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Food and Light Photography Workshop

Rembrandt Art gallery Downtown Boulder

You know when you have experiences that are vibrant and life-changing? The ones that push you in directions that you never thought possible. Events that that give you a subtle nod that you are traveling in the right direction? Something very magical happened last week. That would be my trip to Boulder, CO for the Food and Light photography workshop.

There are many benefits to being a kid, the biggest one being that “work” for a kid is found in all forms of play. They learn to use their hands with Play-Doh, Lego and Crayola’s. They learn basic math by counting macaroni noodles or bright colored objects floating in a bath tub.

Colorado art gallery with Georgia O'Keefe quote

Somewhere along the way learning and play magically disappear from some people’s lives as they become adults. Let me tell you this: Each year I age I get wiser but my goal is to always stay a kid. I want to feel youthful, look youthful and never stop learning and discovering.

The nice thing about being an adult is that we can make our own choices. Sure we have many commitments that keep us from acting out all our whims, but sometimes we can make decisions that will impact our lives profoundly. Choices we HAVE to make happen. My choice was to attend this workshop.

Mountains and stores on Pearl Street, Boulder, CO

I hiked those mountains, stayed in the historic Hotel Boulderado, attended workshop lessons, shopped for new props, did yoga class at One Boulder Fitness, made new friends and re-connected with folks I have known.  It is amazing what you can pack into 2 days!

As soon as I saw the Tweet a few months back about a few days in Boulder learning photography and food styling skills from some of the best in the biz I knew I needed to go. As you all know my favorite place in the world is Telluride. The mountains, air and lifestyle call to me from wherever I am.

In this case I was beckoned not only by beautiful Colorado but by the fact that some very seasoned, highly creative food bloggers/photographers/stylists were offering a workshop. Our instructors were Jen Yu from Use Real Butter, Diane and Todd from White On Rice Couple, and Helen from Tartelette.

Downtown Boulder, CO art gallery seminarJen lives local to the area & she expertly made sure that all of our needs were met leading up to and while we were at the event. The most important was making sure our coffee needs were tended to. And they were! I must have stopped at Atlas Purveyors 3 times a day and my bill was magically “paid.” Thanks for that perk my friend.

Food and Light photography workshop dessert photosEach instructor brought their unique style to their presentations and teaching technique. A great part of the two day workshop was spent with hands on food styling and photography sessions. It was neat to learn concepts and then head into our naturally lit studio to shoot beautiful pastries and other goodies.

Vanilla and Chocolate cupcakes and fruit tarts

Part of our hands on learning each day was to photograph our lunches. I enjoyed both of my lunches with Ann-Marie from This Mama Cooks. We spent time together on the Egg Farm tour and Camp Blogaway earlier this year. It was a fun task to choose from Boulder’s great restaurant selection. It was very hard to patiently photograph my food before I gobbled it all up.

Lunch at the Kitchen, salmon over salad

The highly recommended restaurants that we did not want to pass up were The Kitchen and Sushi Tora

Pearl Street Japanese restaurant, sashimi lunch

We all left the workshop with new skills, great friends, excellent swag and I scored an award given by my instructors for Best Styling. I was surprised as there was so much amazing talent in the room. but very, very happy……….

Best Food Styling Cookies Marla MeridithMore Re-Cap’s from Food and Light:

~ Marla Meridith

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27 thoughts on “Food and Light Photography Workshop

  1. Wow Marla you have really learned alot! Those photos are so beautiful. The color and light are amazing. I love the quote at the beginning of the post, it’s true sometimes words cannot express such beauty. You captured so much beauty in Boulder. I want that sushi!
    I can’t believe you started out your blog a year ago taking photos with your iphone. Look how far you’ve come! Beautiful! So inspiring. I love your words of wisdom.

  2. This looks awesome! I love Boulder. I went to school out there! This looked like a wonderful workshop! Curious how you heard about it! Love your post so much!! We need to chat more!

    1. Alison, I would love to go back and see more of the city. Lots going on out that way. So many creative people. I found out about the event by watching the instructors tweets. Agreed, you and I have lots in common & we must get together and chat.

  3. This looks like a great event and Boulder just looks beautiful! I am so excited that we will be having Diane and Todd (White on Rice Couple) in Atlanta for the Food Blog Forum! Can’t wait until September. Thanks for sharing your experience.

  4. This definitely looks like it was the experience of a lifetime! It looks like it was so much fun, Marla! Your photos are incredibly gorgeous!

  5. Being a food photographer would be the dream job…at least I think so. What a wonderful time! It’s so great that you had the opportunity to attend. Fabulous Post! 😉

  6. What a fabulous experience this was…I’m a little envious 😉
    Your photos say so much about your personality…just beautiful captures.

    Thank you for sharing this workshop with us.
    Flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

  7. Marla…I knew there was something I wanted to add:
    the next time you stop by my place…there is something for you to pick up on my APPRECIATION page.

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

  8. This sounds like one awesome workshop! Totally something I would like to attend…especially with all of the fantastic bloggers in attendance!

    1. Margo, so great seeing you yesterday! You are encouraging and a great inspiration as well. I love your passion for life & great ambition to do well as a mom and a business leader. xo

  9. Oh! I want to dive into that sushi bento box. And, the shot of the 3/4 devoured cup cake looks to only be fingertips away from me. Yummmmm……..

  10. Are you going back this year? I swear I just read about it from you post today…but I am thinking I want to go!!

    I am leaning towards this over the Santa Fe one.

    thoughts? Email me if you have time! We should go together! I only wish I had been doing what you were doing the past 2 yrs..attending conferences like this…your photos are beautiful and inspire me…and show me that i CAN get to where i want to be…I just need to work at it (like you’ve been doing all along. Smart lady!)

    xoxo

    1. Averie: I cannot make it to Food and Light this year, but I urge you to go if you can. It is amazing!! You will learn so much. Jen, Todd & Diane are wonderful photographers and teachers. This year they will be shooting in a few fab locations in Boulder. That town is really fun & the dining is amazing. People are super athletic & there are hikes you can do close by right before class. Jen will also hook you up with some of the best coffee ever – we love that!
      Go on your own if you can. You will meet so many great people. Hopefully I can make it out there next year. I will miss it so 🙂
      PS: If you register, tell Jen I sent you over & she will take good care of you. Love that girl.
      Thanks for those awesome links. I will check them out now.
      btw: I would go to all 3 of these workshops if I could. Each teacher has gobs of wisdom & unique styles.