Michelle Gatton on styling a sumptuous food story in an 1850s Maryland barn

In the creative industry, it’s important to constantly make new personal work—both to keep your skills sharp and to create fresh material to show clients. Which brings us to Stockland Martel food stylist Michelle Gatton’s recent personal project: a test shoot at a gorgeous Maryland barn that turned out so beautifully, she and her collaborators decided to create posters of the work to use as self-promos.

The concept was a food story, and the location was Star Bright Farm, an 1850s Maryland barn owned by photographer Helen Norman. Helen had channeled her love of all things European when she renovated the barn, so the photo project—spearheaded by creative director James Dunlinson and prop stylist Alistair Turnbull—naturally took its cue from that aesthetic.

“Simple food and renaissance props were side-lit to highlight an old European feeling,” Michelle explains. “It was a proper way to inaugurate the barn, which in the future will hold weddings and warm get-togethers.”

“I love the way Alistair and Michelle gave our barn a timeless, rumpled feeling,” says Helen. “The food made it feel like the gathering had really been enjoyed. It was unfussy, as if the gathering happened very spontaneously.”

“We were so pleased with the results,” notes James, “that we printed 1,500 posters, which are being mailed this week to potential clients.”