It’s live, baby!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Artificial Light for Food Photographers has launched!!!
I designed this class for the me of 10 years ago— vehemently clinging to my “natural light shooter only” identity out of fear and because I could never achieve the results I wanted when I tried using artificial light.
I didn’t want to listen to hours and hours of people talking about the inverse square law and the physics of light— I just wanted to know how to create the gorgeous images I saw in my head but couldn’t accomplish in real life whenever I used a strobe.
I wanted to understand WHY my light wasn’t working.
If that sounds familiar then you’re in the right place.
This class was designed to be approachable, easy to follow and fun and to get you shooting with artificial light….AND UNDERSTANDING IT…quickly.
❤️❤️❤️ Link to class in bio.
If you’ve ever looked at your food photos and thought:
“This just isn’t what I pictured in my head…”
You’re not alone — and you’re not doing it wrong.
You’re probably just missing a few key tools that no one ever taught you.
I made a FREE 1-hour mini class called Understanding & Elevating Composition.
And inside, I show you how to take the ideas in your head and turn them into scroll-stopping images with story and soul.
This mini class is practical and creative — and it’s the perfect sneak peek of what I teach inside my full course.
📸 You’ll learn:
✔️ The 5 pillars of an impactful composition
✔️ How to create more emotional, story-driven images
✔️ Real-life examples from my own work and step-by-step breakdowns
Instant access. Zero cost.
➡️ LINK IN BIO — come grab it.
Your best photos are closer than you think. ❤️
#foodphotography #foodstyling #compositionphotography #foodblogger #foodphotographytips #freeclass #photographyeducation
Such a MAGICAL photo shoot for @the.humble.mug , where I did my very best to capture the quality, lusciousness, and utter beauty of their teas and apothecary.
This woman-owned business is not only my favorite local spot to hang out, but it carries the MOST DELICIOUS tea blends I have ever had… in addition to art, gorgeous pottery, ritual items and tarot decks, so basically it’s my version of heaven on earth.
We did 2 shoots to encapsulate the look and feel of the brand— one at the shop and one at my studio. All of the images here, with the exception of the last 3, were done in my space and use our backdrops— specifically, George, Bruno, Sophia, Dorothy and Odette. I wanted to stick with a warm and textured look so that the overall branding felt cohesive. The real goal here was to convey the magic of the business as a whole. Hopefully, the mission was accomplished. 😉
➡️ All surfaces used are tagged here so you can click to shop those backdrops.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: a monochromatic color palette can be the most gorgeous way to highlight your subject.
Not always, certainly, but often.
I love challenging myself to use multiple shades of a single color in an image because it forces me to focus on light, shadow and texture as the sole vehicles to bring out the beauty of my subject.
In this image, I’m using our Sherlock backdrop— one of the beauties Joe created in our most recent collection.
➡️ click to shop our Sherlock surface
I’ll be honest— this particular backdrop, (our Thelma surface) isn’t really my style but I always encourage my students to go beyond their comfort zone when styling a shot and decided to follow my own advice. And you know what? I dig it!! I love how the bright colors interact with the hard light, sprinkles and cake. It feels like a party.
➡️ click to shop our Thelma surface
Workshops in my Vermont studio are part learning, part creative reset and part bonding with fellow students. There’s also good food, chill vibes, many “aha”moments, some laughs, zero ego and probably me swearing at least once.
If that sounds like your scene, come join us.
➡️ Website link in bio (check out our “workshops” page once you’re on there)
HOW DO WE STAY OKAY IF OUR BUSINESS IS NOT?
This is the question of the ages, it seems. And one that I don’t really have an answer for (though I’m actively trying to find one!)
I’m watching business after business close their doors and, 9 times out of 10, it’s not because they are doing something “wrong”, it’s because the system is broken.
And yet, if your business is struggling, it often feels so personal. So shameful. So embarrassing, like it’s a reflection on YOU. (It’s not.)
I feel like there has to be a better way of doing things. One that doesn’t put us in a constant state of stress and comparison and exhaustion.
I don’t have the answers or a plan, I just have a sense that the answers lie in community, in giving back and in working together.
I’m dreaming of a retreat for women business owners where we DON’T talk about how to get more followers or starting a membership or whatever else but INSTEAD share our knowledge, have collaborative brainstorming and use our superpowers to lift each other up.
I’m all in for that kind of business group.
What are YOUR thoughts?
How do YOU stay okay if your business is not?
📸 SOFT & LIGHT PHOTOS
To get this look, do 2 (actually 3) things:
- Make your light source LARGE in relation to your subject
- Open up your aperture (the bokeh adds to the soft, airy look of the image)
- Not mentioned in the video, but pick backdrops and props that are also light in color and tone to help lift the shot. In this case, I used our Echo backdrop, which is a soft gray water colored surface, and one of my faves in our Light category.
➡️ There are tons of learning options on our site and links are in our bio 😍
📸 In food photography, it’s all about TEXTURE which means we have to light our subject in a way that highlights that.
If you’re shooting straight on or at 3/4 angle, DO NOT light from the front because it will flatten your subject.
If you’re shooting overhead, DO NOT light from above. Instead, side light your subject which will highlight the texture of whatever you’re shooting.
The height of your light impacts this as well. If I’m shooting a monochromatic subject overhead, for example, (like walnuts) it’s going to be crucial to highlight the texture because otherwise the image is going to be dull and boring. And if I place my light too high it will start to fill in all the bumps and crevices, thereby flattening the image. So, instead, I bring my light to a lower angle so that it skims that subject and shows all the details.
➡️ Want more tips? Check out the class offerings in our bio.
📸 SHOOTING WITH NATURAL LIGHT??? Then make sure you…
Turn 👏🏻 off 👏🏻 ALL 👏🏻 other 👏🏻 lights!!!!
If you aren’t doing this already, then this is your lucky day because your images will immediately get better once you do.
The color temperature of your image will be more accurate and the dimension and texture of your subject will instantly improve.
Also, pro-tip: More light is NOT better!!! Shooting in a room with windows on all sides? This may sound like a dream shooting space but it’s actually not. It doesn’t do your subject any favors to flood it with light from all sides. Instead, pick ONE window, place your subject next to it and block the light coming from the other directions. Your subject will look SO much better if you shape your light thoughtfully.
If learning food photography is your jam then you should know I have TWO online classes dedicated to the topic:
➡️ The Art of Food Photography, which focuses on natural light (exposing for it, understanding it, shaping it), composition, color, prop styling, camera function, story telling and more.
➡️ Artificial Light for Food Photographers, which takes the fear out of working with strobe and gives you real, creative freedom. This is the class for all the folks who have stuck to natural light because artificial light has felt too overwhelming and confusing (which was me 10 years ago 🙋🏻♀️)
Both classes are linked in our bio, and you get 3 months access to The Photo Collective membership when you sign up (Zoom meetings! Direct feedback! Awesome community!)
However, if you know want the complete system (ie: both classes) there is a bundle just for you. It gets you everything and saves you $75. 😍
Ahhh, linens. They should be so simple and yet it often feels impossible to make them look natural in photos.
Here are my top 5 ways to incorporate them into my shots. 🙂
