A couple of weeks ago, we were invited for a completely different, and super delicious, project where we got to play with our food (sorry, mom!). We tested our skills with a food photoshoot at Three Monks and a Duck, Queen Street’s newest micro bar. 

We have been absolutely obsessed with Three Monks and a Duck, the food, the atmosphere, and the idea behind it - they welcome people (and ducks obv.) with all sorts of food preferences and they are totally open to modifications!! Got a picky eater in your group? They’ve got you covered! Win!! It was such a treat to come hang out with the couple behind this cozy bar and capture all their mouth-watering dishes and their super creative and fun cocktails! 

We gotta tell you though, we have mad respect for all you food photographers out there. Food photography isn’t just quickly snapping a couple of cell phone pics against a cute background, although a colourful and funky mural like the one by Mango Peeler at Three Monks and a Duck sure doesn’t hurt! We had to take into consideration the lighting in the space, and take advantage of the gorgeously lit bar and the huge window, the different textures that make up the space, from the brass bar top to the wooden tables tops, the fun variety of glasses and plates, and the unique food presentation. We played around with the food styling as well, trying to balance plums and lemons, and scattering tea leaves and blueberries, while making it look oh so natural. Instagram makes it look easy, but so much effort goes into making the food and the drinks look as drool-worthy as possible. By the time we finished at Three Monks and a Duck, we were definitely ready for a food break, and we didn’t want to waste all that food we were playing with, so...yeah...food, get in our belly!

Three Monks and a Duck is actually the brainchild of the same couple behind iHalo Krunch, the popular Queen Street ice cream shop that serves charcoal and ube (purple yam) ice cream, and it’s only a few doors down from Three Monks and a Duck. Naturally, we went over to iHalo to snap a few more fun pictures with their funky cones. Pro tip: ask for a cone with ALL the flavours - so pretty and so fun to photograph, especially against the cool wall art! We totally get why Toronto is obsessed – we are too! Thank you so much for inviting us to do a food photoshoot and photograph your amazing creations! We cannot wait to see what’s next for you guys! :D