Foodie Blogging Etiquette?

OK, so now we've got to worry about snapping pictures as we log in material for our blogs ......!?! Ruh-roh! In the Sunday, February 22nd Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, restaurant critic China Millman delves into the subject of food photo policy.
You have to be utterly amazed at the number & variety of foodie blogs floating around out there. They all have their own complement of pictures. This blogster has learned to snap a few pictures and move on ....... It does take some getting used to and requires that you show respect for your fellow travelers!
The majority of photos taken here deal with farmers' markets and other public places, but occasionally pictures are taken in retail establishments. I've asked staff at most stores if it's alright to take display pictures for a "local food blog" and have been told "ok" so far. Looking back over the blog, you'd have to agree that we present a positive spin on local food and the sources that bring it to us. Unlike some of the people in the PG column, I've never been inclined to photograph food in a restaurant or large grocery chain. But of course, this blog is about LOCAL. Most "locals" are proud of their products & welcome the publicity!

Which brings us to a recent local experience. Last Monday, we visited The SpringHouse in Eighty-Four, PA. after delivering lambs to the Eighty-Four Auction. It's a great place to stop in to get lunch or sometimes just milk, cheese, baked goods, & their own deli/catering foods. You won't be disappointed. The great thing is that you can "come as you are", since plenty of farmers and livestock haulers run over for a meal when they're coming and going to the auction just across the road.
This is a great family run operation with the farm up on the hill behind the store/restaurant. On the way home, we stopped & picked up some Walnut Creek butter at The Kauffman Family Marketplace on Route 18 in Burgettstown. Stop in and stock up on a few items when you're going past here. They also carry local meats from Albert's Packing in Taylorstown,PA, more local foods from Holmes County, OH, as well as local honey & Brunton Dairy products.
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Back to the PG story for a second. Did you see the phrase "food porn" in the column? The first time that phrase popped up was quite disconcerting. It was in the sidebar of a foodie blog with the title " Vegan Food Porn 2008 ". Whoa ---- what hesitation clicking on that! But go ahead ..... it's nothing but a gorgeous collection of food pictures.