The Nitty Gritty - with Jo Ross

Healthy Eating Jo was one of the first food accounts that I discovered on instagram.

Her photos are so bright and vibrant, and I can spot her style a mile away.

Jo herself is as bright and vibrant as her photos and she is an endless source of inspiration to me, and to the many accounts that she supports and cheers on every day.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m Jo, and I live in Sydney with my husband, 2 teenage kids, and my fur baby - Rory the Cavoodle. I’ve been healthy eating for many years, and love making wholefood and refined sugar free versions of my favourite treats. I’m very easygoing, introverted, and love to laugh. I’m not a fan of fakeness, and seek out a small group of treasured genuine people in my real and virtual life. I live by the 80/20 rule, of eating healthy 80% of the time, with the other 20% made up mostly of red wine, Italian food and Salt & Vinegar chips.

How did you get started?

I was 20 years into a successful full-time Banking career, loving developing the people that worked with me, and achieving great things, but the creative side I loved as a teenager had been largely cast aside, and was dying to be rekindled. On one of my many pre-holiday diets, I decided to share my endeavours on the newly popular Instagram (that my daughter helped me set up), as a way of documenting my diet and exercise, and holding myself accountable.

Little did I know the amazing community of likeminded and inspiring people I would meet in this virtual world. It spurred me on to improve my photography, and put more effort into my styling. After a couple of years of posting after work and on weekends, I realised my new passion could become a full-time role, so I nervously walked away from the secure life I knew, to follow my dreams and become a full-time blogger and food photographer.

What equipment do you shoot with?

For most of the photos on my account I used an old Canon 450D with a 50mm lens, and recently upgraded to the Canon 6D Mark II with the same lens plus a 100mm Macro lens. I occasionally use a Manfrotto tripod for my client work, that I bought for Christmas, but still prefer shooting freehand or propped on books or random boxes on the ground!

Do you prefer studio work or location shoots?

You’ll usually find me on my hands and knees of my makeshift 1m X 1m photo area, on the floor of my loungeroom, next to a large double storey window. I like my own things in my own home, as inspiration usually comes in the moment, so I can change backdrops or props to suit how I feel at the time.

Describe your style.

I’ve always admired dark and moody photography (just like yours Naomi), and wish I would give myself the time to learn it, as it always seems like ‘true’ photography to me. But my style is more light and colourful. I eat the rainbow, and want healthy eating to be fun to myself and others, so that is reflected in my pictures and styling.

Who do you admire?

Gosh, so many people. I never like leaving people out, so these types of questions always make me uncomfortable… I’ll stick to Instagram accounts:

@naomisherman_foodcreative – Your photos always have me in awe. You’re a true professional, talent and artist, but it was your sense of humour that won me.
@tohercore – Dearna’s personality and dark and moody style is one of my all-time favourites. She also does amazing and self-depreciating videos.
@natalie.zee – so honoured to have met her a few times. I love her no nonsense attitude, and that she knows what matters most for her career. She is always willing to help or offer advice, and is so talented.
@rebelrecipes – Niki makes the food of my dreams. I adore her style. She was one of the first people I followed on Instagram, and gave me my first shout-out!
@missmarzipancom – You’ll never meet a more genuine person. Her photography is amazing, but I admire her captions and honesty, and how she shares her life, the good and the bad. I feel connected from half way around the world.
@spoonful_of_sarah – I admire her business savvy, and that she’s stayed down to earth amongst all of her success.
@kimjuliehansen from @bestofvegan – An all-round amazing human, and genuine soul who has done so much for the vegan movement, and for so many food bloggers

What's your dream food shoot?

My dream food shoot isn’t for a particular product or food group. I’m so used to cold food now, but I always appreciate a shoot where I can devour all the goodies afterwards, and they aren’t ruined after a million photos and adjustments! I enjoy most of my client shoots where I receive an item, and have to make something with it – it always sparks my creativity. My dream food shoot would actually be me watching one of the photographers above shooting food, and learning from them.

What's your "can't live without" prop, tool or piece of equipment?

Usually always napkins, flowers or fruit.

Do you have one piece of advice for anyone just starting out?

Do it because you love it, and not for fame or likes - and never forget why you started

Sweet or Savoury?

Savoury through and through. I’m a snack platter kind of girl. You might not realise it from my account, but that’s because I eat ALL the savoury food, and don’t photograph it!

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Vanilla because it’s so darn good, plus it can be made into any flavour – including chocolate J

Four favourite instagram accounts?

The ones mentioned of course, plus:

@curlew_and_dragonfly

@feastingonfruit

@grubwithanindianabroad

@the_balanced_kitchen

Three songs to listen to while working?

I actually don’t listen to music whilst working, and prefer the silence.

What was the last cookbook you bought?

I can’t remember the last time I bought a cookbook. I never look at them, unless they are sent by the talented people I follow online.

If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family think you'd done?

My husband thinks I drive too fast, so he’d probably think I’d been speeding - even though I’ve never received a ticket.

Can you show us one of your early photos, along with a recent shot that you're really proud of?

My whole photo history remains on my Instagram account. It’s always nice to look back and appreciate how far you’ve come…

I took the carrot cake oats shot outside, as I heard natural light was a good thing, and I put the bowl next to my pool to add some ‘interest’!

The recent shot of the Purple Sweet Potato soup was for Vitamix, but I was most proud as I’d had a picture in my mind of the baked chips on top, and the matching salad leaves and spring onion – and it’s always a victory when it comes together as you’d hoped.