THE DEN

More Fine Cooking by Carrie Purcell

Mary Dail — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:01:37 +0000

For those of you who don’t know Big Leo food stylist Carrie Purcell – where on Earth have you been? Carrie’s recent work for the August/September 2010 issue of Fine Cooking Magazine, joins her with the talented food and lifestyle photographer John Kernick whose entertaining shoot entitled Bites for a Summer Night showcases “acepipes” or Portuguese small plates. Not to be confused with tapas, these dishes are far more interesting and substantial and beautifully styled, of course.

In the same issue, her coolly-crafted food illustration opens for 10 Ways to Eat Less Meat shot by staff photographer Scott Phillips. You’ll be seeing a lot more from Carrie in the coming months with her contributions to Health, Prevention, The Nest, as well as Bertolli and Palmolive and whole slew of personal projects! To keep up with her amazing skills, check out the Pictures and Pancakes blog she rocks out with her photographer husband, Andrew Purcell. Happy (almost) August!

Flipping holidays

Mason Adams — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:00:32 +0000

In honor of our favorite weekend, here are some pictures to get your grill fired up for the meatiest day of summer. Shot by Quentin Bacon and propped by Scott Horne for the June issue of Health Magazine.

Besides Thanksgiving and Christmas, the only day Big Leo really takes off is the 4th of July, because it is pretty much the best holiday. And by best I mean, sunniest, most relaxed, outdoor, fireworks, charcoal, beach, all around most fun and laid back holiday there is. Hey what a coincidence, those are all qualities that our agency strives for…

9 stars

Mason Adams — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:17:06 +0000

When it comes to the annual issue of Food + Wine’s ‘Best New Chefs,’ you can be sure that the people chosen are experienced, hard working masters of their craft. Just take a look at James Syhabout, who created the recipe for the cover. His internships: The Fat Duck, Mugaritz, El Bulli, Alkimia. 9 Michelin stars right there. It’s a damn shame that they don’t give out stars to food stylists, because Susan Spungen would have at least that many.

Photo by the graceful Anna Williams.

Super Cool

Mason Adams — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:46:56 +0000

Scott Horne styled these images shot by the always-masterful Con Poulos. If you think that we’re posting too many pictures of ice cream, that we’re just marketing shills for your local ice cream truck driver, well, that could be true. Give me ice-cold payloa on a cone with sprinkles, ethics be damned. It is going to be 90 degrees every day this week, so make sure to cool off with these photos. Oh and eat some ice cream, too.

Hector Sanchez goes Bridal!!!

Mary Dail — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:00:51 +0000

For the July 2010 issue of BRIDES Magazine, Hector Sanchez shoots foodie-inspired wedding delicacies created by Danny Meyer’s Hudson Yards catering company (see story excerpt below). YUM!

Jim Bastardo – He’s the real thing.

Mary Dail — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:45:16 +0000

Photographer Jim Bastardo’s new Design Within Reach image featuring The 111 Navy Chair made of recycled plastic Coke bottles leaves us with a very interesting question: How did he sleep after drinking all that Coca-Cola?! All for a good cause, this chair is helping to keep 3 million Coke bottles out of landfills. Check out 111NavyChair.com to find out more about the production of this eco-llaboration between EMECO and Coca-Cola.

Personally, the Southerners in this office are waiting for the PEPSI chair, but we won’t hold our breath.

Sweet Memories

Mary Dail — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:03:41 +0000

Ever felt like a kid in a candy shop? You would if you were at our office today where we received a basket of vintage sweets reminiscent of the days of roller skates, skinned knees, and real arcade games like, Galaga, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong and Super Ms. Pac Man.

Pop Rocks, Bazooka, Charleston Chew, Jolly Ranchers, Good n Plenty, Pixy Stix, Big League Chew, Sugar Daddies, Fun Dip and yes even candied necklaces. It’s in there!

The candy came to Big Leo courtesy of an awesome client who spent the day shooting with our very own Björn Wallander, whose work and stellar demeanor simply inspire this sort of sweetness.

A Summer Big Leo Trio

Mary Dail — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:25:41 +0000

The onset of summer always brings with it thoughts of half-day fridays (if you’re lucky), vacations (also if you’re lucky), ocean breezes, flip flops, sweet iced tea, frozen fruity drinks and of course ICE CREAM (cue Mr. Softee jingle here)! It also happens to be our signature season over here at Big Leo. Inspired and armed with fresh blueberries, kiwi, peppermint, coffee beans, buttermilk, pistachios and more, food stylist Carrie Purcell made delicious ice cream treats that had us excitedly anticipating the very first 80+ degree day in the city. Photographed by Hector Sanchez, prop styled by Pamela Duncan Silver, and sampled of course by yours truly, the images are a perfect treat frozen in time. Just don’t look for too long or you might get brain freeze.

Since this story was shot there have been several 80+ degree days in the city – we look forward to what inspires the next Big Leo Trio!

Canvass

Mason Adams — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:08:00 +0000

In addition to working like a man possessed and keeping a high profile in most elite social circles on the planet, Scott Horne is contributing to a new blog called Canvass, curated by such style luminaries as Kendra Smoot, Johannah Masters, Betsey McLain, Sarah Conroy, and Callie Jenschke.

Should you be doing any shopping in NYC be sure to take a look here first for some great advice from the people who specialize in objects, colors, and spatial compositions. I mean yeah, everyone likes those kind of things, but for these people it is their job. You should see the stack of receipts Scott always drops on our desks like a ton of bricks. The man knows how to shop.

That’s so CHEESY!

Mary Dail — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:37:44 +0000

Recently, Big Leo photographer Andrew Purcell was commissioned to shoot images for a UK based international exporter of diary based products, ranging from cheeses, creams, to butters and créme fraîche. Here at Big Leo, we love cheese. And wine. And bacon! The list goes on…

As an inspiration for such delicious cheesy comestibles, we’ve composed a personal cheese montage straight from Andrew – and his food stylist wife – Carrie’s kitchen! The light and composition is sure to make anyone crave a little fermented curd!

In honor of his new promo – coming soon from a mail carrier near you – we’d like to share our favorite Monty Python sketch “The Cheese Shop”. Venezuelan Beaver Cheese anyone?