My Pro Vlogging & Food Photography Tabletop Setup

by | Oct 9, 2025 | Art + Design

A behind-the-scenes look at how I balance creative storytelling, real life, and roast chicken.

(This article contains affiliate links — meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share gear I’ve personally tested and love.)

a little about me

By day, I’m a Communications Manager for Creative & Operations — leading a student-run creative agency and multimedia team within a university setting.  My work blends storytelling, design, and production strategy, often at a professional scale: think campus-wide campaigns, marketing shoots, and spirited student-focused creative direction.

By night (and most weekends), I’m chasing light — not deadlines — in my own kitchen. Between my two small boys, a giant English Mastiff–St. Bernard Mix, and a house full of energy, I’ve learned that ease of use is everything. My personal gear isn’t about replicating a full studio — it’s about smart, compact tools that make it easy to shoot high-quality food photography and tabletop videos using my iPhone or Sony mirrorless DSLR, even when family life is buzzing in the background.

My Everyday Food Photography + Vlogging Setup

These are the tools that make up my Swede Dish tabletop editorial setup — professional-grade, but flexible enough to move between my kitchen, dining area, or rolling work desk.

Bilbil Electric Rolling Desk (32″ x 24″)
The unsung hero of my setup. This mobile, height-adjustable desk transforms into a tabletop studio, giving me a dedicated photography station away from the chaos of the kitchen counter or dining table.

(Yes — my kitchen counters fill up fast. Having a dedicated movable workspace has saved both my creativity and my sanity.)

Photo Backdrops for Food Styling

BEIYANG 4-Pattern Boards (Marble + Light Gray) – 24×24″

BEIYANG 5-Pack Photo Backdrop Boards – 24×24″
These give that crisp, editorial flat-lay look without the need for big surfaces. They’re lightweight and easy to lean against walls for quick background swaps between shots.

(Pro Tip: Pair “marble” or “linen gray” boards with warm natural props for a Nordic-meets-modern aesthetic.)

Swedish 18th-century folk art, hand-painted furniture, like these storage chests using natural pigments and floral patterns, vines, birds, hearts, tulips, stars, kurbits, love symbols, home icons, fertility symbols, and faith representations. 

Mounts & Arms for Flexible Angles

SmallRig Magic Arm Clamp w/ 1/4″ Screw & Magsafe Mount – 5604
Perfect for attaching my iPhone above a stove or countertop for overhead recipe shots. The integrated Magic Arm offers stability and fluid adjustment — ideal for filming stirring, slicing, or plating.

NEEWER 22″ Magic Arm w/ Desk C Clamp – UA057
A great option for turning a rolling desk into a movable tabletop studio. I can easily swing my camera over a dish or pan and move the whole rig toward natural light by a window.

SmallRig Small Camera Tripod – 5285
Compact, sturdy, and versatile enough for my Sony or iPhone setup. The carabiner hook lets me hang it from shelves or hooks when space is tight.

A modern interpretation of vibrant kurbits floral design, a traditional Swedish folk art, on a bright and cheery ceramic vase, symbolizing abundance and growth, and the national symbol of Swedish culture and craftsmanship.

Lighting that Feels Like a Nordic Kitchen

KraftGeek Magnetic Selfie Light for iPhone
This little rechargeable light clips on instantly and adds soft fill for golden-hour looks even after dark.

Neewer 18.3″ RGB LED Light Panel Kit (2-Pack)
My go-to for recreating natural daylight indoors. App-controlled and color-adjustable — great for early morning or twilight shoots when natural light fades.

NEEWER RGB62 Magnetic RGB Video Lights (2-Pack)
Portable and magnetic, these are perfect accent lights for creating warm background glows or highlighting textures in food photography.

(Pro Tip: Pair warm light from one side with cool daylight from a window to achieve Scandinavian-style color balance — bright but soft.)

Sound & Stabilization for Vlogging

DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case)
Clear, crisp wireless audio — small enough to clip to your apron or shirt while narrating your process.

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Stabilizer
Smooths handheld shots beautifully. I use it for step-by-step recipe clips, transitions, or behind-the-scenes storytelling.

Osmo Mobile 7P Travel Case
Keeps the gimbal protected and easy to grab when inspiration strikes.

A modern interpretation of vibrant kurbits dalana horse in traditional colors. 

Bonus Tools for Convenience & Creativity

Zoomable Selfie Monitor Screen for iPhone
Lets you see yourself while filming from the back camera — so you can stay framed perfectly when recording intros or plating shots solo.

SmallRig Magnetic Metal Phone Mount w/ Cold Shoe – 5156
Adds flexibility for mounting microphones or lights directly onto your phone.

SmallRig USB-C Coiled Cable – 4792
Keeps cables tidy while powering or transferring footage from camera to laptop.

Why This Setup Works

This setup follows the same multimedia best practices I teach and oversee professionally:

  • Stable overhead shots: Use articulating arms or clamps for consistent framing.

  • Consistent lighting: Mix one soft directional source (like a window or light panel) with gentle fill light.

  • Good audio: Use wireless mics for voiceovers or recipe narration.

  • Dedicated space: A small movable studio saves time, reduces cleanup, and keeps creative work flowing in real life.

In my house, that might mean clamping a SmallRig Magic Arm to a kitchen cabinet for a quick shot over a simmering pot — or rolling my desk next to a window for natural morning light on freshly baked saffron buns.

Next Up: My Home Setup Configurations

In the next post, I’ll share how I arrange my setup in real-life spaces — from overhead recipe videos to tabletop food editorials — including lighting diagrams, gear positioning, and real photo examples.

(Hint: You don’t need a studio. You just need a corner of light, a steady clamp, and a bit of creative patience.)

Sign up!

Free Meal Plans

Save Your Favorite Recipes

Seasonal Newsletter

Sign up

Swedish Folkart Pattern Design: A Story in Every Stroke

by | Aug 5, 2025 | Art + Design

Swedish folkart—known as Allmoge in Swedish—is a vibrant tapestry of color, symbolism, and tradition that has decorated rural homes, furniture, and textiles for centuries. Rooted in storytelling and everyday life, these designs are not only beautiful but carry deep cultural meaning and a connection to the natural world.

A Heritage of Handcraft

Swedish 18th-century folk art, hand-painted furniture, like these storage chests using natural pigments and floral patterns, vines, birds, hearts, tulips, stars, kurbits, love symbols, home icons, fertility symbols, and faith representations. 

Folkart in Sweden grew organically among farming communities in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was a creative outlet in otherwise austere surroundings—transforming simple furniture, storage chests, and walls into works of personal expression. Often painted by hand with natural pigments, the patterns included flowers, vines, birds, hearts, tulips, stars, and traditional kurbits (fantastical gourd plants made famous in Dalarna).

These motifs weren’t just decorative—they told stories of love, home, fertility, and faith. Each region in Sweden developed its own variation of folk patterns, making the art both unified and deeply local.

A modern interpretation of vibrant kurbits floral design, a traditional Swedish folk art, on a bright and cheery ceramic vase, symbolizing abundance and growth, and the national symbol of Swedish culture and craftsmanship.

The Iconic Kurbits

Perhaps the most recognizable element of Swedish folkart is the kurbits style, originating in Dalarna, central Sweden. These swirling plant motifs feature stylized flowers and leaves bursting in radiant, rainbow-like colors. Historically painted on wedding chests and cabinets, kurbits was a symbol of abundance, growth, and blessing.

Today, kurbits has evolved into a national symbol of Swedish culture and craftsmanship, showing up on everything from textiles and ceramics to modern fashion and branding.

Color and Craftsmanship

Swedish folk patterns are defined by bold colors set against neutral or dark backgrounds. Common hues include:

  • Deep reds and mustard yellows (symbolizing joy and warmth)

  • Bright blues and greens (for nature and fertility)

  • Soft whites and blacks (for contrast and formality)

Artisans used brushes, stencils, and even combs to create layers of texture. The result is both rustic and refined—a balance between order and whimsy that captures the Swedish spirit.

A Global Renaissance

In recent years, Swedish folkart has experienced a global resurgence. Designers and illustrators are drawing inspiration from traditional motifs and reimagining them in modern contexts—on wallpapers, kitchenware, children’s books, and digital prints.

This revival celebrates sustainability, slow craft, and cultural heritage—core values that resonate with modern makers and mindful consumers alike.

A modern interpretation of vibrant kurbits dalana horse in traditional colors. 

A Global Renaissance

In recent years, Swedish folkart has experienced a global resurgence. Designers and illustrators are drawing inspiration from traditional motifs and reimagining them in modern contexts—on wallpapers, kitchenware, children’s books, and digital prints.

This revival celebrates sustainability, slow craft, and cultural heritage—core values that resonate with modern makers and mindful consumers alike.

Folkart in Everyday Life

Whether painted on a coffee tin or stitched into a tea towel, Swedish folkart reminds us that beauty can—and should—live in the everyday. It’s a design language passed down through generations that invites us to slow down, savor our surroundings, and honor the stories of those who came before us.

Sign up!

Free Meal Plans

Save Your Favorite Recipes

Seasonal Newsletter

Sign up