenborough take on this.
Excellent post and one to definitely share with those who don’t quite get it. Luckily Hubby does. 
I’m still a bit shy about taking pictures at restaurants. So much to learn! My kids and husband now make suggestions about things to make and ways to photograph. So it’s now a family affair.
Hilarious list: i online shop for unusual ingredients so i can cook & photograph results. Hubby asks “do you really need to buy that $70 bottle of Armagnac to make chocolate ice cream and by the way what is Armagnac?” My reply “you like what i cook u so dont ask the obvious!”
LOL oh yes the bane of romantic lighting!! And yellow. Stop it with the dim, yellow lighting! Ugh!
Awesome post
Don’t forget everyone needs to wait patiently for us to twist and rotate and move your cutlery around whilst we find the perfect angle for the shot we want.
Or the fact that we’ll be reaching half way over the table to take a photo of THAT DISH on the other side of the table. Sometimes they even have to pass the dish to you.
hehe good article. so true about the lighting and bread/butter hehe
Great post! I’m getting better when I dine with my fellow bloggers, I can now remember to not dig in immediately. As hard as it is to refrain from attacking the plate, I respect you all too much to ruin the subject before you’ve had a chance to snap away =]
I love this post! My family and friends are slowly getting used to the fact that I must take a photo of the food before people start eating! But I think I still need to refine the art of patience because I’m sometimes so eager to dig into my own food that I forget to take photos!
agree
We really are a breed unto ourselves, aren’t we?
I still have a problem with taking pictures when we eat out, though. It’s so embarassing to have everyone else at the restaurant staring at me!
LOL, that’s so true!!! Pork roast, what a great gift! Our passion for food and photography might make us act like divas, but apart from that we are “normal” people ;-P…
Cheers,
Rosa
very true..just yesterday had a family lunch outside, with the kids making a ruckus didn’t realize I hadn’t taken a picture!…when the plates were empty I was so sad that none were clicked!..LOL
Oh, so true, soo true! Your #5 is funny because I so often encounter that moment. I always wondered how other bloggers solve the problem of the one missing cake slice! You’re great.
hahaha..its so so true ! yeah, 1 time I went out to have dinner and found out that I forgot my camera (which is very rare), I felt so uncomfortable and frustrated..haha
And now every friends of mine know that I have to take picture of the food first.. even my 6-year old-niece in Thailand, now she loves to take photos of the food cuz she always see I do that when I am with her
Also I am laughing at your post when I read ”Badly is when a chef comes out to yell at us for taking photos ”.. I just went to the cafe last week..and very scared to let me see when I took photo so I asked the waitress first, she said actually can’t but if its for me, its ok. lol
I do feel a bit upset when I realise that I have forgotten my camera or don’t have enough time to charge it before I head out…food needs to be photographed in addition to being eaten…hehe…
Hahaha, hilarious post and so recognizable!! I’m so sending this post in an email to my friends!!
Best. Post. Ever.
You guys really are a funny breed – but endearing and lovable at the same time
I don’t know what I would do without the recommendations of all the food bloggers out there. Definitely more reliable and honest than any other reviewer so I can always count on my favourite blogs to come up with the goods.
Thank you for this – I’m going to share it with my friends and family who look at me oddly when I whip out my camera at dinner!
haha, so funny! I find eating with family works best as they all understand the obsession and don’t mind a stray fork digging into their plates. We went to the New Shanghai in Chatswood recently and all the plates had to go pass the nominated photographer before anyone could eat!
I declare that I’m guilty as charged on all ten counts!
Lorraine this is hilarious…but oh so true!
Hub can’t agree more…although I do prevent myself from clicking pic outside( yes! I do have the strength to refrain, but plz don’t outcast me, food is my religion ;p) …..at home hub teases that I make food only for the camera. lol
That first photo is priceless!
Very funny and true…
Very good! Numbers 4 and 9 are especially true for me.
Great list – I recognise a lot of myself in this – and I think a lot of food bloggers have very patient partners who are used to waiting for the photo before eating
I love the first picture! it is hilarious! But very true!!!
Bravo! this is well said and well done! I loved it from the begining!! it totally cracked me up !!
Reaching for your camera for food on TV?! You have got the bug badly! I do agree that food is a great gift – it never gathers dust.
Oh,what a wonderful list to wake up to.
agree with your observations! can i add that food blogging is contagious – the number of foodbloggers is growing!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA this is cracking me up LOL and I might be slowly turning into one.. with my new camera…
Hee hee nicely put! But no. 4? I prefer to order one of each dish
oh lorraine, this is too funny. of course i know exactly what you mean; however, i haven’t yet reached the comfort zone in taking pictures of restaurant food. the whole slice-out-of-the-cake phenomenon is something with which I’m quite familiar.
spot on.
What a brilliant post! This is hilarious, and so true! Now my husband is used to waiting at least 15 mintues after I’m done cooking so he can eat his meal!
Love this post! and it empowers me to actually take more photos of some of the things I have made/seen.
What a lovely post, Lorraine!!
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha,…
I cracked up when i saw the first picture. It’s sooo hilarious yet soooo real! One got to be either a foodblogger or scrapbooker or both
Thank you for sharing!
Hilarious and so true. I am one of those new food bloggers and am quickly becoming obsessed with it. My husband is quickly learning #9.
LOL LOL Lorraine.. I love this:-) well there are a lot of good points.my kids have learnt patience:-)
they also find it weird when food comes to the table without photographed.
family is constantly reminding me while i cook to use it as a post… Oh Lorraine your slice of cake! My family was amazed to see a picture of a slice of strawberry pie after we had guests over the weekend & they later i was editing pictures. i tucked it back as if never touched pretty well:-) This was a great post!
Great article Lorraine! The stuff you have written is so true! I am still shy about taking my camera out at restaurants but my attitude is slowly changing! I always complain about the “mood lighting” as it makes photography hard!
yay, food bloggers unite! we are all like that… each in our own unique way of being obsessed with food and picture-taking. we also loove compliments =)
Love that photo of cameras around the table!
But you’re right, one of the most important things to exercise around food bloggers is patience. My friends know dinner REALLY starts five minutes after it hits the table.
reading your cafe ivy story, you got a CARD??? what kind of card? can i get one? hehehe
‘Foodus Bloggerus’ is a term we should be adding on wikipedia now….
loved your post so much that I put it out on my blog after adding 3 more characteristics of the entity ‘Foodus Bloggerus’
10 + 3 Things You Should Know About Food Bloggers
I agree with all except for #2. We’re just not shy anymore
If I ever come visit Sydney, I would love to have dinner with you and if you ever visit New Delhi… My door are wide open for you
The Variable – Nachiketa
haha, this is utterly fantastic. Especially the part about gifting cakes with missing pieces. I chuckled!
Katie xox
My family, room-mate and boyfriend are at war with me…..they’re literally ready to bite me considering I let their food go cold by the time I’m done with my photography!
Spot on. When people travel out of the country, I given them lists of ingredients to bring back for me. I’m not shy about requests at all. But, I still want my Choos!
And when I like food at a restaurant (and sometimes when I don’t), I generally have no qualms about asking to speak with a restaurant owner or chef. I’ve been doing this since before being a foodblogger.
Wonderful post – thank you!
Hi Christie-but darling, there’s no photo of you on your blog!
Hi Laura-Hehe that’s very true!
Some people take much longer to get over the camera thing!
Hi catty-Hehe thankyou so much!
Hi Helen-Yes I agree, luckily my friends don’t mind although there are one of two husbands of friends that still don’t get it!
Hi Lisa-Hehe that’s great! Some friends and family automatically wait which is really nice. I don’t feel like I need to do any wrangling. I think it’s near impossible. Just slice it up and pretend it was meant to be sliced up
Hi kip-Hehe luckily in touristy places ourists tend to take pics so I get pegged as a tourist
Thankyou so
much!
Hi SarahKate-Yup I love it when friends have parties! And they like it when we bring something so it’s win win right?
Hi Julia-It was a funny one! I sometimes look up and see everyone and realise what everyone else must see!
Hi Cakelaw-Haha yes that’s true too! I wonder if I could have made it 20 things:lol:
Hi Chris-Haha yes that’s true! Unless there’s dim lighting of course
Hi Kamran-Thankyou so much!
Hehe yes before long they’ll beused to it like mine 
Hi Tara-Sounds like a great idea!
There’s Julia from Melanger and Cakelaw above and I’m sure some others which
will come to me any moment now!
Hi Anita-Yes trust us!
Hi Steph-Thankyou!
Hehe well we never know if it’s going to be exvceptional bread and butter 
Yes it’s hard
to go to the same place twice!
Hi Betty-Thanks so much! Yes the lighting, that damn romantic lighting! Arrgh! It is strange just to start eating without whipping out a camera. I feel naked without it! Aww really?
Hi Kyle-Ahh I like your way of thinking!
Hi Meg-Ahh great minds think alike! Besides it’s not like we can eat everything that we make!
Hi Trisha-Thankyou very much!
Yes it doesn’t birn the tongue!
Hi Wizzy-Haha yes very true. I love supermarket shopping!
Thankyou!
Hi Forager-Thankyou!
Hehe yes some of my friends were on board from the beginning whereas some took a bit more convincing but are now on board 
I don’t tend to take notes so much…unless there’s something unusual being made
or something I can’t spell. But yes it’s not romantic to do that is it!
Hi Su-yin-Ahh sounds like you’re a blogger in the making!
It’s true, I really did reach for my camera. Which says how into Mad Men I am or how into blogging I am 
Ahh good! Then you don’t have to rush taking the pic 
Ahh yes that’s very true!
Hi lili-Haha great! Yes there’s some quirks to us but I like to think we’re good dining companions right?
Oh yes people do do that. My favourite sentence? “You order for us” 
Hi Belle-Thankyou!
Haha well it sounds like you’re well onto your way to getting a big SLR no? 
You get great
pics from your camera though! Yes I love daylight savings time!
Hi caro-I don’t know if I’m crazy or brave
I suspect the former combined with obsessive 
Oh that sounds
amazing! I’d love to go somewhere like that!
Hi Megan-I don’t know!
Aww no there are no such things as a bad photographer if you have an SLR! 
Hi Lauren -Thankyou! It depends on the place really. Most of them don’t mind if you ask!
Hi Paula-Hehe yes! It’s exciting when there’s an event! Yep very patient spouses that’s for sure
Hi Ani-Aww thankyou!
Haha really? I thought that was the model? I’m missing out on a technique! 
Hi Sophia-Thankyou so much!
Haha yes that was a very funny moment indeed 
Hi leslee-Hehe thanks!
Hi maris-Haha yes although I guess they forgive you for making them something!
Hi Min Ai-Thankyou!
Yes as long as the nearest and dearest get it, that’s what counts! 
Hi Barbara-It’s quite intimidating at first I admit. Although it seems more common nowadays, especially in high end restaurants where people want to take a memory of their meal. Aww that’s lovely that they’re so behind you!
Hi Suziwong66-Thankyou!
Yep that too I agree. Haha need he ask? Of course you do! 
I like your answer too 
Hi Karen-Oh yes it’s terribubble isn’t it! Oh the worst is red lighting. Have you ever encountered that? It’s awful! Thankyou!
Hi SoRMuiJAi-Hehe yes angles are very important!
I get people to pass it to me. Some dear friends will help me
rotate the plate too! I love those friends
Hi Simon-Thanks!
Hi Lis-Thankyou!
Aww that’s great! I get quite upset at people that can’t wait. I mean it only takes 30 seconds! 
Hi Jacq-Thanks so much
It just takes time I think! Aw no, that happened to me once 
Hi Vivien-Thanks!
Hi Aparna-Hehe we are!
Yes it can be hard. That’s why I love booths too. They’re comfortable and offer some protection 
Hi Rosa-I was so delighted!
Yes we’re normal underneath it all! 
Hi Srivalli-Thanks! Oh no what a shame!
Hi lisa-Thankyou! Yes just slice it up or if it’s friends that know it will be on the blog, they usually understand
Hi Ja-Thanks so much!
Oh no, that must have hurt! Yes frustration is a good word for it, esp. if it’s a good meal! Aww that’s so cute! 
Oh really? 
Hi Alexandra-Yes if it happened to me I think I’d have to go home!
Yes like the analogy of a tree falling in a forest, a meal isn’t eaten unless it’s photographed 
Hi Marthe-Thankyou so much! That’s great!
Hi Esz-Hehe thankyou Esz!
Aww cool, you are too kind! That’s great and I’m so glad that you like the recs! 
Hi Fiona-Hehe great! Hopefully they won’t think we’re such a strange breed then
Hi Moya -Thankyou! Yes my family get it pretty quickly (except for my dad
). Haha great stuff!
Hi Midge-hehe that’s great! Great minds think alike huh?
Hi Navita-Thankyou so much! That’s fair enough, it cna be hard to take pics outside!
Hi MsGourmet-Thankyou!
Hi msmarmitelover-Thanks!
Hi azahar -Hehe that’s great! Yep I think those are so true!
Hi Johanna-Yep kudos to patient partners indeed!
Hi Orla-It’s often funny to stop and look up and see fellow bloggers doing their thing!
Hi ROOM design studio-Thankyou so much!
Hi Arwen-I know! I was totally absorbed
Yep it’s always well received 
Hi Chou-Hehe thankyou!
Hi Panda -Thanks! Haha yes that’s true! The more the merrier
Hi Yas-Hehe thankyou!
Yes you are a totally full blown food blogger! 
Hi FFichiban-Really? I’d do that but I don’t think my friends would like the bill!
Hi grace-Thankyou!
Ahh yes I totally understand, that can be hard! Haha yes or you could just make individual ones!
Hi Faith-Thankyou!
Hehe aren’t they wonderfully patient these spouses? 
Hi JennyMac-Thanks so much! That’s great!
Hi Sophie-Thankyou very much!
Hi Juliet-Yep totally unstaged food bloggers uncovered
You’re welcome! 
Hi Akila-Ah that’s great and welcome to the crazy world of food blogging!
Hi Soma-Thankyou! Ah great that’s is a good quality to lean!
Hehe isn’t that cute! Wow, you are so clever to be able to tuck it back in! 
Thankyou!
Hi Rilsta-Thanks very much! Yes it will change I’m sure. Once you get used to it
Yes doesn’t mood lighting suck! 
Hi The Food Addicts-YAY! Yep we just want to be loved!
Hi Brittany-Thankyou! Yep as long as they know it ahead of time it shouldn’t really be a problem right?
Hi sydneyguyrojoe-I’m not sure what you mean? I didn’t get a card?
Hi Nachiketa-Hehe like the word “Bootylicious”!
Thankyou so much! 
That sounds like a great idea! 
Hi katie-Thankyou so much! Hehe I’ve done it so many times
Hi Amrita-Oh really? Awww what a shame! Perhaps they’ll come around with time?
Hi Zahavah -Thankyou! I do that with family but not so much with friends (yet!). Hehe well I can’t say I give up the shoes
That’s great to hear! 
You’re welcome!
Very good post – very relatable about the photographing the food thing and the light especially!
I LOVED this post. Hilarious and SO true. Well done!
Classic post!
I particularly like #6, it’s so true for me. Happily my input tends to result in a good restaurant choice, but I always make the choosing a more complicated process than may be entirely necessary! (“OK, so this place is RAVED ABOUT but doesn’t take bookings so we might not get a table, and this other place has fantastic food but the kitchen closes really early” etc etc etc) complete with multiple links and googlemaps and menu pdfs.
Hooray for the rest of you who are this particular brand of crazy too
If I have 5 – 7 of those traits does that just plain make me a foodie?…Then again I’m a food blog follower…
Hysterical post! The part about a food blogger bringing something to the party, but with a piece cut out of it? SO TRUE! I couldn’t stop laughing!
LOL!! So true. I asked for a pig once for Christmas.
Although I have never drug my camera to a restaurant. To much work but the food to a party totally me.
this is great
Oh, this is funny. What a fun life for us and our friends. You hit some of those points right on the head!
I completely agree. I am even a bit too shy. When taking pictures at a restaurant, I post lookouts for the waiter.
totally funny and hysterical….thank you. made me laugh.
Love the first picture!! and a great post! Glad to know that I’m not the only weird one.
While I disagree with #2 and the shy factor (because shyness varies from person to person), I do agree with the rest of them. I especially like number 5!
I love the first photo.
I would say not all of these apply to me, as a food blogger who does not eat out much (though that’s mostly based on location, after I move and once I can afford it I may start taking photos all over the city). I also am most creative at night but that suits my pastry-based inclinations. I love that with most pastries I can make it and then leave it in the fridge (or freezer!) until I feel like photographing/eating it the next day. I do get very moody on especially cloudy, blah days because I know my pictures will turn out awful and flat.
commenting to try and get it up to 100!
I couldn’t agree more, I think I will fwd this to all of my friends!
It does feel weird to eat out and not take photos. My friends now know to wait for the photos to be taken before they can dig in
I have never served a piece of cake with a slice taken out and put back in again, but now i know others do it, I might do it too!
x
I still feel mildly embarrassed when taking photos, and have expect someone to abuse me. A few times we’ve been asked why we’re photographing the food, but when I explain they are always fine about it. No one has ever given us anything for free, but I live in hope!
My husband always says he knows when dinner is ready, he can hear the camera clicking!LOl
Love the post!
Great article! I am totally guilty of asking to bring stuff to a party just so I can blog about it
Very funny article, I get excited when people give me food as a gift too!
Fabulous post! Reminds me of:
“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating”. ~Luciano Pavarotti
Even my 5 kids and hubs wait until all the photos are taken before digging in to a meal. I like to think of that pause around the table, as Mum snaps away merrily, as the Food Blogger’s Family version of Grace.
No shame here, agreed with all in your list
Another comment to add to the list.. Fantastic post! I can relate of course. Wouldn’t be a true food blogger if I didn’t
what a great piece! I laughed through the whole post, reminded me of myself and others I know
Make that 11: food bloggers are the ones twittering at the table too.
But No.2? Seriously you’re shy? I think not, it’s the people sitting around while you take the pics that are embarrassed and shy of the other diners attention. We’re used to it now and it’s like water of a duck’s back.
I fear my children will grow into adulhood, leave home, and starve because the have been trained not to eat until the pictures are done.
Too funny! I am so guilty of the missing cake slice
Just reading your post on CAFE ISH, where you showed them your business card, (sorry a little of topic but it was a link on this page) what kind of business card do you have>? you got a food bloggers business card?
Woo hoo #105! Great post Lorraine! All shamefully true. Guilty as charged!
I think most dinner guests will always have at the back of their mind whether I’m gonna be toting the big camera along now! Unless said dinner guests were fellow blogger friends then there is no question!
Brilliant list….and so true!! Had a good laugh this morning thanx!Im a proud flag bearing foodus bloggerus!!
)
Wonderful post, thanx so much
xxx
My husband is obsessive about taking photos of food. We were in Paris and he ran out shots in his digital camera. He erased romantic photos of us in our hotel room with a view of the Eiffel tower so he could take more food photos.
Hi Not Quite Nigella,
I adore your blog!! We would like to feature you in our World Blog Series, if you’re interested, please mail me!!
Hi Jane-Thankyou! Yes I’ve become obsessed with light!
Hi emily-Thanks so much!
Hi Conor-Thanks!
haha yes that’s so food blogger isn’t it! 
Yup but we mean well don’t we? 
Hi amy-Hehe the next step is for you to start a blog!
Hi Teanna-Thankyou! Hehe we’ve all done that at least once haven’t we!
Hi Jeff-Oooh did you get it? How cool is that? And did you bring the pig to a party?
Hi justcooknyc-thankyou!
Hi The Duo Dishes-Thankyou! yes I hope that my friends find it fun
Hi Sheila-thanks!
Yes I used to do that too! 
Hi Joanne-thankyou so much!
Hi pigpigscorner-Thankyou! I think we’ve all the same kind of madness here
Hi Memoria-I don’t know a lot of food bloggers that put their pics on their site though. Thanks!
Hi anna-Yes this is a list for those of us that do both (although some only do one or the other). Ahh you do your pastry baking at night? yes I hate grey days! What terrible light and it always gets dark so quickly!
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Haha thankyou! Aw what great friends!
Oh yes you want to get the slice so you can show what it’s like inside too 
But then there’s the explaining of why there’s a piece cut out… 
Hi MrsDesperate-Aww no! Well that’s good then. it’s when they have a problem with it that it is no good
Maybe one day! 
Hi megan-LOL really! He knows the score! Thankyou
Hi Deseree-thankyou! Yes a party is an excuse to bake isn’t it
Hi Sweet Libertine-Thankyou! hehe yes it’s a great gift as it’s practical too!
Hi kitchenmonki-Thanks so much! Ahh a wise man indeed!
Hi pg-That’s great of them!
Haha I love that! 
Hi Howard-there should be no shame!
Hi Y-thankyou! Yes and I’m sure your friends are more than happy when you produce those cakes!
Hi Kristen-Thanks so much! Hehe yes we are a funny, odd bunch aren’t we!
Hi Ed-haha I don’t twitter at the table (yet!). I meant the group photos-they’re all taken of the backs of our heads!
Hi marye-LOL that is funny! But they’ll learn how to cook marvellous things!
Hi Jillian-Yes as long as friends understand -and they have to I guess!
Hi sydneyguyrojoe-I have a regular sized business card with my name, email address and phone number on it and some pictures on the other side
Hi Karen-thanks so much! Yes friends are used to it by now I think which is good!
Hi browniegirl-Thankyou very much! Yes foodus bloggerus are a wonderful species!
xxx
Hi angela-LOL that is so funny!
Awww did you mind at all? Is he a food blogger? 
Hi Caro-Thanks so much!
That sounds great 
Aw, I guess I’m still far behind to follow you guys. I though food blogger should have a great camera like DSLR at least and a photoshop?
Even my husband is in on this without realising! He hasn’t read your blog, or probably even know food bloggers are out there, but when I made a yummy pizza the other night,before we sliced into it,he got out his phone to take a photo to show the guys at work the next day. Like a proud dad! And then last night’s roast beef was captured from exiting the oven to plating up. He’s done this for years, especially when we are on holidays and we’ve had a great meal, to brag to absent mates. They’re everywhere!
hello there! well said, I agreed with all your points, because that’s me too
another one missing…when we eat out and spotted a nice plate/bowl/spoon…we’d ask the server “where do i get these babies?” (thinking they’d be nice as photo props at home)
does your busines card just say your a food blogger??
Hi Lilia-You’d be surprised! Not all of them have an SLR and/or photoshop
Hi Fiona-Haha sounds like he’s a food blogger in the making!
Would you want him to become one? Although sounds like he’s already doing most of it already! 
Hi ladyironchef-Thankyou so much! That’s great to know
Hi mochachocolatarita-Haha! I haven’t done that (yet!) but I have admired plates etc
Hi sydneyguyrojoe-It says quite a lot including that!
Oh, my! You described me to a T. Fantastic entry and I’ve shared it both to my Facebook as well as my blog. Hopefully now, thanks to you, others will understand us food bloggers better.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Christao-hehe cool!
I hope that it helps them understand us better 
Hi Rez- Thanks!
How about questioning the waiter as to the whats and hows of what you have just eaten and then, unhappy with their answer, sneaking into the kitchen to question the chef directly?
Sorry this post is probably very old but I’m going through your site and this post made me laugh because it’s so true. I’m not a food blogger but I love taking pics of food too so it was hilarious reading your pointers.
Hi Briedwithfood-Haha yes that’s a goodie! And being annoyed that they can’t answer your questions or conversely being very happy when they are as enthused about the food when you are!
Hi Elsie-Hehe thankyou so much! Perhaps you’re a future food blogger?
Hi Lorraine
Not shy (have long given up being subtle) but definitely agree with the constant photo-taking, the compulsive quest for restaurants and finding any reason to make/bake something.
As an extension to that and paying a price for all the free food, when you sample our labours of love, we will likely want to deconstruct the entire experience. So no, a simple “mmm that was delicious” will not suffice.
Play along and tell us which flavours you liked, why the frosting needs tweaking, and which ingredient/technique would have cinched the deal. Personally, I welcome any sort of feedback, positive or otherwise. I can take it! (Have had many disasters amongst the triumphs in my foodie adventures..)
Just my two cents. I liked this list
Jenn
That was a hialrious post Loraine..could totally relate..:D..my first time here..:)..what a great space..:)
I love, love, love this post. Thanks for putting into words what I’ve been noticing and pondering since I started blogging and taking food photos just a few short months ago. Your photos, by the way, are wonderful. Great blog!
Jane
Hi Jenn-Hehe that’s so true. A simple “that’s nice” is really not sufficient is it?
A thorough dissection is necessary 
Hi varsha-Wonderful! Thankyou so much
Hi Jenn-It’s amazing how much we all have in common!
Thankyou very much! 
Wonderful post! I found you through the Guardian…where have I been? I’m converted. I got to shoot plates at the James Beard Foundation for about 7 years, so it’s a habit I can’t give up, though now it’s strictly for the blog.
I will stay tuned. I love the group shoot!!!
Carolg
Hi Parisbreakfast-Thankyou so much!
Hehe I understand, once you get started, it’s hard to stop! 
Thanks again!
you have hit the nail on this one. my parents can’t stand me taking photos when were going out for dinner and lunch. hope they understand soon xD
Hi grub-Awww perhaps they will come to get used to it? I’m sure they will!
This is awesome! I actually made hubby bring me my camera tonight to take pictures, had my hands ohey/gooey and made HIM take pictures! 100% agree!
Hi Crystal-that’s wonderful to hear and good on him!
HI Nigella,
I have just started food blogging and have already encountered some grumps- i.e. one man accusing my of going into competition to him. I have to say, you dealt with it really well, but I am a little more easily offput. Any tips for dealing with grumpy staff/chefs/restaurateurs? Have you had bad experiences often?
What a classic post!! I laughed so much while reading cause I can totally relate to what you’re saying… I currently do my food blogging on FB but planning to start a proper food blog next year. My family and friends are so used to me taking photos of food before we eat no one ever touches any food without asking if I’m done =P
I love your food blog by the way and wish I had discovered it sooner.
Hi, NQN
first, I love your name, I love Nigella too and I like this post, love the first photo, so funny and on #9.. my youngest can’t understand why I have to take photos of our food and why he has to wait.:0
Your observation about trying to fit the slice back in without anybody noticing cracked me up. Just yesterday I was trying to explain why something I brought for her to eat looked like someone had been eating on it already.
I love taking photos of my food
or pretty much everything else 
It doesnt exactly bother me when people stare 
You have a wonderful Blog and the more I read, the more I enjoy it. I would like to start a food Blog, but not even sure where to begin. My photography does not even come close to yours, nor does my camera. I do the things that many do. I take photos around 4pm here. Dinner waits for photos, but I am not in the habit of taking regular photos and do not like flash photography. I know this will get addicting, as photography has always been a passion, but I have a lot to learn.
This is wonderful! We roared at the photograph of the table of bloggers photographing the food! I think you really hit it on the head. I’m new to the world, but already I have bad dreams about food prepared and not photographed.
lol, I like your photo. Oh snap! it’s so true. One rule you need to follow when you eat out with food blogger is…wait! Food blogger tends to take gazillion shots before they start to eat.
Very funny! gives us more of these articles! We love to make fun of ourselves too!
By the way, talking about giving food away, I am doing a giveaway with some goodies given to me while in Lebanon, in case you’re interested!
I just found your page – through a long, and convoluted web trail, please don’t ask me how! – and love it.
I am not so bad as to take photos in restaurants yet, and it never occurred to be to me that you could photograph a slice of something and then still give it to a friend. Wish I’d thought of that today when I made red velvets!
So funny to read this – I’m only just realising now that I’m a ”species” and that there are more of me out there. It’s comforting.
this is totally hilarious!
I want a food blogger as a friend!! I’d be the perfect companion, I’ll try anything!!
Lorraine! you just cured my afternoon slump with your “confessions”posts! So glad to have stumbled on it – and I am so happy that someone has openly validated that what I go through with my friends and family is infact normal behavior!
Absolutely hilarious! I’m sharing this with my friends, let them know I’m not the only one like I am
this is hilarious!
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