Everything you need to know to style, compose + photograph your unique food story.
What if you didn’t need to take a million lemon meringue shots to get it right?
JUST IMAGINE…
Nailing food composition became second nature and you wondered how you ever struggled in the first place?
You were more organised and went into the photo shoot with a clear vision for what you want (rather than winging it every time). You could achieve the right ‘feel’ for your images and tell a story with your photos.
You were able to define your personal style to make your food photography truly recognisable and memorable (and land you that dream gig!). Your portfolio was cohesive and represented your unique style and flair.
When shooting cup cakes, you could get into that creative ‘zone’ (which is when the best shots happen!).
I hear your frustrations!
“You love taking photos of waffles but you struggle to find fresh ideas to style and compose the shot.”
“You keep reverting back to the same old, familiar setups (plate in the foreground, glass in the background) because when you try something new it just doesn’t work out”.
Or you take no less than 60 shots and you still don’t LOVE any of them!
Your food photos all just look dull and same-samey. Or the food looks, well, a little brown. (Aka…boring)
Composition is an art form
You’re looking for a creative structure as you feel overwhelmed when trying to build a food scene from nothing.
(No more feeling lost during a food shoot and relying on the same composition, background and props as usual. Which results in boring and uninspiring apple pie shots)
That’s why I created Composition Essentials
To help you style, plan and compose your food shots like the professionals and magazines do.
This masterclass provides you with composition skills to empower you to know why certain tools work for certain imagery and recipes so you know which ones to select to create amazing food pics.
COMPOSITION ESSENTIALS IS THE CREATIVE STRUCTURE THAT’LL HELP YOU CHERRY PICK COMPOSITION THEORIES TO CREATE YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE.
Interested in seeing what one of our photoshoots will be like?
5 In-ACTION STYLING PHOTOSHOOTS
I’ll take you through 5 photoshoots to discover the creative process start to finish.
We’ll photograph, whiskey, fresh produce, two salads, a noodle soup and a monochromatic scene.
7 MODULES OF VIDEO TUTORIALS
We’ll learn foundational theories and build up to more advanced concepts.
I leave no stone unturned as we learn over 30 composition + styling tools and techniques.
INSTRUCTIONAL FOOD STYLING VIDEOS
I’ll show you how to make picture-perfect pastry techniques, gorgeous fluffy meringue, ways to cut ingredients for interest and two types of lemon twist garnishes.
5 CREATIVE PHOTO ASSIGNMENTS
You’ll be given a theme and theories to pick from to create your unique food stories. Share them with the community and get feedback.
FIND + EVOLVE YOUR STYLE
An entire module is dedicated to finding your trademark style (and know how to evolve it once you’ve nailed it).
You’ll know which techniques to use for the different narratives and moods you want to create, and how to follow the formulas but break the rules when you need to.
Your food won’t know what hit it!
Trip Down Memory Lane:
Now and Thens.
This is the power of understanding essential composition, and it’s waiting for you!
Powerful Colour
Discover how colour balance is the key to beautiful images and how to use colour composition creatively and effectively.
Using every colour doesn’t equal a better image. Learn colour theory to help you pick your colours powerfully.
Good-Looking Brown Food
Techniques to make brown food your bestie.
Let ‘brown’ and boring food be your nemesis no more! Style lasagna and casseroles like a boss.
Natural, Not Staged
Learn how the subtle art of intentional, yet natural styling and say goodbye to overdone and staged.
Organic movement is key for a visually pleasing image. Discover the tools to help you style naturally, without it feeling forced.
Impactful Simplicity
Make stellar images with minimal props to create that perfect ‘minimalist’ look.
You don’t need deep pockets to buy the most expensive props to make your food pics look good.
Winola –
Baker + Writer
Winola was creating some good work, but she felt like it was a fluke. She didn’t know why a photograph worked. After Composition Essentials, she learnt to be intentional with my composition to get the exact end result she wanted. Where she used to take 100+ images, now nails it in under 30 shots.
Janina –
Food Photographer
Janina got to a point where she wasn’t progressing and she felt stuck. She was on the verge of giving up. After taking Composition Essentials she now has found her style by discovering the power of cropping.
“People suddenly started commenting on my pictures and how much the quality of my food photography has changed in just very little time”.
Dani –
Food Photographer
Dani felt frustrated she couldn’t create the vision in her head and her photos never looked the way she wanted. This impacted on her creative process. Composition Essentials was the missing piece she needed to find her style. She’s now creating such beautiful and consistent work, she’s attracting new clients and getting paid.
Oriol –
Food Photographer
Before taking Composition Essentials, Oriol felt insecure about how to face a photo session. After the course, it’s given him the confidence to explore new paths and improve his skills in food photography.
CURRICULUM
This course will take you from foundational concepts to the high-level composition theories you need to succeed.
We’re going to focus in on the true goals of composition and what makes an image next-level,
(most of which you won’t find on the internet for free and for which you really need some professional guidance.)
SO – here’s the lowdown on what you’ll learn in each of the 7 modules:
- Bring Your Vision to Life
How to use composition tools, build a prop collection and find style. - Foundational Concepts
Essential composition every photographer needs. - Evolve Your Style
How to keep growing your style and improve your work. - How-to Food Styling
Make picture perfect pastry, gorgeous fluffy meringue, lemon twist and ways to cut for interest. - Advanced Concepts
The ‘science’ behind art and why certain things are more aesthetically pleasing. - Styling Photoshoots
How I build composition, plan for a shoot, pick my compositional techniques, light, tether and style. - Photo Assignments
Put everything you’re learning into practice with creative assignments.
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
I’m Rachel, an Aussie food photographer living in Vancouver. I love capturing visual stories that emphasize the beauty of real food. When I take photographs, I focus on the honest details and intricacies that connects us emotionally to food.
More importantly, though, I know what it’s like to sit in your 9-5 gig and want something more. I’ve taught over 1,000 students how to create beautiful food photography that makes their community and clients hungry! Many students have gone onto land new clients and magazine features, plus get their work into stock agencies.
My work has been featured in a range of magazines and publications all over the world.
Check out some of the brands I’ve worked with.
Understanding composition will help you produce better food photos, every time.
Before Composition Essentials
- Rehashing the same styling and composition and never finding your groove.
- Food photos that never turn out the way you want them to.
- Not knowing which tools would help me tell the right story and create seriously mouth-watering food photos.
- Unable to create your own vision and relying on copying other photographers.
- Zero troubleshooting for composition techniques. Resulting in the same old boring and forced shots.
- Your food photography is unmemorable.
After Composition Essentials
- You’ll feel at ease with the creative process rather than finding it downright daunting.
- Feeling excited and inspired to produce original imagery that’s always fresh.
- Make clear and conscious decisions about what you put in the frame and what to leave out.
- Other photographers start reaching out to you with compliments and messages of inspiration.
- Make all the right decisions for the story you’re telling, the season, the food, and even your own mood.
- Your images get noticed and increase your income!
