Ian Batchelor, Auckland, New Zealand food photographer, creates mouth-watering images that make viewers hungry. Ian says his photographs make him hungry too; but fortunately, he gets to eat the subjects after each shoot. Rarely, does he doctor-up the dishes, like many food photographers do to enhance its appeal, so the delicious cuisine may be safely consumed afterwards. This is one of the rewards of his job.
Ian began his career as a still life photographer, which naturally progressed to shooting food. At a time in New Zealand when most photographers were generalists, and accepting a variety of jobs, Ian began deliberately turning down assignments that did not fit the profile of his goals. In fact, he was one of New Zealand's first specialized photographers.
More Magazine was one of his first regular clients, requesting three to four food images every month to illustrate articles for the food editor, Julie Biuso. Later, Biuso worked for Cuisine Magazine and Ian's association carried-over to that publication, which lead to other food clients, such as: Heinz; Nestle; Cadbury; McDonald's and KFC. In 1999, he worked with Julie Buiso once again to create the popular cookbook, "Take a Vine-Ripened Tomato," published by New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd. This book won The Best Mediterranean Cuisine Book award at the World Cookbook Awards at Versailles in 1999.
New Zealand has a small, uncertain economy, tied mainly to the export business. Consequently, professional photographers don't get rewarded as well for their efforts, as in other parts of the world, according to Ian. "Photographers have to work hard and be innovative to make it here," Ian says. "However, the main reward is the New Zealand laid-back, relaxed lifestyle. It's a very enjoyable place to live."
Ian shoots food for his clients, but for himself, he enjoys photographing rot. "Rot possesses character and is more lasting than food," says Ian. "Age strips away the gloss of youth, which is transient. I have a whole science project of maturing images in waiting---fused vegetables, drying slowly and gaining texture. An exhibition is a hopeful outcome for these images."
Ian was given his first Kodak box Brownie camera at the tender age of six. The first portrait he ever shot was of his father.Until he was eighteen, Ian lived in several countries, including Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore and England. Then, he attended Ealing School of Photography in London for three years. After college, Ian assisted three different advertising photographers in London, which was excellent training, and helped crystallize what he learned in college. All the while, he was shooting still life for advertising and editorial work for magazines, and sharpening his imagemaking skills. In 1985, he moved to New Zealand, his wife's homeland, and opened a studio specializing in still life, which eventually lead to food.
Through the years, Ian has won 20 awards from New Zealand Professional Photography Associations. In 1996, he was chosen as the New Zealand Advertising Photographer of the Year.
