We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alise Arato. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alise below.

Alise, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a customer success story with us?

In my early days of styling, a photographer that I’d been working with asked if I wanted to work on a small print shoot with her. It would be to style & create a look for a small but trendy local frozen yogurt shop called Pinkberry. I collaborated with a talented creative director & photographer to create an instantly recognizable look for the product. Our goal was to style the product with a bold, graphic and fresh aesthetic to elevate their frozen yogurt from an already crowded field of competitors, Over the next decade I continued to work closely with the client to help establish Pinkberry into a national success story. It was very gratifying to be part of the beginning of such an iconic brand.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When I started Food Styling 25 years ago, virtually no one knew what a Food Stylist was. Since there was no formal educational program for Food Styling at the time, I was part of a community of creatives that found their way into this field from a wide range of professional backgrounds.

My journey started as a Fine Arts/Drawing & Painting major in Toronto, where I grew up. I pivoted to the world of food – owning my own catering company & then cafe, specializing in baking & pastry. I discovered Food Styling, & completed an internship where I was able to combine my skills as a visual artist & a culinary professional.
Since that time I have always approached Food Styling from a visual & graphic perspective, where color, form, texture, shape, composition all drive my design aesthetic.
Food Styling requires a knowledge of food science, effective collaboration & continual problem solving skills & working under pressure. Every project is unique & brings its own set of challenges.

I have now been a Food & Beverage Stylist for over 25 years, working in print & motion on all types of shoots -advertising, editorial, packaging, social media, television, etc. I am grateful to do this for a living and always try to keep an even, open, easy going attitude on set & with my crew.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

First and foremost I believe that regardless of the client or project, when you look at my portfolio there is a clear and unique voice in my work. My background and experience in both the Visual and Culinary Arts informs how I solve Food Styling challenges. My aesthetic leans toward a clean and bold graphic language with an eye for detail. On set I am even keeled, organized, never panic, positive and open to feedback. I approach every job as a collaboration and deliver a high quality product regardless of time, budget and parameters,

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

While most everyone is on social media I have maintained a vibrant, growing and successful business mainly through word of mouth, referrals, and my website. I take pride in maintaining long term relationships with clients, photographers, art departments, agencies & production companies. I’m grateful that the quality of my work and my professionalism have been the main drivers of my business for the past 25 years.

Contact Info:

• Website: alisearato.com
• Linkedin: alise arato

Image Credits
Christina Peters Bruce James Dana Hursey Vinnie Finn