Inspiration, growth and conversations! The Food Photography Corner Retreat I attended in May 2022 in Utah was everything and more I could have asked for. Read all about my trip overseas for this insightful workshop series over multiple days and the beautiful community I found along the way.
Invest in yourself
When I started this food photography journey, I tried to learn everything for free. Yes, I searched on the internet like crazy for articles, videos and everything that would help me learn and grow.
Although you’ll find free resources galore online, there are resources I would pay for any day. One of the most important things to invest my money in is courses that give me an in-depth look into different aspects of food photography and business tailored to my needs. So I took the leap and invested in an in-person food photography retreat over multiple days in Utah. From the hands-on workshops and courses to the inspiring conversations, it was so much more than I could have asked for.
Let me give you a glimpse by sharing my experiences and the delicious food photos taken during The Food Photography Retreat.
The Food Photography Corner Retreat
The Food Photography Corner is a community created by three food photographers. Mikyla, Rosslyn and Sloane are successful businesswomen in food photography and blogging and opened their world of wisdom to build a strong community. Their uplifting and open approach created a great community where food creatives can connect and grow together.
To take it even further, they started to organise so-called retreats, where a limited number of food photographers and bloggers come together for a multi-day intense workshop series. After missing the first one in the fall of 2021, I wouldn’t miss the next one.
So I signed up for their second retreat in Park City, Utah, which just happened in May 2022. Next to meeting fellow food photographers live after only knowing them over Instagram, the program was filled with so much valuable content.
The FPC Workshops
Shooting with hard light
One of the many favourite things I experienced at the retreat was of course the workshops. Because they focused on things a lot of food photographers struggle with. So we started it out with a lesson in shooting with hard light. And what better way to do so than by styling drinks to catch the light and glasses that cast beautiful shadows. With the help of artificial light and a few props, the photos turned out beautiful, and I feel confident now to shoot beautiful and summery shots like these.
On the hunt for affordable food photography props that elevate your food photography? Read this blog post with all my favourite shops as well as tips and tricks on saving money while building your prop collection.
Restaurant photography
Shooting in restaurants can be a tricky thing. Taking photos in low light, shooting without disturbing the guest and catching the atmosphere of the place is intimidating. We had the opportunity to shoot at Hearth & Hill Restaurant in Park City, Utah. A beautiful small town place with delicious food and lovely staff. I feel confident to pitch to restaurants and offer my services now. Moreover, I have these beautiful photos for my portfolio to send along with my proposal.
Table Scene Photo Shoot
Who doesn’t love a busy table scene, right? It tells a story and shows the food and/or a brand in this case, wine from Cakebread Cellars, in action. Good thing the hosts didn’t miss out on styling a beautiful food scene at the place we stayed.
Process & Video Shoot
Since social media especially Instagram is moving towards video content (Hello, Reels!), a video workshop came in handy. We learned everything, from setting the light and framing to filming scenes and editing. This workshop left no stones unturned!
Fake it till you make it
We also played with some ice cream in our next workshop. Well, at least that’s what it looks like in the final shot. This soft-serve ice cream is actually shaving cream. Perfect for shooting without the rush of the ice cream melting away. It’s all about the practice, right?
The FPC Business Courses
Next to the hands-on food photography workshops, there was no shortage of courses regarding business too. From pitching to brands to pricing yourself, it covered everything. I especially loved the group work where we could take the knowledge into action while discussing different approaches.
The FCP Community
The lovely hosts Mikyla, Rosslyn and Sloane also organised activities like yoga, meditation, dinners, a cooking class, and even going out in between workshops. I will definitely never forget the cooking class at Mindful Cuisine in Park City, where I made pasta from scratch for the first time. Handmade pasta, mouthwatering sauces and countless good conversations later, my belly and heart were full. To say we had so much fun is an understatement.
Last but not least, the most valuable thing about The Food Photography Corner Retreat was the fellow attendees. Spending this time with other food photographers and bloggers was the mental breakthrough I needed. Conversations about ideas, experiences and failures showed me that I'm not alone in my thoughts. And with this community, I can overcome my fears and tackle every task this food photography journey has to offer. You can’t really put a price tag on that.
Are you interested in attending a Food Photography Corner Retreat yourself?
Take the plunge and get all the info about the next one here.
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