Story on a Plate: Food Photography & Styling
Lesson Info
Shoot: Large Table Setting
Food styling photography isn’t just about taking a delicious image; it’s a way to tell a story about tastes, seasons, and aesthetics. Learn how to artfully capture that story in-camera and share your work with potential clients and collaborators.
In this course, you will learn how to craft a food story through images that are unique, intimate, and meaningful. Noted food photographers Todd Porter and Diane Cu will show you how to utilize natural light whether you are shooting at the table or in a restaurant. You’ll learn simple techniques for food styling that will keep your food fresh and believable on set. Todd and Diane will also share strategies for creating a thriving food photography business through their successful blend of online marketing and community building.
Whether you want to explore a new career in food photography or are seeking to improve your existing food styling skills, this course will arm you with the technical skills and industry knowledge you need to succeed.
Lessons
Class IntroductionLighting
Plating
Hero Shots
Motion in Restaurant
Portraiture
Restaurant Details
Documenting Food Stories
Food Lighting Clock
Lighting Q&A
Shoot: Cherries
Shoot: Dessert
Shoot: Savory Fried Chicken
Natural Food Styling
Shoot: Styled Chili
Shoot: Styled Salad
Shoot: Fried Chicken with Multiple Dishes
Shoot: Dessert with Multiple Dishes
Styling Workflow Between Photographer and Stylist
Shoot: Herb Still Life
Capturing Food on Location Part 1
Capturing Food on Location Part 2
Photographing in Restaurants: Lighting
Photographing in Restaurants: Plating
Photographing in Restaurants: Motion & Portraiture
Photographing in Restaurants: Hero Shots
Photographing in Restaurants: Restaurant Detail
Interview with Ethan Stowell
Q&A with Ethan Stowell
Expectations and File Distribution
Final Delivery and Building Relationships
Shoot: Multi Dish Dessert Part 1
Shoot: Multi Dish Dessert Part 2
Shoot: Fried Chicken with Drinks
Shoot: Large Table Setting
Shoot: Hand Model Holding a Pie
Shoot: Bread Making Scene
Shoot: Summer Tabletop Scene
Starting a Food Photography Business
Making a Living in Food Photography Part 1
Making a Living in Food Photography Part 2
Food Stories Through Moving Pictures
Sharing Food Stories & Life
Reviews
- <p>First, thank you to Diane, Todd and the CreativeLIVE team for a wonderful exploration of "shooting" food with artistry. This course offers the beginner and professional photographer many incites into the world of natural food photography. With some business and lifestyle tips the majority of this course showcases an effective natural shoot style that allows anyone to deliver wonderful images. The strongest point I found useful is to “find a voice” for the story, your images or your client. While I understand “finding the voice” when writing copy it is the realisation that any activity can have its own voice. Your voice can be the style of image you like, the shoes you wear, the books you read, etc. it is not limited to how loud you (or anyone else) shouts. Using general principles and building good habits through practise will allow you (and me) to achieve, not just find, success. The “lighting clock” is a useful shorthand helping communication with clients, producers and peers. The strong emphasis on practise, speed and taking advantage of any appropriate situation both improves productivity and reduces the impact on a client. Last but not the only other gem in this course is the bald (not a joke Todd) fact that any photography business was, is and will always be based on the relationship between the photographer and the client. Building a relationship is the best marketing device any photographer, food stylist, entrepreneur or creative mind can develop. Other courses offered by CreativeLIVE also stress the relationship aspect of good businesses as their best marketing asset. I highly recommend this particular course for lovers of (in no preferred order) food, photography and life. Thank you for reading and I hope you find your voice in all things. FJH...</p>
- Diane and Todd are amazing! They've held nothing back when giving the rest of us an honest, detailed look into what it means to be a food photographer. I've seen many seminars on the topic from different companies and photographers and this one is my favourite. I love their no fuss approach to food photography. It leaves me feeling like food photography is manageable without having to fuss with cameras and lighting gear that are outside of my budget. I love that Diane often mentions how there's more to food photography than the plated dish. And Todd is just adorable and has the cutest laugh! They're a fantastic team that are engaging and make it easy to learn from them. Highly recommend purchasing this course!
- <p>Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Thanks Diane and Todd for this great course. This was exactly what I'm looking for! And thanks for being so generous and inspiring.</p>