THE DEN » Aquarius

Perfectionism

Mary Dail — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:30:17 +0000

Hilary Robertson styled this wonderfully symmetric cover for Elle Decor, shot by unwavering William Waldron. It really is astounding just how much the image was shot to match the design of the cover. I just picture them with the cover overlay up on the screen, managing the tiniest details and chosen asymmetries, like the bag on the floor next to the desk and the way the artwork on the shelf mirrors the copy on the left side of the page. And then the way that the cover logo is perfectly framed by the ceiling with the columns providing an additional frame. This is just the most fantastic example of great teamwork, patience and perfectionism.

At Home with Ellie Krieger

Mary Dail — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:14:35 +0000

It makes it easier to keep to a good eating routine when you have a great schedule like this. Of course at Big Leo, we’d have at least 5 taco nights in the mix. Sarah Cave styled this beautiful and laid-back story for Better Homes and Gardens, about Ellie Krieger‘s homemade family meals. If eating well is the cornerstone of a good life, then styling well is the cornerstone of a good editorial! If only we could get the magnificent Alison Attenborough to cook every night, along with the lovable Con Poulos to shoot. Talk about a week of Sundays…

Decorating with Plants

Mary Dail — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:14:35 +0000

Hilary Robertson styled this simple yet luscious story for Real Simple, shot by the green-thumbed Christopher Baker. There is something so peaceful about plants – the kind of life to have in your home that not only adds a beautiful touch, but also a real living object that animates the rest of the decor. Why buy an air filter, a tchotchke and a pet, when you can have all at the same time?

Big Everything

Mary Dail — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:11:15 +0000

Stylist Hilary Robertson traveled way way out to Big Sky, Montana for this Elle Decor story with the peerless Pieter Esterhosen. When I asked her about the shoot she said the biggest challenge was getting that many flowers out there. There aren’t exactly any flower markets in the snowy mountains. But with the help of the NYC-based Dutch Flower Line, it all came together. The other thing she mentioned was the art collection. So many amazing pieces – her favorite was a sculpture by the British artist Julian Opie. And no trip to Montana would be complete without “the biggest breakfast I have ever seen.” Big spaces, big ceilings, big everything. Oh yeah, and the sky. Endless.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Mary Dail — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:50:18 +0000

The past year was a whirlwind of new projects, new friends and new faces. Below is a sampling of the images that Big Leo artists helped produce in 2011, and it represents only a small fraction of the projects that we took on. We are so grateful to be able to collaborate with so many creative people and look forward to a whole new season of making the best images come to life. Thank you everyone who was a part of so many successful teams. Happy New Year to all of our friends, clients, families and all! May 2012 bring joy and prosperity to each and every one of us!

Scott Peacock’s Gameplan

Mary Dail — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:22:14 +0000

Most of the time, dinners do not come together the way you drew it up in the locker room. Same thing with photo shoots. There are just too many variables and all of a sudden you forget to add salt to the mashed potatoes. But follow the lead of Scott Peacock, who knows a thing or two about orchestrating great meals from his years at Watershed. The trick is to field the best of the best so that the food is impeccably presented with not a single item out of place. This perfection is thanks to stylist Sarah Cave, who worked with photographer and rugby star Con Poulos to execute the plan. Just don’t forget to preheat the oven or you’ll get knocked back down to the minor leagues.

Giving Thanks Everyday

Mary Dail — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:26:14 +0000

This month’s Everyday Food has the requisite Thanksgiving standbys as well as some nice autumn meals and great recipes to keep the in-laws from eating the the tablecloths, napkins, and anything else that isn’t nailed down. Not to mention the sumptuous photos styled by Hilary Robertson and shot by Big Leo in-law Anna Williams. If we eat with our eyes, be thankful for this amazing feast.

Sweet Season

Mary Dail — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:43:20 +0000

So many desserts, so little time. The thing about holiday sweets is that the more simple they are, the more you can stand to eat. It’s just calorie math. Hilary Robertson brought a touch of her elegant style to this story in Whole Living with the most tasteful Shira Bocar. Pistachios, chocolate, and sea salt: a perfect appetizer before the baked goods come out of the oven.

Cucina Povera

Mary Dail — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:28:27 +0000

The just-released book Cucina Povera by Pamela Sheldon Johns features photographs by Andrea Wyner. It is one of those jobs where you just say yes and sort out the details when you get there. In Italy, things move at a different pace. There is no production team per se, just one camera and an old fashioned kitchen. Call it fotografia povera. Cooking like that takes you back to the roots, to the simplicity that has been developed over hundreds of years of tradition. And shooting in an environment like that gets back to the basics – no post-production tweaks to get the sheen of the sauce just right – just some beautiful light, some talented artisans, and the organic moments that just tend to happen, if you let them. Read more over over at Elizabeth Minchilli’s blog and check out the book for a great take on classic Tuscan Cuisine.

Essentiel Pépin

Mason Adams — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:44:33 +0000

Dans le nouvel edition de Food & Wine, la styliste Hilary Robertson fait vivre des classiques de Jacques Pépin avec le photographe extraordinaire Con Poulos. Crêpe Suzette, Carbonnade à la Flamande, Brandade de Morue au Gratin, et Canard à l’Orange. J’imagine que les recettes sois assez difficile à preparer, mais voila le prix d’excellence. Il faut simplement demander la même chose aux artistes – les images à suivre sont magnifiques et et tout à fait délicieux!