It was so much fun to team up with Becky Selengut for the Good Fish class, we have decided to do a cooking/shooting/styling class together. This class is perfect for someone who has already taken the Natural Light Food Photography workshop with me or who already has a good understanding of their camera, basic exposure and composition. Becky and I will talk about food and prop styling and students will have ample time to practice their photography and styling skills. For dates and more information, go to my website and click on the “workshops” tab, (you’ll need to scroll down to see all the classes.)

As I have said time and time again, Becky’s food is freakin’ fantastic. Plus, you can feel really good about yourself when you eat it since the book is about how to make responsible choices when purchasing West Coast seafood.

In honor of the book release, Becky and I have decided to team up on a workshop where she will demo a few of the recipes from her book and I will teach natural light food photography. The two of us will also cover styling– Becky will demo food styling and I will discuss prop styling. On top of all that, the class will include a signed copy of Good Fish!

Becky and I both have wacky schedules for the next couple months, so the earliest date we could agree on is July 24th. Spots will fill quickly so early registration is recommended.

When: July 24, 2011, 10am (workshop will last 5-6 hours, depending on class size)

Where: Spare Room

Cost: $275 (includes a signed copy of Good Fish)

To Register: Email me at clare at clarebarboza dot com

A number of people have asked me about doing an intermediate or advanced food photography class, and I am totally open to that. Once I work out the details of that workshop, I will announce it here.

Below are some photos from the Natural Light Food Photography class this past Saturday. Everyone did such a great job and Becky’s food was delicious and beautiful, as always.

So one morning I woke up and thought, “Hey, how about a class where we make doughnuts and take pictures of them? What could be better than that?”

And, what do you know. Here it is!

Join me as I demystify making doughnuts with my family’s favorite: Crullers, those beautifully twisted fried treats.

The class will be held on Saturday, April 23rd from 12-4pm and then again on Monday, April 25th from 12-4pm (for those who can’t make a weekend class) at Spare Room. Class size is limited to 6 people, so don’t wait too long to sign up!

This class starts out with an interactive demonstration of how to make 2 different types of crullers… hearty cake doughnut crullers and the heavenly, airy and just a little bit eggy bites of bliss otherwise known as French crullers (or honey crullers for those Tim Horton’s fans out there). You’ll also learn my fool-proof, no measure technique for making glaze which is yummy on all sorts of things.

Then, between nibbles, we’ll pull out our cameras to learn and practice the basics of food styling and natural light photography. And try not to get our cameras too sticky.

The class also happens to include a copy of Doughnuts: Simple and Delicious Recipes to Make at Home and a few tools to help make crullers, so you can go home and tempt your friends and neighbors with your own homemade treats.

You can sign up here:

Saturday’s Crullers & Cameras

Monday’s Crullers & Cameras

Don’t forget to bring your cameras and your sweet tooth!

I have had the great privilege of working with some awesome chefs this month. Becky Selengut, whose cookbook I shot, (and is due to be released in May!!) styled for two of my classes, and the hilarious and talented, Marc Schermerhorn, cooked for one class. Needless to say, the food they made was both beautiful and delicious.

Check out some pics at the end of the post.

Below are the next confirmed workshop dates. I will keep adding to this list, so be sure to visit the blog to check for updates! (Email me at clare at clarebarboza dot com to register.)

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:

Natural Light Food Photography

Whether you are a food blogger or just a person who enjoys snapping pictures of their meals, this class will show you how to take beautifully appetizing food photographs. We’ll talk about depth of field, available light, reflectors, choosing props, photo composition, styling, and more.

Date- March 5, 2011 (additional dates may be added)

Time- 10am – approximately 3pm

Cost- $250 per person

Location- Spare Room, Seattle

Class size limited to 7

The Ultimate Farm to Table 3-day extravaganza!

In this 3-day workshop, students will learn how to tell a story through their images as they document a “day in the life” of a working farm, as well as participate in daily farm activities, harvest and prepare a meal, and learn about natural light food photography.

Read more about the class here.

Date- June 9-12, 2011

Cost- $895 per person (includes workshop fee, all meals, and accommodations on the farm)

Location- Quillisascut

Class size limited to 12

Natural Light Food Photography….in Denver, CO

Date- September 10, 2011 (additional dates may be added)

Time- 10am – approximately 3pm

Cost- $250 per person

Location- Denver, Colorado– specific location to be announced later

Are you interested in me teaching a workshop in your city? Let’s make it happen!!

I love to travel and am open to going anywhere. However, there need to be a few things in place.

First, if you are interested in a food photography workshop, I need a space to teach. A restaurant with lots of windows works perfectly– there are plenty of dishes and “props” to use, a good amount of natural light, and (hopefully) a chef who will collaborate with me.

Second, I need to fill the class.

Since I am in Seattle, and because I do not have an unlimited advertising budget, I need your help in spreading the word. Of course, I will blog, tweet, and facebook my butt off about any class I am offering, but if you want me to come to your city, I would love it if you would also do some blogging or tweeting or facebooking on your end.

I am just starting to lay down some very loose plans, but it looks like a Denver workshop is definitely going to happen, most likely in summer. I have been offered a space to teach in Oakland, so that’s definitely a possibility, probably around the same time frame. Also, I will be in Massachusetts and Vermont in April and am working to line up work while I am there.

As plans get firmed up, I will be blogging about my itinerary.

In the meantime, email and let me know if you have a specific idea. As far as I am concerned, 2011 is going to be all about new experiences and adventure!

Lately, there have been a number of people inquiring about my next Farm to Table workshop. I have big plans in 2011 and part of those plans involve taking this workshop to other cities. More on that later.

In Washington, however, I have just nailed down the details for a dream farm workshop and I am here to tell you all about it.

Quillisascut is a fully sustainable goat farm in Northeastern Washington. Not only have they been making and selling aged raw milk cheese since 1987, but they have also been educating the public about growing their own food and living off the land for over a decade. A number of chefs that I love and respect, (like Becky Selengut and Danielle Custer, to name a couple) have attended Quillisascut’s Farm Culinary 101 workshop, where culinary professionals live and work on the farm for a week and become more acquainted with the true meaning of “farm to table.” Personally, I have been dying to take their Sense of Place workshop for the past few years, and just haven’t had the opportunity.

So, as you may imagine, I am pretty darn excited to announce that on June 9-12, 2011, I will be holding a 3-day Farm to Table photography workshop at Quillisascut.

This is a hands-on workshop. Over the course of 3 days, students will milk goats, work in the garden, make cheese, and harvest and prepare a meal made from food produced on the farm. We will talk about how to tell a story through photographs, and students will photographically document a typical “day in the life” of a working farm as well as learn about natural light food photography. There will also be plenty of discussion about f stops and shutter speeds, composition, light, and all that other technical mumbo jumbo. We will critique each other’s work and talk about what makes a strong photograph. Because we will all be staying in the same house for 3 nights, there will be lots of time for one-on-one chats.

It should be a blast. Think of it as one big slumber party…where you wake up early to milk a goat.

Tuition is $895 and includes accommodations at the farm (rooms are shared), all meals, and all course instruction. Transportation to Quillisascut is not included and is about a 5 hour drive from Seattle.

Tuition must be pre-paid and reserves your spot in class. If you want to register, email me at clare at clarebarboza dot com.

Space is limited so register early!

And just for a little inspiration, I thought I’d share some of the farm photos I have taken over the past year.

Thank you, Skagit River Ranch, Skagit Sun Berries, Kurtwood Farms, Pipitone Farms, Tahuya River Apiaries, Olsen Farms, Billy’s Gardens, Alvarez Farms, Port Madison Farm, Thundering Hooves, Pelindaba Lavendar, Alm Hill Gardens, and Booth Canyon Orchard. I have enjoyed every single second of working with all of you.

Whether you are a food blogger or just a person who enjoys snapping pictures of their meals, this class will show you how to take beautifully appetizing food photographs.We’ll talk about depth of field, available light, reflectors, choosing props, photo composition, styling, and more.

DATE: Saturday, January 15th, 2011

TIME: 10am – approximately 3pm

COST: $250 per person, due at the time of registration

Class size limited to 7

The class is filling up quickly and is on a first come, first served basis. If you are interested in registering, please email me at clare at clarebarboza dot com.

UPDATE: The January 15th class is FULL. However, I have added two additional dates which still have space: January 26th and January 29th.

Email if interested!

I am so excited about this class!!

The workshop will take place on Vashon Island, where participants will tour two farms. We will start at Seabreeze Farm, where we’ll spend some time with the cows, chickens, pigs, ducks, and sheep, and then we’ll head off to photograph the Seabreeze butcher shop, located right next to La Boucherie.

After that, we’ll move on to Kurtwood Farms, and check out Kurt’s lovely property, animals, vegetable gardens and new cheese cave, (which is pretty darn cool.)

The last part of the day will focus on natural light food photography, using some of the ingredients produced by these two farms.

*Lunch and transportation on the island will be provided.

DATE: Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

TIME: 9am until approximately 4 or 5pm

COST: $300 (payment due at time of registration)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A digital SLR, a decent working knowledge of your camera, and runner boots

WHAT’S RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED: A laptop, a card reader, and a tripod

TO REGISTER: Email me to reserve your spot (clare at clarebarboza dot com)

The Natural Food Styling & Photography 102 class take the basic principals I teach in the 101 class, but applies them to some more challenging subjects. I do recommend that you have taken some sort of food styling & photography class prior to attending this class, but it doesn’t have to be my 101 class. You should, however, be quite comfortable with your camera in aperture priority mode.

Registration is now open here. Please note, I’m trying a new class registration system! If you have any problems, let me know and I’ll get it fixed.  

Natural Food Styling & Photography 101

August 8th, 2010, 1pm to 5ish
Register Here

This 1/2 day Natural Food Styling & Photography Workshop is for anyone interested in learning the basics of food styling and photography for editorial purposes.

We will focus on simple plating and propping of food for the most appealing photos without resorting to tricks that render the food inedible. We will also cover creative lighting techniques using natural light.

Although a good working knowledge of your camera is recommended, this class is appropriate for all levels of photographers. All you need to bring is your camera and a tripod (highly recommended!)

This class is limited to 7 attendees.

This class is held in Seattle, at the Spare Room studio.

Class Fee: $125.00

Natural Food Styling & Photography 102

Monday, August 9th, 2010, 1pm to 5ish
Register Here

This 1/2 day Natural Food Styling & Photography 102 Workshop focuses on more challenging food subjects, such as meat (raw and cooked), drinks and action shots. Like my 101 class, we will focus on plating and propping of food for the most appealing photos without resorting to tricks that render the food inedible. We will cover creative lighting techniques using natural light, and some speedlight (flash) usage as time permits.

You should have good working knowledge of your camera, especially functions such as manual focus, aperture priority and exposure compensation. All you need to bring is your camera and a tripod (highly recommended!)

This class is limited to 7 attendees.

This class is held in Seattle, at the Spare Room studio.

Class Fee: $125.00