denver- the land of friends, family, and beer

I meant to take so many more photos in Denver. I really did.
But I often struggle with knowing when to pick up my camera to be the "documenter" or putting down my camera to simply enjoy the experience.

I opted for more experiencing and less documenting while we were in Denver.

From the fantastic apartment we rented during our stay, (that was located in the PERFECT neighborhood), to the amazing dinner we had at Z Cuisine and incredible cocktails we enjoyed afterward at the super-cool speak-easy bar, Williams & Graham, (can you say "blackberry sage smash?"), Denver was every bit as fun as we had hoped.

The city reminds me quite a bit of Portland. The size, the outdoorsy people, the priority placed by the city on having lots of biking and walking paths, the sophisticated food scene, the friendliness, the passion for artisan beer, the social activism and the charming neighborhoods all made me feel instantly at home. Aside from the lack of a body of water anywhere in the vicinity and the many more days of sun per year, Denver could be a city in the Pacific Northwest.

Over the course of 4 days, Joe and I visited the stunning Red Rocks Park, wandered through some of the best antique shops I have ever seen (oh, how my prop collection is growing), and spent some time with dear friends and family.



I also taught a workshop.

It wasn't the workshop I had originally planned, but that's okay-- I believe things happen for a reason.
Instead, I spent an afternoon with the lovely Michelle and did a one-on-one food photography session in her home.

Michelle and her husband have been brewing their own beer for awhile and even have their own hops farm so, fittingly, Michelle asked if we could focus the session on shooting beer.

I very happily obliged.



I even got to take some of my own photos! What a treat!


Michelle, thank you for your kindness and hospitality. I look forward to keeping up with your work!

Denver, I cannot wait to visit again.

2 more workshops you should know about

I am taking a short break from the cookbook shoot posts, (the finale will come later this week) to tell you about 2 more workshops on my Cross Country Roadtrip Extravaganza.

I have already mentioned the workshop that is happening in Southern California on April 21st. Now it's time to tell you about two of the weekends following that one.

First, on April 28th, I will be teaching a class 45 minutes outside of Denver, Colorado at the farm owned by Fruition Restaurant.

This restaurant was recommended to me by my cousin who lives in Denver, and was hailed as one of their all-time favorite spots in the city. After talking to the chef and learning more about the philosophy at Fruition, we both decided that their farm would be the best spot to hold the class. Not only do students get to learn about natural light food photography, but they will also get the opportunity to capture a sense of place and tell a story about a working farm with their photos.

The class is $300 and includes lunch. (NOTE: the deadline for registration is April 12)

Then, on May 12th, I will be in Poland, Ohio, (which is located 1 hour from Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Akron/Canton, and 6 hours from Chicago and NYC) at the lovely studio of Kate Echle.

This class will cover all the basics of natural light food photography and will focus on an entirely VEGAN menu! Kate has graciously offered to include breakfast, coffee and tea, and I will provide lunch, so students will not only get to spend their day playing with food and pretty props, but they will also be very well fed!! :)

Class is $300.

To register for either workshop, please email me at clare at clarebarboza.com

so cal workshop

Hey you, Southern California people. You know who you are. I am gonna be down your way in April, teaching a Natural Light Food Photography workshop and I think you should come.

It's on April 21st at a private home in Ladera Ranch. We're going to talk about all sorts of fun things-- props, composition, light, exposure and basically how to make your food look pretty in pictures. Since I am driving down there from Seattle, I'll be able to bring some props from my studio for you to play with.

The fee is $300 and includes lunch.

This is going to be FUN, so I hope to see you there!!

(Interested? Email me at clare at clarebarboza dot com to register.)

more charleston workshops!

You know that workshop I mentioned in November? The one with Helene Dujardin of Tartelette and author of Plate to Pixel? Well, it sold out in 36 hours so we are offering it again!

Actually, we are offering TWO more workshops. :)

The first one is November 1st through the 5th and it's almost exactly like the one that sold out for this coming May, with maybe a couple visiting lecturers added in.

See below....

***To view more information and to register for the November 1-5 workshop go HERE.***

UPDATE: THIS WORKSHOP IS SOLD OUT

The second workshop is a week later on November 8th through the 12th. It takes place in the same awesome beach house in Charleston, however, there will three of us teaching it. Alongside me and Helene will be food stylist extraordinaire, Tami Hardeman, of the blog Running With Tweezers, (I love that name.)

We will cover all sorts of cool stuff and, since Tami will be along for the ride, students will gain a more in-depth understanding of food styling.

***To view more information and to register for the November 8-12 workshop go HERE.***

a workshop in charleston, south carolina

You are going to be hearing a lot about the Cross Country Road trip Extravaganza that I mentioned a few posts back. I am in the process of adding locations and dates so I'll be back here often, updating my blog. Consider yourself warned.

So, along those lines, I am so, so, SO excited to announce a workshop that I am teaching next year alongside photographer extraordinaire, Helene Dujardin, of the well-known My Tartelette blog.

Since hiring Helene to food style the last two cookbooks I shot, she and I have become really good friends. Let it be known that Helene is a PHOTOGRAPHER, not a stylist. She just styles for ME, because I ask really, reeeeeaaaaallllly nicely. :)

Not only do Helene and I really like each other, we work incredibly well together. And, while we have a lot of similar approaches in our work, we also have many differences which is why we thought it would be fun to co-teach a class.

But this isn't any old workshop. Oh, no. Go ahead and read the description below and you'll see what I mean.

Oh! One more thing! We are thrilled to announce that Cucina Fresca jumped on the occasion to supply a hungry group of food photographers with the finest of their products, from homemade sauce and pasta to gluten free options ad delicious recipes!

If you are a company interested in sponsoring part of the event, please get in touch with either Clare at clare@clarebarboza.com or Helene at helene@helenedujardin.com

Join food photographers, Clare Barboza and Helene Dujardin for a 3-day/4-night photography retreat in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.

Imagine spending 4 nights in a gorgeous house located across the street from the beach in The Isle of Palms, enjoying great food and wine, learning all about food photography and styling from Clare and Helene, and taking lots and lots of photos. Over the course of the workshop, you will learn about exposure, utilizing natural light, composition, choosing props, styling, and how to tell a story through photographs.

When: Thursday, May 3 through Monday, May 7, 2012

Fee: $1250 (includes accommodations for 4 nights, all meals including dinner and drinks at an award-winning restaurant in Charleston, transportation to/from airport and on all field trips, and 3 days workshop instruction from Clare and Helene. Please note that bedrooms are SHARED.)

To Register: click HERE

Workshop Schedule (subject to change):

Thursday, May 3rd:

Meet and greet at 5pm with cocktails and nibbles.

Attendees will be treated to a homemade dinner prepared by Clare and Helene (contribution of their better halves at the grill not excluded!). Please list any food allergies or restrictions at time of registration.

Enjoy the evening walking on the beach, checking out the music scene a block down from the house or getting a good night of sleep in preparation for the coming days.

******************

Friday, May 4th:

Enjoy breakfast on the back deck before gathering with Clare and Helene for your first session of the day!

Session #1, The Nitty Gritty of Food Photography (basic camera function, exposure, light, depth of field)

Photo shoot

Lunch prepared by your hosts

Session #2, The Nitty Gritty of Composition and Food Styling (learn simple yet essential art guidelines, camera angles, etc.)

Photo shoot

Session #3, How to tell a story with images ( in preparation for field trip the next day)

Dinner at the beach house, served family style

******************

Saturday, May 5th:

A field trip to the Charleston farmers market, (bright and early!)

Photo shoot- photographing seasonal bounty and market finds, as well as cooking, styling, composing, shooting breakfast/ brunch

Brunch

Session #4, Shooting on location

Dinner at Lana Restaurant in downtown Charleston

******************

Sunday, May 6th:

Breakfast

Photo shoot- picnic on the beach (food preparation and styling, working outdoors, telling a story)

Downloading and choosing images

Critique and Review

Farewell dinner bash prepared family style

******************

Monday, May 7th:

Breakfast

Clean up and departure

UPDATE  11/12/11: This workshop has officially SOLD OUT!