When I first started the blog, I knew I was a great cook but my photography was severely lacking. I knew that with how competitive food blogging is that I would have to step my game up so after months of debate, I enrolled in Foodtography School in the beginning of 2021.
With this article I want to tell you about how I went from a complete beginner to being able to make an actual income from food photography. And of course, answer the question, is Foodtography School really worth it?
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links- I earn a portion of each sale made using my discount code.
This helps support my blog and allows me to provide you with more free recipes and resources.
Use the coupon code "LAUREN" to receive 15% off all Foodtography School orders including courses, presets, templates and guides.
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Why Should You Trust Me?
If you told me 18 months ago I would be making more in photography than I am at my day job I would've laughed at you. Between sustainable blog traffic and my commercial photography work, I've matched (and surpassed) my income at my job.
My brand has been built on creating trust with my readers. I value honesty, transparency and authenticity above all else and only take on sponsorships and affiliates with brands that align with me and my values 100%.
All throughout this blog post, I'll share some picture sets of the same recipes made before and after Foodtography School. A quick note that taking this course won't change your photos unless you put in the work!
Curious about my work? Check out my photography portfolio here.
What Does Foodtography School Offer?
Foodtography School is a course created by Sarah Crawford from Broma Bakery all about food photography. What I love most about this course is that you are granted lifetime access to the course as well as all future updates. Food photography is always changing, and it's important to keep up.
The units of the course are:
- Fundamentals of Food Photography
- Composition
- Light
- Branding
- Editing
- Social Media
- Marketing
Each unit is incredibly in depth and beautifully presented with lots of real world examples and is all video based for fellow visual learners like me (thank you AHDH)! I love that it's lifetime access so you can work at your own pace.
Fundamentals of Food Photography
The first unit of Foodtography School covers the basic principles of photography. This covers the principles of photography that are used in all niches - not just food.
You'll learn things like the history of photography, how to use your camera in manual (game changer!), an introduction to Lightroom and basic set up of props and backdrops.
This part of the course is a must for everyone and I even use principles I've learned in this course in my lifestyle photography business. Creating a solid foundation is incredibly important, and it allows you to have a firm grasp on the basics so you can build up everything else.
As a bonus, it also offers recommendations for cameras. I personally use the Canon R6 and am obsessed with how light, powerful and simple it is.
Composition
Composition was the absolute game changer unit for me and my work. It gives an in depth look into the different compositional tools to make your images more interesting.
This includes framing, movement, dynamic contrast and so many more ways to add life to your photos.
Composition is my favourite way to super-charge my images as I love the storytelling aspect of food photography. It allows you to make your viewers be brought back to a memory, image eating your food or experience a feeling. It's an incredibly powerful tool in the hands of a photographer.
Lighting
The unit on lighting is all about the elements of light and how to use it to create vivid, dynamic and interesting images. It covers the different types of light and how to standardize your images to create a cohesive brand.
This is the only part of Foodtography School I wish was a little different. I live in Canada and some days we have very limited access to good natural light. I've since bought a flash and have taken Artificial Academy from Joanie Simon at the Bite Shot. I do wish Foodtography School had more resources of flash - but if you're a natural light photographer, this is a very comprehensive guide on harassing the power of light in your images.
Branding
For my day job, I work as a social media manager so I love the unit on branding! I do lots of work with restaurants and small businesses, and so many people neglect to create a great brand identity.
The information and branding exercise in Foodtography School helps to give a great foundational knowledge on branding to help your readers recognize your work as yours.
Having a cohesive and defined brand image is incredibly important - especially if you're looking to do sponsored work or land brand deals.
Editing
Editing is the unit I put off for the longest time. Admittedly, editing is one of the hardest parts of food photography because editing food can make it look unappetizing if done incorrectly.
Regardless of my initial hesitance towards it, the editing unit has probably been the most useful to me and has transformed the way I fix bad lighting, make my images pop and create a consistent brand.
Foodtography School offers presets for Lightroom that I used to make use of a lot in my editing - they're an amazing way to get used to Lightroom and discover your style until you are more comfortable at editing.
Social Media
If you're already on social media, you know how challenging it can be to keep up with the ever changing trends (I'm looking at you reels!).
The social media unit gives you the best chance possible to find and attract your audience on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms. They have made updates to this course since launching to cover information about the ever changing scope of social media demands.
Using the brand tools in the branding unit gives you a great framework on how to use social media in a way that's profitable and impactful.
Marketing
The marketing unit of Foodtography School is focused mostly around the business aspects of food photography. Between self-promotion, reaching out to clients and trying to figure out how to price your work, Foodtography School is a top notch resource to give you confidence while pitching.
The unit includes a bonus Brand Pitch Guide (normally $29)!
Other Bonuses
Foodtography School offers lots of discounts for you as a member! As a Foodtography School alumni, you get discounts on all their products and services. You also get access to discounts on a few of their favourite backdrop companies like Replica Surfaces, Capture by Lucy and Woodville Workshop.
Something that isn't talked about enough is the access you get to the Foodtography Insiders Facebook community. I've made so many friends in the community of photographers as well as been given so much advice and assistance from people who were more experienced than me.
Each unit has a unit assignment designed to take everything you've learned and put it into practice. Because the only way to get better at photography is to practice- and practice a LOT.
So... Is Foodtography School Worth It?
Foodtography School is definitely a lot of money, but in my honest opinion it's worth every penny.
I've already made back everything I've spent on Foodtography School (and much more!) and have been able to create a brand image and a successful photography business with the tools and passion that was sparked from this course and the community.
Foodtography School might not be worth it to you if you're a hobby photographer with no plans to make it into a business or side business. But if you have the disposable income - I still recommend it.
Maybe it's cliche, but I do think that Foodtography School is one of the best investments I've made for myself as a food photographer!
Use the coupon code "LAUREN" to receive 15% off all Foodtography School orders including courses, presets, templates and guides.
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