A day working at Casa Efigenia
Early in the morning, we headed to the port to catch the ferry to the neighbouring island. With all the equipment prepared in advance, we took the first ferry of the day to make the most of our time on the island.
Once we arrived in La Gomera, we headed straight to the restaurant, which was located a little farther away from the port. For those who have never been to the island, it is important to bear in mind that journeys can be long and the roads have numerous bends. That is why setting off with plenty of time to spare was essential.
We tried to arrive at the restaurant early so that we could unload and set up all the equipment without rushing, prepare the space, and take the photographs without disrupting the restaurant’s usual operations too much.
We had already defined the style we wanted to achieve and what we wanted the images to convey. The aim was to ensure that the photographs would fit naturally into the new website and, above all, capture the essence of Casa Efigenia: its warm, welcoming, family-run atmosphere.
The lighting
From the very beginning, the lighting was planned with the aim of respecting the space and avoiding an overly artificial look. We wanted the light to blend naturally into the surroundings without altering their essence.
To achieve this, we chose a corner next to a window where some natural light was coming in. We used flash to enhance this effect and recreate the look of direct sunlight streaming through the window, resulting in warm, soft, and enveloping lighting.
The aim was to evoke those afternoons spent gathered around a table in a family home: a warm and welcoming atmosphere where good food and togetherness take centre stage.
This lighting enhanced the restaurant’s rustic character by recreating a warm, natural atmosphere, while its clean, contemporary approach added a modern and timeless feel. In this way, the photographs conveyed a sense of tradition without feeling outdated, and a sense of warmth and familiarity without compromising on a polished finish.
Photographing the menu
We began by photographing the dishes for the menu. The dishes came out of the kitchen one by one so that we could photograph them as quickly as possible.
In food photography, timing is especially important. As the minutes pass, ingredients lose their temperature, firmness, and texture, which in turn affects their visual appeal. For this reason, each dish had to be photographed almost as soon as it came out of the kitchen.
Once we had taken the individual photographs for the menu, we used those same dishes to create wider compositions and build scenes that conveyed the experience of enjoying a complete meal at the restaurant.
This allowed us to move beyond simply showcasing the food and create an experience around it.
Photograph for the Casa Efigenia restaurant menu
Creating the experience
In a second phase, we introduced models to complement the scenes and create more natural, authentic images. The aim was to go beyond simply showing a photographed dish and allow viewers to imagine themselves sitting at the table, sharing the food, and experiencing what it is like to dine at Casa Efigenia.
Introducing models to create an authentic and relatable scene at Casa Efigenia.
We also paid special attention to some of the restaurant’s most distinctive products, such as almogrote and palm honey lemonade. As an important part of Casa Efigenia’s identity, they deserved a special place in the photoshoot.
Through these compositions, we also sought to incorporate the restaurant’s rustic character and the natural landscape of La Gomera. The space, cuisine, people, and surroundings thus become different elements of a single story.
Menu photographs incorporating the surroundings of Casa Efigenia.
Doña Efigenia
The highlight of the photoshoot was undoubtedly the opportunity to photograph Doña Efigenia herself, the heart and soul of the restaurant.
Every gesture, every glance, and every word revealed the deep dedication and pride she feels for her restaurant. Her presence is an essential part of what gives Casa Efigenia its distinctive character, making it such a warm, welcoming, and special place.
On the one hand, we wanted to portray her in a more personal way, capturing the moments and gestures that reflect her connection to the restaurant. On the other, we included her in compositions alongside the models, where she appears sharing and explaining her story and that of the restaurant.
Reflecting something that happens regularly at Casa Efigenia. It is common to find Doña Efigenia chatting with diners, sharing stories, and explaining different aspects of her cooking and her journey. Capturing this interaction allowed us to portray a much more authentic and personal experience.
In some images, we also decided to bring her together with her own products, creating compositions in which both elements became part of a single concept: “Doña Efigenia and Her Food”, two inseparable parts of the restaurant’s identity.
Creating authentic images that capture the essence of Casa Efigenia.
A unified visual identity
Finally, by applying the same mood and aesthetic throughout all the photographs, we were able to create a cohesive visual identity for the new website.
Using exclusively images taken during this photoshoot helps maintain greater visual consistency and build a recognisable narrative throughout the website. Each photograph belongs to the same visual world, sharing consistent lighting, editing, and aesthetics, and contributing to a stronger, more authentic representation of the restaurant.
The ultimate goal was not simply to photograph the food, but to capture the Casa Efigenia experience: its cuisine, its space, its surroundings, and its distinctive, unmistakable atmosphere.
Discover the full Casa Efigenia Project
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