Meet Our Guest 'Grammer of the Week: @Meatballssmama
Each week we’re teaming up with a popular food-stagrammer who will take over our Instagram feed and fill it with their own delicious pics.This weekend on #TastyTakeovers, photographer and stylist Kari Young, also known as @meatballssmama, is our guest. Learn her secret for taking delicious photos in the Q&A below and head over to @YahooFood on Instagram to watch her foodie adventures unfold all weekend long.
Kari Young is a photographer and stylist living in Portland. (Photo: Anthony Cafiero)
Name/Instagram handle: Kari Young/Meatballssmama
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I’m from Portland, Ore., and have a five-year-old son. I’m a photographer, stylist, and a social media consultant. My interests include interior design, restaurants, bars, fashion, music, and cooking.
(Photo: Instagram/meatballssmama)
Where do you draw inspiration from?
My background is in the restaurant and hospitality industry so food and photography worked well together. I draw inspiration from editorial photography and work that is actually non-food related.
How has being a mom changed the way you think about food (if it has)?
Being a mom has taught me how hard it is to get your kids to eat healthy foods. I try and introduce my son to as many new foods as possible. I’m also an advocate for teaching kids how to dine in restaurants and being smart about where you take them.
Portland’s Nong’s Khao Man Gai restaurant. (Photo: Kari Young)
How do you take your photos (with a camera or phone)? What are your favorite photo editing tools and/or tips for taking exceptional food photos? Give us the scoop!
For social media, I shoot with my Samsung Galaxy 5 (although I’m considering a first-time leap to the iPhone) and I use a Canon for my high-res shots. I can’t stress enough the importance of good light. I also recommend taking several shots, playing with the composition, and editing to your own personal style. I’m also a fan of imperfection; whether it is a wrapper or sauce on the table I prefer messy over “over styled”. I try and avoid making my food and photos look “catalog”.
(Photo: Kari Young)
Who are three of your favorite Instagrammers? What do you like about them?
@raisedbythewolvesau because the photography is edgy, editorial and unique; @belenko is a collection of restaurant and bar interiors and design from around the world and is constantly inspiring me to travel; @lastsuspect is probably one the most incredibly visual and cool feeds on Instagram — I find more inspiration for my food photography from photographers not shooting food.
Breakfast nachos with, jalapeños, radishes, and sunny side eggs. (Photo: Kari Young)
If you could throw a dream dinner party for any three people — living or dead — who would they be and what would you cook for them?
Anthony Bourdain, Amy Sedaris, and Howard Stern. I would cook steaks and pour lots of red wine.
What’s the best dish you’ve ever made or the dish that you’re known for?
Bolognese and the best dish I ever made was Scott Conant’s Tomato Basil Spaghetti from his The Scarpetta Cookbook.
And last but not least—what’s your favorite food (if you had to pick one)?
Pizza!
A big fresh pizza pie from Pizza Maria restaurant in Portland. (Photo: Kari Young)
For more drool-worthy Insta pics, visit our Instagram Food Porn board on Pinterest and get to pinning!
Meet more ‘grammers from our past takeovers:
Paola Holthausen of the blog Cravings In Amsterdam
Florida’s Grilled Cheese Social with Mackenzie Smith
Sarah Coates and The Sugar Hit!
