FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE

Practical hands-on course covering basic to advanced aspects of culinary photography. Covering the foundations of food photography and advanced styling techniques.

  • Outcome-Based Learning: Students will create professional-quality food images and gain a comprehensive understanding of the genre.

  • Hybrid Course: Includes an introduction and review on Zoom, complemented by extended access to online recordings, class notes, and bonus material.

  • Comprehensive Techniques: Learn foundational compositional approaches, lighting methods, and advanced styling workflows.

  • Practical Workshop: Two immersive days photographing food in a studio environment.

About the Food Photography Course

This hybrid course will immerse you in the art of culinary photography for editorial, social media, and commercial use. It covers all aspects, from planning shoots, styling food, and lighting techniques to editing and retouching workflows. Highlights include two immersive days of hands-on shooting at the DPC studio, supported by practical modules developed alongside food photographer Winifred Harms.

  • Learn essential techniques for photographing food for different contexts, such as advertising, menus, and publications.

  • Two-day practical sessions provide hands-on experience shooting under expert guidance in a professional studio setting.

  • Small classes (10 participants max) ensure personal attention and an engaging learning environment.

Presented by Winifred Harms

Winifred, an experienced food stylist and photographer, is a category winner of the prestigious International Pink Lady Photography Awards. With her expertise in styling and image editing, she brings invaluable insights into the intricate art of culinary photography.

What our students say:

 

This course elevated my food photography to a professional level. I now work with restaurants, food bloggers, and brands.

Amora Adank Erasmus

I recently attended the food photography course and I highly recommend it. Danie and the team are always so generous and in each session share so much with us about composition and lighting and how to improve your technique to get the best angles. Whether you’re a foodie or not; this course is a must.

Thanu

Course Overview

1. Foundational Aspects: Preparation and Introduction

Build a strong foundation and prepare participants for practical photography sessions.

  • Interactive Zoom Class: A 2-hour evening class introducing culinary photography concepts. Gain an understanding of composition, lighting, and styling techniques.
  • Online Resources: Access to pre-recorded lessons covering essential equipment, creative approaches, and workflows.
  • Focus Areas: Learn the foundations of food photography, including planning, styling, and specialised equipment (e.g., macro lenses, reflectors).

2. Two-Day Practical Workshop

Experience professional techniques in a real-world environment under expert guidance.

  • Day 1: Introduction to Food Photography: Cover equipment basics, lighting setups, and styling techniques, complemented by visual class presentations, lighting diagrams, and summary notes.
    • Outcomes: Inspiration, camera settings, lighting techniques, food styling, and composition.
  • Day 2: Practical Food Styling and Advanced Shots: Focus on editorial and storytelling aspects of culinary photography, including creative shoots of produce, ingredients, and final dishes.

3. Editing and Review

Refine images through expert-led feedback and editing demonstrations.

  • Image Review: Participants upload their images for critique, focusing on composition, lighting, and styling.
  • Interactive Editing Session: A 4-hour Zoom class showcasing Lightroom Classic editing techniques, with live demonstrations on participant images.
  • Additional Content: Access to recorded sessions covering end-to-end workflows, from image selection to client delivery.

4. Creative Culinary Shoots (Optional Modules)

Further develop your portfolio with focused modules

  • Dainties, Sweets, and Savouries
  • Chocolates and Confections
  • Hamburgers, Pizzas, and Foldovers

Key aspects

The most important aspects covered in the Architecture-Interior Course:

  • A complete overview of how to use specialised equipment, including lighting gear, reflectors, and macro lenses.
  • Planning compositional aspects and styling food for different purposes.
  • Proper lighting techniques for natural and studio light setups.
  • Multiple exposures and overlay techniques for vibrant and detailed images.
  • Practical shoots: Creative food setups, plated dishes, beverages, and desserts.
  • Lightroom and Photoshop workflows: Covering all the important aspects of image selection, retouching, and delivering high-quality images.
  • Real-time and constructive feedback during review sessions.

Who Should Attend?

Intermediate to advanced photographers who want to:

  • Master professional culinary photography.
  • Gain hands-on experience through real-world shoots.
  • Refine their editing skills for consistent, high-quality output.

Course Format and Duration

The course includes multiple phases:

  • a Zoom-based introduction, a two-day practical workshop, and a Zoom-based review session.
  • Extended access to supplementary resources, such as pre-recorded tutorials and detailed notes, ensures continued learning.

Cost and Venue

  • Price: R6 200 per person. R700 discount for ex-DPC students.
  • Venue: Practical workshop at St. Turin Studio. Class links and venue addresses will be communicated before the course commences.

Requirements

  • A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls.
  • Basic knowledge of camera settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc.).
  • Lightroom Classic installed (prior knowledge recommended).
  • Optional but helpful: Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop.

Upcoming Food Photography Workshops

  • Starting 10 July 2025
REGISTER HERE