Happy New Year!

A Tribute to Steve Jobs

By Lisa Golden Schroeder

I know I’m only one of thousands who’ve expressed their sadness about—and deep admiration for—the brilliant force behind the technology we use everyday. I personally feel a connection to a man I never met—but someone who was responsible for making my business what it is. Foodesigns.com would never have existed but for the first Apple IIE computer my sister-in-law gave me in the late ‘80s. Becoming computer savvy was a hurdle for me, but my long history with Mac computers eased me into it. And the innovations that piled up, year after year, due in no small part to Steve Jobs, only made my dip into technology a full-blown dive in 2000. I celebrate the 10^th anniversary of Foodesigns.com—for all its ups and downs—this year. I know for a fact that if it wasn’t for being part of the Apple cult—and follower of Steve Jobs—I would never have launched a web site as early as I did nor become as proficient at the computer geeky things I am these days. As a creative professional who operates on a very intuitive level, with a love of stylish, simple elegance, my Macs never fail to excite and inspire me. And Steve Jobs' drive to create tools that help us unleash our creativity should inspire us all to not imitate but truly push what we do to the next level whenever possible.

 International Conference on Food Styling & Photography 

The third highly successful International Conference on Food Styling & Photography, held at Boston University, concluded this week. Targeted to both experienced as well as novice photo professionals, the unique event only happens every two years. Once again it was a destination conference for colleagues from all over the world. Conference coverage will be featured in The Tweezer Times soon. For updates on the next event, be sure to sign-up for the mailing list.

Everything I Needed to Know I Learned in the Art Room

• Never say anything unkind about something a classmate has created (be a team player—offer only constructive criticism).

• Don’t hog all the colors (share info and your clients ear).

• A picture is more interesting with contrast, movement, and different points of view—so is life (the entire team needs to be looking for ways to make a photo compelling).

• Be kind to yourself if all your pictures don’t turn out—it happens to all artists (not every job is destined for your portfolio—but if your client is happy, you should be too).

• Your most patient model is the one in the mirror—learn from looking at yourself and be patient (you can’t be at your most creative everyday, or have your best ideas. But be prepared and lay the groundwork for a successful shoot every time you step into the studio).

• Say it with paper pop-ups, folded books, or little pasted pictures—making something for someone else can be a holy act—do it often (find ways to inspire yourself—and allow others to appreciate what you create).

• Keep an open mind about different kinds of art—something unforeseen may become part of your expression some day (inspiration can come from the most unlikely places—stretching yourself to embrace new ways to make art can spur your creativity).

• Purple houses, pink grass—there’s no right or wrong way to color your picture. Honor your creative voice—it’s what makes you unique (work at leaving your mark on all your projects—many clients look for a passion that set photographers and stylists apart from the pack).

• Take a rest or a break during a project—solutions will become more clear and ideas can grow (stop for lunch, visit, laugh and refresh—and return to the job at hand with renewed vigor).

• Paint from the heart, it will show—others will sense it (treat every job as the most important you’ve ever done).

--From Shawn Costello (original copy, Davis-art.com and SchoolArts—Inspiring Creativity Since 1901); Lisa Golden Schroeder (interpretation)

Styling Workshop Opportunities

Interested in learning the entire process for creating a compelling food image? What's the studio team all about? What does a successful food stylist need to know? In Food Styling 101, a 4-week online class offered by Photo Styling Workshops, all the doors are opened. New classes begin every few weeks, so what are you waiting for? Want to  know what a live, in person workshop experience is like? Read the follow-up comments from a two-day intensive class about the business of both advertising and editorial (magazine, cookbook) food photography held in Chicago. All the details are at Photo Styling Workshops. 

What Does It Take To Be a Food Stylist?

If you are a budding food stylist or know someone who's interested in learning more about the business, consider buying the newly released "A Day in the Life of a...Food Stylist". This 18-minute DVD is a full-length interview with veteran food stylist Lisa Golden Schroeder and includes a tour of the tools that stylists use and short demos of a few styling techniques. Find out what it takes to break into this fun business! To order your copy, go to Photo Styling Workshops for details.