Interview: Miachel Pruett
Behind every food advertisement, there’s a tireless team paying close attention to all those tiny, elusive details that make it look delicious and alluring. Fruits, vegetables, and CPGs can be fickle divas and it takes a skilled, patient eye to set things in place.
Miachel Pruett, a director, photographer, and stylist, knows about the creative rigor that goes into plating and presenting a captivating dish. Pruett mostly works from her studio in Austin, Texas, where she directs short-form videos and photographs still lifes and portraits. Coming off a recent collaboration with Magnolia Network, Pruett opened up about her path to success.
As a self-taught photographer who was driven by a passion for the craft, Pruett says she aims to “bring out the inherent beauty in the subject through story, texture, and color play.”
She’s developed motion advertisements for Omni Bev, Jiant, Kin, and countless others. Her style can be quirky and lively, but also refined in its simplicity. Sift through her portfolio and you may end up craving a decadent meal of Vietnamese cold brew and waffles topped off with a Bloody Mary.
Miachel Pruett for Omni Bev
In 2016, Pruett exhibited a show in Mouth Spirit Gallery in Dumbo. The subject matter? Aligned with her playful ethos, it was a portrait series of food renderings of emojis — prayer hands made out of blueberries and cherry tomatoes and coffee beans for pupils. Since then, she’s excelled at curating vibrant colors to present an enticing moment. She’s done elaborate sets of bountiful feasts and deconstructed cocktails, but also can zoom in on that distinct, magical second in which you unwrap a chocolate bar and the foil reflects a celestial light.
Pruett spoke to District One about how creatives can find their niche in the industry and her dream collaboration.
District One: How did you first get into your area of work?
I started off as a designer in advertising. While I loved my team, I quickly found out that I did not enjoy my job. So before and after work every day and on weekends I would teach myself photography. This gradually led to me doing photography full-time.
D1: What is your ideal client or project?
My latest ideal project would be a musician collaboration. I'd love to photograph an album and/or poster series.
D1: Tell us about the proudest moment or moments in your career.
They happen all the time. Recently a proud moment was working with Magnolia Network. A smaller, recent proud moment was delivering a four-day shoot to a client that I styled and shot by myself.
D1: Who are your mentors, trusted voices, inspirations in your field?
All the C-Suite moms I've worked for and with; I find it very inspiring to be a career-driven and simultaneously loving, attentive parent—who I am.
D1: What is your advice for brands who want to stand out with their creative content?
Find your niche people and speak directly to them. Engage with this audience and keep it real. And hire D1!
D1: What is your advice for young, up-and-coming creatives who want to break into freelance or independent agency work?
Make! My favorite personal video and photo projects have led to paid agency work because the clients liked what I was doing. Create the type of work you want to get paid for, y'all.
Learn more about Miachel on her website, and follow her on Instagram @miachelpruett