Meet Kyle Dreier of Dreier & Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Dreier.

Hi Kyle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
People often ask me how I became a food photographer. The answer is a little complicated. My career resembles a pinball—up, down, left, right… and a fair amount of lights and bells going off along the way.

My first job out of college was for American Way Magazine—the inflight magazine for American Airlines where I was given the opportunity to art direct some food photography for various articles in the magazine. From there, my career bounced from graphic design to illustration to Internet startup to investment resort real estate to architectural photography, and now to food photography.

Having grown up in the kitchen (my parents entertained a ton), I had a basic understanding of food prep and plating. My art direction and graphic design education and experience provided a certain approach to the aesthetic I created in my photography. And, my continued desire to develop a niche with my business lead me to full emersion in food photography.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For some reason, smooth roads don’t exist for creatives and their businesses.

Mine has been no exception. The challenge of creating a portfolio to compete on a national level. The work it takes to build a trusted competent professional team. Refining processes to deliver consistent results for clients. The list goes on.

It’s like with any new business—you work out the kinks as you go and hope the market will support all the work and capital you’re putting into your venture.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Dreier & Company is a food photography studio located in the SoBro area of downtown Nashville.

What is a “Food Photography Studio?” We provide food and food-related photography for large brands regionally and nationally. Over the years, we’ve worked with Ruby Tuesday, Honey Baked Ham, Heinz, Cracker Barrel, Publix, Chinet, Perkins, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr, and many more.

While I am a food photographer, there are many other professionals involved in our productions to ensure success. We work with food stylists, prop stylists, producers, and the list goes on.

What matters most to you?
For those who know me, they find out really fast I have a few soapboxes… AKA convictions.

I value integrity most of all… particularly when it comes to financial matters. Our industry is notorious for dragging out payment 30, 60, 90 days. If I ask you to work for me, you deserve prompt payment. It’s where the rubber meets the road.

If I were interested in holding people’s money or financing a client’s slow payment, I would have started a bank. And that’s just one of my soapboxes.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dreier.com
• Instagram: @dreier_company