Food Styling and Photography Workshop
One this I love about photography is that I get to work with my hands and be fully immersed in my subject. This year, I want to push my creative boundaries by setting goals to experiment with medium-format film using my heirloom Rolleiflex and complete a monthly photo challenge (stay tuned for that!).
My lens is often directed at travel, nature, and botanical scenery, so I want to step out of the garden and explore different subjects, including street photography, portraits, and food. Since flowers and food go hand in hand, I decided to begin my exploration with food photography, so I joined a food styling & photography workshop hosted by Amsterdam-based photographer Marleen Visser.
Living a creative life requires time, energy, and dedication, which can be challenging to prioritize while juggling client work. In 2024, I set a goal to prioritize my personal projects and creative development. After eight years of freelancing as a writer and photographer, I started to feel stuck. I spent too many days in long meetings, trapped behind a glaring screen. With a fresh start and renewed focus, this year, I am diving deep into my photography. This is my longest creative passion and professional skill that was somewhat put on hold as I advanced my commercial work as a copywriter and creative director. So this year, I am committed to push my creative boundaries by setting goals to experiment with medium-format film using my heirloom Rolleiflex and complete a monthly photo challenge (stay tuned for that!).
I needed to go offline, pause, reflect, and (re)discover my passion for photography. One thing I love about photography is that I get to work with my hands and be fully immersed in my subject — joining a food photography workshop was the perfect way to spark new creative inspiration! Many thanks to Marleen for hosting this workshop and to Fotolab Kieke for organizing the #womeninart events this year.
REFLECTIONS
This food photography workshop offered smart tips for transitioning into a culinary mindset. Our host offered a variety of fruits and vegetables and props for styling. Of course, the Floridian in me was immediately drawn to the blood oranges. It was a cold winter afternoon, and I could not wait to slice open a juicy orange and take in the sweet fruity scent. Along the way, I realized I accidentally created a new mocktail too!
Most of my work is shot outdoors in a documentary style. I love exploring nature's different viewpoints and capturing the raw essence of a plant or botanical scene in natural light, with little or no styling. On the other hand, food photography requires set planning and styling the ingredients, (re)arranging the composition, and incorporating a variety of materials to tell the story.
Our workshop was short and sweet, with just enough time to spark inspiration and complete a photo challenge that encouraged us to create with a different perspective. We were able to set up by the window and use natural light I love how our scene started simple and turned messy as we layered textures and tried different compositions.
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLING TIPS
Prepare your lighting. Natural light is my bestie, so we made sure to get a spot by the window. Alternatively, there are many studio lighting options to explore (this could be a great workshop topic itself!).
Simplicity is key. Use a neutral background to add texture without distracting from the colorful fruit and herbs.
Experiment with color theory. Try using contrasting colors to create more visual impact. For example, here we used orange, green rosemary, and dark purple grapes which are on opposing sides of the color wheel.
Switch up the composition. Try shooting overhead, 45-degree angle, closeup angled shots, and remember the rule of thirds.
Details matter. Use the natural texture, color, and shape to create playfulness. Add toppings and garnishes, or catch the steam rising from hot dishes.
Play with depth of field. To create visual interest, I used a wide aperture (low f-stop) to blur the background and draw attention to the main subject. Alternatively, use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop), so more of the scene is in focus.
Less is more. Avoid cluttering the frame with too many elements. Keep the composition clean and focused on the main subject. Sometimes, less is more when it comes to food photography, and you can always start simple and build up more storytelling details. It’s sure to get messy in the end!
Like any skill, food photography takes practice to master. I’m going to continue to experiment with different techniques, learn from my mistakes and stay curious to try new things!
Are you experimenting with living a more creative life this year? I’m curious about what mediums you’re experimenting with. Join the conversation on Instagram.
