June 6th – 9th 2023

ADVANCED FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY AND FOOD STYLING RETREAT 2023

With Kimberly Espinel

MIDSUMMER FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY, video AND VISUAL STORYTELLING RETREAT

with Kimberly Espinel

Last year, together with amazing Kimberly Espinel we hosted a Nordic Midsummer food photography retreat and we absolutely loved it! We knew we had to arrange the retreat again this year and so we did. 7 amazing participants came from all around the world to enjoy our 4-day workshop at my summer cottage in the countryside of Finland. We had magical time together. We learned about food styling, food photography and lifestyle videography – a lot of information packed in those 4 wonderful days!

Read more about our amazing experience here and make sure to also check Kimberly’s post about it!

DAY 1

welcome dinner

We started the retreat with a beautiful cozy dinner in the garden, surrounded by the lilac trees. The table was filled with fresh Nordic food. We had the loveliest time relaxing together and getting to know each other before our 4-day retreat! It’s always wonderful to gather around a table and share our stories.

Accommodation

Our students stayed in the middle of nature, in a lovely old wooden villa by the sea. They were gifted a perfect little welcome package by our sponsors. Amazing Finnish fresh skin care products by Niki Newd, a lovely notebook by Cozy Publishing, beautiful linen napkins by Heirol and some delicious Finnish chocolate. After the retreat every student received a stunning canvas backdrop from Jipy Fondos.

DAY 2

basics of videography, 
Sweet food photography 
& Cake scenes

On the 2nd day of our retreat we focused on both videography and sweet food photography and styling.

In the morning session I dived into the basics of videography and talked about the most important things to focus on before heading to shoot video.

Then Kimberly created two different indoor scenes to look at how to use shapes in compositions and add texture to images.

During the last session of the day the participants created their own garden cake scenes outdoors in small groups and practiced their, styling, still photography and videography skills.

DAY 3

savory food photography scene by the sea, video creating & an afternoon in the village,
2–1 feedback sessions

In the morning session of our 3rd day, we headed to the shore to shoot some lifestyle and nature video and to practice storytelling skills. Kimberly also taught about savory food styling in location and created a beautiful picnic scene on the dock.

In the afternoon we visited the local village together to have some lunch in the gorgeous Matildankartano café. Then the students had some free time to wander in the village while we had a 2–1 feedback session which each of the participants.

In the evening of our 3rd day we had a beautiful sunset dinner together at the accommodation.

Lunch location – Matildankartano

DAY 4

video editing & colours and savory Food photography

In the 4th day of our retreat, we looked into editing videos. I talked about making most of your video material in the edit, learning all the important technical bits and pieces and telling story with your video.

Then Kimberly finished the lesson by teaching more about savory food photography and styling and colors.

After the busy morning we had some lunch together and then it was already time for goodbyes. We ended the retreat with goodbye gifts and many many hugs!