Objective:
Learn how to use light, styling, composition, and storytelling to create compelling food photographs. Through demonstrations, hands-on practice, and personalized critique, participants will gain the confidence to photograph food for personal projects, family recipes, cookbooks, blogs, social media, or possible exhibition opportunities.
Course Description:
Food has the power to tell stories, preserve traditions, and bring people together. Whether you’re photographing a treasured family recipe, creating content for a cookbook or blog, or simply want to make more engaging photographs at home, this immersive weekend workshop will help you build both technical skills and creative confidence.
Presented in collaboration with Colorado Photographic Arts Center, this workshop offers participants the opportunity to create new work for possible submission to ASLD’s upcoming Foodtography exhibition.
On Saturday, instructor Chelsea Chorpenning will demonstrate professional techniques for lighting, styling, and composing food photographs using curated food setups and shared props. Participants will photograph a variety of scenes while exploring natural and artificial light, composition, color, and visual storytelling. Participants are welcome to bring one small dish, ingredient, or personal prop to incorporate into the day’s exercises.
Between Saturday and Sunday, participants will create a short series of photographs inspired by a favorite recipe, family tradition, or memorable meal.
On Sunday, participants will photograph their own food story before taking part in a group critique and individualized feedback session designed to strengthen both their technical skills and creative vision.
By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a stronger understanding of food photography, greater confidence in creating photographs at home, and new images for personal projects or possible exhibition submission.
Materials Needed:
Digital camera recommended (mirrorless, DSLR, or smartphone)
Laptop, tablet, smartphone, or camera for reviewing and sharing images
Notebook and pen
Participants are encouraged to bring one small dish, ingredient, or personal prop for Saturday and a complete dish or food story to photograph during Sunday’s workshop.
Lunch for Saturday.
If you have questions about camera equipment or resources, contact us at edu@cpacphoto.org in advance of the class.
