WHAT HAPPENS AT A FOOD STYLING AND FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP?
After months of talking about it and planning like crazy behind the scenes the 2-day food styling and food photography workshop I ran with Aimee from Twigg Studios PLUS the 1-day small business mastermind I facilitated with Sorrel Roberts came and went in a flash. It was the most international group of eager food photography students and small business owners yet - with attendees coming to my cosy London studio from Slovakia, Dubai, Morocco, Denmark, Canada and the USA as well as good old London ;). How cool is that?!? :) To be honest, I could not have asked for a better group of fellow creatives and food lovers to hang out with over those three days.
I had a really super lovely time and thought perhaps you'd like to see what happened during the three day workshop. Maybe you’d like to discover what a food photography workshop and small business mastermind really looks like. Which is why I’ve put this blog post together, so that you can look behind the scenes and relive it with us. Sound good? Then please read on ;)!
London food photography workshop - with muesli by our sponsor Dee Muesli
London food photography workshop - with props by our sponsors Leu Ceramics and Factured Goods, blue salt by Sous Chef and backdrop by Captured by Lucy
DAY 1 - FOOD STYLING AND FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
We kicked off the food photography workshop with a talk on camera basics, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, the works! Thereafter we spend considerable time looking at light and shadow and what we can do as food photographers and stylists to use both to create the food images we want. After styling a breakfast scene and putting our camera basics lesson into practice, attendees were asked to create their own breakfast scene using a variety of props, backdrops and delicious (vegan) food. Though the attendees all had different levels of experience, the end result was stunning as each creative shared their knowledge and skillset wholeheartedly.
Next, we spoke about photographing tricky food and explored ways of making it look delicious. After more hands on practice, we took a break for lunch, heading to the gorgeous BABUR restaurant for a costum-made 2-course vegan meal.
With our bodies nourished, we were able to focus fully on the last section of the class - Aimee’s cake decorating and cake photography lesson. With more hands on practice and exploring the use of a variety of backdrops to style the cake, the day came to a close. However, attendees left with a camera full of beautiful shots and probably the best good bags EVER!
Food food photography workshop - with props by sponsor Leu Ceramics and blue salt by Sous Chef
London food photography workshop - Attendee Pat working the flatlay.
DAY 2 - VISUAL STORYTELLING
On day two our focus shifted towards visual storytelling where we use a set of images to tell a story about food - from gorgeous produce to delicious recipe. On this occasion, Aimee and I decided to prepare a vegan kale and walnut pesto with vegan beetroot gnocchi, perfect for the Autumn! Our attendees had ample input in the styling of the shots and together we discussed how the visual story would unfold. You can see the end result here.
During the shoot we went over camera setting again and again to ensure everyone continued to feel confident about shooting in manual mode. We pushed our students' skills further by working with changing light conditions and capturing movement in food photography.
We took a comfort break and headed out to MAMMA DOUGH restaurant for the best sourdough pizza in London! When we returned, we had the afternoon to delve deeper into Lightroom editing before calling it a day with yet another glorious goodie bag.
DAY 3 - SMALL BUSINESS MASTERMIND
This was the first time I ran a small business mastermind and the first time working with friend and business coach Sorrel Roberts. Until then, I’d run numerous 2 hour evening or afternoon sessions focusing on instagram, blogging and social media only, but I always felt that I wasn’t giving my attendees a holistic, rounded approach to growing their small creative, food or online blog or business. That changed with this mastermind!
During the mastermind the focus was on identifying your strength and the stumbling blocks in growing your business, exploring ways to overcome them and with the support of your peers, set clear, achievable, concrete goals. This may sound dry - I don’t know - but what I can say is that it was an emotional, thought provoking and inspiring day, which I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to facilitate with Sorrel (you rock!) and share with six unique, giving, inspiring and talented women. Thank you!
Before I thank all the generous sponsors, without whom this workshop could never have been even half as good and tell you how you can join my next food styling workshop, I wanted to say a big, massive THANK you to our fabulous creatives who came from near and far to share these days with me, Aimee and Sorrel.
Kate - You are more talented than you probably know and I want more of your golden balls!
Leoni - Your energy is infectious and you make me smile! A LOT! Keep at it girl.
Monika - An incredible talent and warm soul! Please check out her instagram feed, it’s beautiful.
Melanie - You inspire me. Such an honour to have you.
Pat - It was a joy to teach you. Come stop by when you’re this side of the pond again.
Sasha - I can’t wait to see where this workshop takes you.
Silvia - With razor sharp focus, the sky will be the only limit.
London food styling workshop - shot includes ceramics by sponsors, NOM Living and Leu Ceramics and blue salt by Sous Chef.
OUR GENEROUS FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY AND VISUAL STORY TELLING SPONSORS
To work with solopreneurs, small businesses and small creative businesses is a huge joy. Thank you all so much for gifting us and our attendees with your beautiful (and delicious) goodies. This workshop could never have been what it is without your input.
LEU CERAMICS for your pretty hand-made little bowls. They photograph gorgeously!
DEE MUESLI your muesli is insanely good. I can’t stop eating it!
CAPTURED BY LUCY so much fun shooting with your backdrops. They’re really cool!
NOM LIVING always a joy to use your stunning ceramics. Thank you!
FACTURED GOODS our attendees were spoiled because your ceramics are beautiful.
THE CHIA SEED COMPANY my chia of choice. Thank you for filling our attendees’ goody bags with your products. YUM!
MISS TEA SMITH your teas are delicious and will bring joy to our attendees for weeks to come.
SOUS CHEF your salt and pepper is a cut above the rest, SO good and gorgeous to photograph!
RAW HALO CHOCOLATE delicious, vegan chocolate. In short, I want more!
RAW VIBRANT LIVING your energy balls kept us going through the afternoon slump. Thank you.
TIDEFORD ORGANICS thank you for the delicious vegan pesto. It came in very handy for our visual story telling.
NKUKU GOLD STAR SPOONS they are adorable and you made our attendees goody bags shine bright.
WHOLE EARTH nut butters. Soooooo delicious. Making my and our attendees’ toast extra lush at the mo’.
WANT TO ATTEND ONE OF MY FOOD STYLING AND FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP?
Then please check my food photography workshop page here OR complete the contact form below. I’d gladly keep you posted when new dates are released :).
I can't wait to hear from you and teach you all I know.