This month we are excited to share the work of Jim Scherer – longstanding friend of Colortek of Boston and renowned food photographer. Scherer’s delectable images are created within his gorgeous studio in Lower Mills, Dorchester. Once home to the Blue Hill Bank, the historic, neoclassical brick building offers expansive shooting and prep accommodations for photographers, chefs and stylists.
Like many photographers whom grew up during the golden age of film photography, Scherer recalls the anticipation and excitement that burned within the brief time between shooting and development of film at the local drug store. These sensations of wonder and discovery continued to transpire throughout the years, as Scherer sought to utilize photography as his tool in storytelling and self expression.
Scherer would continue his photographic journey at Yale University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. There he used the viewfinder to frame his visions of the world, printing in a wet lab darkroom with sloppy black borders from filed negative carriers. Later, Scherer became more interested in the creation of images rather than the capture of them. He began to compose and shoot within a studio, where he is able to garner full control and build his own world; directing the light, composition, and character within each image.
“Food photography interests me because it takes all the elements of the studio still-life world and adds the excitement that comes from having an organic and changeable subject. By its nature food is imperfect, and different every time is goes under the camera. Food affects us in such a fundamental way that it can’t help but create a reaction of some kind.”
After college, Scherer moved to Boston begin working in the world of commercial photography. After assisting within several commercial studios, Scherer was offered a job that would change himself and his career. He was to shoot a cookbook with author and chef Julia Child. Scherer recalls her influential passion and generosity. He would be fortunate to work with Julia Child twice more on cookbooks before her passing in 2004. These works include The Way to Cook, Julia Child & Co., and Julia Child & More Co.
During this early period, Scherer also began a longstanding relationship with The Boston Globe Magazine’s Sunday edition food column. Over the past thirty years, Scherer has been challenged to create and capture weekly installments, which has been a significant platform to redefine and craft his vision over the years. Each column is produced in collaboration with writer Adam Reid and food stylist Catrine Kelty.
“Once the three of us gather in the studio, the process of shooting is a collaboration, often spontaneous and always fun. Adam calls himself the “voice of the food” and speaks to whether our photo is an accurate representation of his recipe. Catrine, as stylist, brings both the props and the food, usually prepping the food in the kitchen at the studio. The crew here in the studio includes, beside myself, Mark Schou my assistant and Lucie Wicker my studio manager. After the shoot we sit down and enjoy a lunch of whatever we have photographed that day, which is our favorite perk.”
Jim Scherer has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognition for his work in food photography. Most recently he was awarded Best of ASMP 2015 (the American Society of Media Photographers). He has also been the recipient of the Communication Arts Photography Annual Award of Excellence and the Photo District News Award. He was also on the ASMP National Board of Directors.
“I love the tension between the perfect and the imperfect: the crumb or plate that is slightly out of place within an otherwise formal arrangement.”
Scherer lives in Dorchester with his wife, a watercolor artist, and his dog Cosmo. He has three grown children who also reside in the Greater Boston area. Outside of the studio Scherer enjoys traveling, listening to classical and jazz music, cycling, bike restoration and repair, and keeping up with science and technology.
“I feel this is really what life is about: little imperfections within a beautiful and organic whole.”
For more information on Jim Scherer, please visit his website at
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