The wunderkind photography and directing duo Peden + Munk join the increasingly impressive roster of Concrete + Clay, an LA-based production studio.
Husband and wife team Taylor Peden and Jen Munkvold began their working relationship while still students at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Their collaborations have taken them around the world – from creating specialty camera rigs to capture food explosions, to foraging for mushrooms in the mountains of Morocco – working as one entity but with two sets of eyes to ensure a result that lives up to their high standards.
Their still photography work began with a focus on the culinary world. They quickly made a name for themselves as the go-to talent for major publications such as Bon Appetit, The New York Times Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, GQ and Mr. Porter, among others.
They went on to shoot a range of cookbooks including The Chiltern Firehouse about the famous London restaurant and The New Napa Cuisine about the Michelin 3-star restaurant at Meadowood. These cookbooks go beyond simple recipes and food photography to capture the magic of the locations and lively portraits.
Shining a perfect light on the most appetizing grilled ribeye steak is only the half of it. Peden + Munk have the directing magic that elicits energetic, soul-baring reactions from everyday people. Their directing technique connects with people in that unguarded, off-the-cuff way that results in brilliantly candid moments and striking photographs.
Their recently completed campaign for Tillamook County Creamery Association – Farmstyle Greek Yogurt for 72andSunny is a perfect intersection of what they do best. Capturing both still and motion elements, it’s through Peden + Munk’s bare and brave lens that you’re transported right into the farmers trenches in Oregon where Tillamook dairy products are made. The grit and everyday grind of real farmers is made extra evocative through Peden + Munk’s natural and crisp visuals.
Executive Producer Carrie McLaren comments, “Being able to package a cohesive story across still photography and live action is such a viable offering these days – it’s really what C+C was founded on. Not only do they work seamlessly across formats, but Peden + Munk are able to fuse impeccable food footage with deeply relatable lifestyle performances.” EP Mike Brady adds, “That mix of style and story is extremely rare and happens to be one of their biggest strengths.”
Their imagery has been central to rebranding major companies such as Tommy Bahama, Smirnoff, Jack Daniels, Williams Sonoma, Crate and Barrel, eBay, Gold Peak Tea, The Coca-Cola Company, Apple, Coors, Electrolux and Carrabba’s Restaurants. They also just completed the pilot for a new Netflix series about food.
Taylor comments: “Concrete + Clay echoes a lot of the ethos that we have. We share in that combination of high-level aesthetic with the enthusiastic, can-do work ethic that prevails in all of our productions.”
“This is our first time officially being represented as directors with a production company and we’re excited to finally be swimming in that pool,” says Jen. “Joining with Dewey (Nicks), Carrie, and Mike felt like a family. It’s very tight-knit, and they have been so supportive of the work we’ve created with them thus far.”
Link to Concrete + Clay: www.concreteandclay.com
