The Challenge: Capturing 50 States Without 50 Shoot Days

The Great American Table is a culinary love letter to America, showcasing the unique flavors, traditions, and landscapes of all 50 states. For photographer Shane Huntsman, author Michelle Wright, publisher Heidi Gordon, and stylist Alexandra Bingham, the challenge was significant:

Scale – How to visually represent the diversity of American cuisine in one cohesive book without spending months in production.

Authenticity – Each state required a distinct aesthetic, from Maine's rugged coastal charm to the Southwest's sun-drenched vibrancy to Midwest farmhouse warmth.

Efficiency – Traditional single-set photography would have made this project prohibitively expensive and time-consuming.

The team needed a studio solution that could accommodate multiple elaborate sets simultaneously while providing the flexibility to build, paint, and transform backgrounds throughout the production.

The Studio Solution: Space, Flexibility & Pre-Production Time

Propaganda Image Works provided exactly what this ambitious project required—and demonstrated why square footage and studio amenities matter for large-scale productions.

What Made This Possible:

✅ Dedicated Space for Multiple Concurrent Sets – Our studio's ample square footage allowed the team to paint and wallpaper multiple custom backgrounds and build 5-6 fully-dressed sets at once. Sets representing different regions could remain in place throughout the shoot week, eliminating costly tear-down and rebuild time.

✅ Extended Pre-Production Access – We provided studio rental time specifically for set construction before shooting even began. Alexandra was able to paint custom backgrounds, install wallpaper treatments, and pre-style entire room vignettes with props, surfaces, and styling elements ready to go.

✅ Climate-Controlled Environment – Temperature consistency was critical for food styling across multi-day shoots. Our HVAC system kept conditions stable regardless of outdoor Utah weather.

✅ Flexible Rental Terms – Rather than rigid day-rate restrictions, we worked with the production team to create a rental package that accommodated their prep days, shoot days, and breakdown schedule.

✅ Lighting Grid & Power Infrastructure – Our ceiling height and electrical capacity supported complex lighting setups that could remain in position as the team moved between pre-built sets.

✅ Secure Overnight Storage – Expensive props, specialty equipment, and prepared sets could remain secure in our facility between shoot days, eliminating transportation and setup redundancy.

The Results: Efficiency, Quality & Budget Control

Thanks to Propaganda Image Works' flexible space and amenities, the production achieved remarkable results:

✔ 50+ unique regional scenes captured in a fraction of the time traditional single-set photography would require

✔ Maintained authentic, detailed styling for each state without rushed setups or compromised vision

✔ Stayed on schedule and budget – The ability to pre-build sets eliminated the most common cause of photography delays

✔ Higher daily image count – Multiple standing sets meant the team captured 7-8X more finished images per shoot day

✔ Reduced crew fatigue – Efficient workflows kept energy and creativity high throughout the production

Client Testimonial:

"The studio's ability to accommodate multiple sets at once was a game-changer. We were able to move from a New England clambake to a Texas BBQ in minutes, keeping the energy high and the shoot on track. Without that space and flexibility, this book would have taken months longer to produce."
— Shane Huntsman, Photographer

Why This Matters for Your Next Project

This production demonstrates how the right studio rental can transform your project:

For Large-Scale Productions:
Multiple simultaneous sets = faster shooting, lower costs, better creative outcomes

For Cookbooks & Food Brands:
Climate control + prep space + flexible scheduling = food styling success

For Commercial Campaigns:
Customizable backgrounds + build time + secure storage = brand consistency across multiple looks

For Any Multi-Day Shoot:
Overnight security + standing sets + infrastructure = efficiency and budget control

Whether you're producing a cookbook, shooting an e-commerce catalog, creating a commercial campaign, or filming content across multiple lifestyle sets, Propaganda Image Works provides the space, amenities, and rental flexibility to execute ambitious visions without compromise.

Studio Features That Made This Project Possible:

  • 3,000 square feet of open shooting space

  • High ceilings with professional lighting grid

  • Climate-controlled environment year-round

  • Flexible rental packages (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly)

  • Secure facility with overnight storage

  • Pre-production and build days available

  • Multiple electrical drops and power capacity

  • Drive-in access for large props and sets

  • Kitchen/prep area for food styling

  • Conveniently located in Clearfield, serving greater Salt Lake City

Ready to Elevate Your Next Project?

If your production demands space, flexibility, and professional infrastructure, let's talk about how Propaganda Image Works can support your vision.

Contact us to schedule a studio tour, discuss your project needs, or check availability.

Project Credits

Author: Michelle Wright
Publisher: Heidi Gordon
Photography: Shane Huntsman
Retouching: Easton Madsen
Styling: Alexandra Bingham
Studio: Propaganda Image Works, Clearfield, Utah

A decorated dining table with assorted desserts, surrounded by vintage chairs, set against a warm-toned wall with empty picture frames, flowers, and lit candles.