ADVANCED FOOD VIDEOGRAPHY AND LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP - FINLAND 2025
Want to learn how to create food photos and recipe reels full of story and emotion?
Eager to escape to stunning Finland and immerse yourself in a rich and nourishing creative experience with like-minded foodies and photographers?
Ready to style gatherings and build your portfolio with food, travel, lifestyle and landscape shots?
Then listen up because this special WORKSHOP may be just what you’re after…
Together with experienced and incredibly talented food photographer, cookbook author and videographer Viola Virtamo I will be hosting a 3-day workshop on the pretty outskirts of Helsinki, Finland. This is a learning experience like no other, where heart-felt creatives who want to delve deeper into food photography, styling, visual story telling and video creation can come together and make the most of the gorgeous, crisp, natural Scandinavian light. It's your chance to develop an eye for lifestyle and landscape photography too and build a well-rounded, gorgeous portfolio. This is an intimate small group workshop where you’ll receive tons of support, guidance and encouragement to explore the edges of your creativity and visual story-telling skills. Want to find out more? Then please read on...
ADVANCED FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY AND VISUAL STORY-TELLING workshop SCHEDULE
DAY 1
When: Wednesday, June 4th, 7pm - 9pm
Schedule: Arrival and welcome dinner and drinks
We look forward to meeting you at 7pm on Wednesday, June 4th for introductions, drinks, dinner and lots of chatter about food and photography.
Where: Viola’s stunning village home garden, 20 minutes from Helsinki (please get in touch for location details)
DAY 2
When: Thursday, June 5th, 10am - 5pm
Schedule: We will meet at Viola’s home on the outskirts of Helsinki. In the morning we will style and photograph sweet foods with lots of hands on practice.
We will break for a light lunch.
In the afternoon we will venture into Viola’s garden to develop our eye for outdoor and lifestyle photography and video creation.
Where: Viola’s home, approximately 20 minutes from Helsinki (please get in touch for exact location)
DAY 3
When: Friday, June 6th, 10am - 9pm
Schedule: We will meet at Viola’s home and from there head to the river to style, film and photograph an outdoor picnic and lifestyle scene.
We will break for a light lunch.
In the afternoon we will venture to a Helsinki beauty spot to create a cinematic vlog style film as well as photograph the landscape to create stunning lifestyle images.
Thereafter, everyone will be given time to unwind before we get back together for a joint evening meal.
Where: Wider area of Helsinki (please get in touch for location details)
DAY 4
When: Saturday, June 7th, 10am - 1pm
Schedule: We will meet at Viola’s home where we’ll explore editing our videos in Premier Pro before completing the teaching session with a final photoshoot focusing on savoury foods.
We will break for our farewell lunch after which the workshop concludes.
Where: Wider area of Helsinki (please get in touch for location details)
FINLAND FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY and story-telling workshop FAQS
WHAT ABOUT TRAVEL, IS IT INCLUDED?
We recommend flying into Helsinki for this workshop. Viola’s home and surrounding area will be the main location of the teaching sessions and is around 20 minutes outside Helsinki.
We are happy to help arrange travel from Helsinki to Viola’s home and/or link you up with other attendees so you can take taxis together.
Please note that your travel costs to and from the workshop location are NOT included in our workshop package, though we will cover costs to the Helsinki beauty spot on Friday, June 6th.
IS ACCOMMODATION INCLUDED?
No, it is not, but we are happy to send through recommendations and link you up with other attendees if you wish to find shared accommodation.
ARE MEALS INCLUDED?
Included: We will prepare a light vegetarian lunch each day and offer snacks, tea, coffee and water throughout the teaching sessions. There is also a joint dinner served on Wednesday and Friday evenings. All these meals are included in your workshop package.
Not included: Breakfasts (all) and dinner on Thursday are not included and neither are alcoholic beverages, though you are welcome to bring your own!
WHERE IS THE RETREAT LOCATED?
Most of the teaching sessions will take place in Viola's stunning village home on the outskirts of Helsinki.
We will also venture to some scenic beauty spots near Viola’s home which are reachable by foot and arrange transport to our filming spot in Helsinki on Friday.
DO YOU CATER FOR SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS?
The food served by Viola and Kimberly will be mainly vegetarian, with some fish served too.
Please, if you have any dietary restrictions, allergies etc., let us know and we’ll be happy to discuss your needs further.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
Due to the logistics of this retreat, we do not offer refunds. Hence, we recommend you make sure the workshop dates fit into your schedule and advise you book travel insurance too.
IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS OR ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHERS?
We are keeping this workshop small and intimate so that everyone’s learning needs can be attended to. As this workshop is designed for more seasoned creatives you need to own a DSLR or mirrorless camera with video recording functions and be confident shooting in manual mode to get the most out of this experience. You do not need videography experience to attend this workshop!
If you’re not sure whether this workshop is for you, please contact us. We'd be happy to arrange a discovery call and answer any queries you might have.
DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?
We sure do. Please complete the contact form below and we’ll send that through as quickly as we can.
YOUR INVESTMENT
From £2097 (Early bird offer, valid until 25/04/25)
Please complete the contact form below if you wish to receive further information or want to book your spot.
WHO ARE YOUR TEACHERS?
Kimberly Espinel - I’m an award winning food photographer, stylist, blogger and educator, having taught 1000s of students from around the world food photography and styling. I run a successful food photography business and I’d love to teach you all I know. I adore playing with light and shadow, creating dark and moody as well as light and bright shots. I’m known for my playful approach to colour theory and composition and supporting students in reaching their creative potential.
Viola Minerva Virtamo - Viola is a Finnish lifestyle photographer and videographer. In addition, she works as a graphic designer, director and food stylist and has written 6 books of her own. Viola is very passionated about telling visual stories through her work and finding inspiration from in light and nature. Running both a lifestyle publishing house and her own one-woman business, she believes passion, creativity and curiosity for learning are the key elements of a successful business and happy life.
NEED MORE CONVINCING?
Check out our two food photography and videography retreats here and here.
You can find Viola on instagram here and on her blog here.
Please complete the form below if you have any questions, want to get the full schedule or wish to book yourself a spot. I can't wait to hear from you! (Please double check there are no typos in your e-mail address ;))