Earlier this month, I taught a food photography class at the Los Angeles Center of Photography.

I had students come from all over Southern California to attend this one day workshop on learning the business of (food) photography and how to take great food shots. They ranged from professional photographers wanting to take their photos to the next level, to emerging shooters looking to elevate their skills. I even had a neuroscientist! Um…..who picked the better career path……?

Below, Santa Barbara based food stylist, Claire Stancer, sets up a lovely summer watermelon and feta salad for the pro-demo. This is where I showed the students some different options for doing quick, but creative, images when you have to shoot under pressure (or, when you have to teach under pressure! 😉)

For the practice round, students were charged with doing the ubiquitous “fruit” still life, by bringing their own ingredients and tabletop pieces. Stylist Robin Turk added plenty of groovy props for the students to use and shared really helpful tips on how to enhance your images just by pulling in good pieces, like an interesting bowl or nicely textured surface.

Each student grabbed a spot at a shooting station, or even on the floor, to get the creative juices flowing! They each got some really nice shots and it was rewarding to watch them evolve from when they started with frame #1 to the last image – and great improvements were made in a short period of time!

It was my first class with LACP, and I was very happy to be affiliated with the organization (as they are doing great things in the LA photo community). Thank you Brandon and Kasia for all your help putting the class together!

You can learn more about the team involved at:

Caren Alpert: http://carenalpert.com/

Robin Turk: http://beautifuleyestyle.blogspot.com/

Claire Stancer: www.Ehclaire.com