Brent Herrig’s first job in New York City could best be described as a scene from “The Devil Wears Prada.”
“There’s a lot of personality that goes on,” Herrig says, reminiscing on his intense start in the world of fashion photography. “I quickly realized that I wasn’t the most fashionable person in the world, and I didn’t really care a lot about it, either. You have to be in the know for the fashion industry to be part of it.”
Herrig (’07 art and design) was the editor and photographer for Trend magazine at Iowa State. The hands-on experience helped prepare him to be a professional photographer.
He spent three years perfecting his craft in the Fashion District. Learning complex lighting setups and handling $40,000 cameras, he gained the confidence and skill set to venture out on his own.
“A friend of mine asked if I could shoot the menu for his pop-up restaurant that he did once every week,” Herrig recalls. “I was like, ‘Yeah, sure. How hard can shooting food be?’ And then I realized it’s really hard! But I was good at it.”
This opportunity was the start of a newfound passion for food and cocktail photography. Brands like Belvedere, Moët, Hennessy, and Pepsi have all called on Herrig to showcase their products.
Photo shoots have introduced Herrig to many of the world’s best chefs. He collaborates with each to create abstract portraits with their favorite spoon alongside the ingredients and elements that inspire them in a project he calls “Spoonfuls of Inspiration.” In total, he has photographed more than 80 chefs and plans to turn the series into a book.
“We’re using the spoon as an extension of themselves and the food as an expression of style and who they are,” Herrig says.