Tailgating with Wild Wing Cafe's "Party in a Box"

Late last summer, I photographed Wild Wing Cafe's "tailgater" menu. Wild Wing Cafe (WWC) created a menu conveniently packaged and perfect for game day. This "Party in a Box"  includes fan favorites, such as wings, dips, fries, and beer—it even has a playlist to set the mood

As the photographer, I purposefully incorporated the food and setting to evoke the spirit of a classic American football tailgate. As this was an extensive menu, I decided to shoot in the studio to ensure consistent lighting through all the shots for a game-day ambiance. Access to a full kitchen was essential for this shoot, so my North Carolina studio was perfect. A picnic table made to our specifications, outdoor scenics, and turf emphasized the tailgate feel.

A stellar team of food stylists, assistants, and the design team from WWC tackled this three-day shoot to create a set of game-winning images.

Restaurant menu photography at this scale requires the same discipline as any national advertising campaign. Three days of shooting across an extensive menu means consistent lighting, consistent food preparation, and a production rhythm that keeps energy high without sacrificing craft. The studio setup in Greensboro, with a full kitchen and the ability to build custom sets, made it possible to create an authentic outdoor tailgate environment on a controlled indoor set. For restaurant chains and food service brands, that kind of production flexibility is what makes a studio-based photographer practical for national campaigns regardless of geography. Commercial restaurant and menu photography by Dhanraj Emanuel, available nationwide for restaurant chains, food service brands, and advertising agencies.