Table of Contents & Course Introduction
The remaining modules of the course are set to drip out every two weeks.
We are so excited to see what you create next!
If you haven't already, log in to the Facebook group and introduce yourself! You can add some images, share your goals, and tell us more about yourself so we can get to know you!
Inspiration To Portfolio
Â
- Introduction & The Creative’s Mindset
- Photography Gear Breakdown
- Lenses: The When & Why
- Harnessing Manual Mode & Photoshoot Workflow Checklist
- Conquering Composition & Studio Space
- Set Styling Artistry & Elevated Color Theory
- Lighting with Confidence: Natural & Artificial
- Natural Light Mastery
- Introduction to Artificial Light
- Retouching: SOOC to WOW!
- Bonus: Create Goals & Creative Habits for Life
- Bonus: Where to find your first Clients
Welcome
Â
You've done it, you've taken the first step, and I am so proud of you for investing in your future! Changing the course of your career can be scary, but I've created Inspiration to Portfolio to make it exciting. I want you to know that making a living doing what you LOVE is possible, and I have written this intro course to prove to you just that. My goal is to eliminate any of those initial frustrations and uncertainties that surround dedicating a career to your art and give you a COMPLETE solution to the most common questions that come with getting started as a food photographer.
As you navigate through this course: you will shift those pesky, limiting mindsets, you will discover tools and develop skills that let you create the photos of your dreams, you will work towards building a strong portfolio you can be proud to show off, and you will learn how to identify perfect-fit clients, and forge the professional network you need to build a successful business.
Meet Your Mentor
Â
Jena is a commercial food and lifestyle photographer based in the Midwest and the creative behind the acclaimed food blog, Little Rusted Ladle: a collection of recipes, personal interest narratives, food photography tips, and personal musings. Her work has been featured by Taste of Home, Kohls, Martha Stewart, PBS, and more.
With her photography, Jena captures a feeling to enjoy long after the moment has passed. For her, capturing a tale to accompany a recipe or ingredient is most fulfilling and brings out the heart of her work. Jena's photo essays not only capture the story within a still life recipe, but also celebrate the farmers who harvest the food, the chefs and home cooks who prepare it, and the communities, friends, and family who enjoy it.
To learn more about Jena...
visit https://www.jenacarlincreative.com/
Familiar Faces: The Coaches
Â
Jennifer Milner
Jennifer is a copywriter, journalist, and photo assistant who recently left the corporate world to work with Jena full-time as her studio manger, P2P liaison, and copywriter. As someone who has always highly valued the arts, she is thrilled to be embedded in a world of artists and creative businesspeople and looks forward to building and maintaining relationships in the industry.
Mercadees Schara
Mercadees is a recent college grad with a BFA in Graphic Design and Interactive Media and interned in editorial design before joining Jena's team. She excels in advertising, cohesive branding, and illustration. Graphic Design aside, she has an extensive background in the arts, and is excited to once again be surrounded by other creatives.
Our Values
Â
Quality Over Quantity
We will NOT tell you to rush off and create a portfolio in a week. Updating your portfolio will be an ongoing process throughout your career. Not every image should make it into your portfolio. It is important to make sure that the images you select are true to your brand values and highlight your skill set.
Sustainable Growth
We value SUSTAINABLE growth. We will show you how to craft a food photography portfolio that will reflect your offerings to potential clients and bring you business consistency, year after year.
Resilience
We value RESILIENCE. Small setbacks like not booking every single client will not grind your progress or your passion to a halt.
You will be ready to pick yourself up and keep working when challenges arise.
The Course
Â
Before You Begin
This course will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and resources you need to create better food photos and advance your ambitions.
Momentum and commitment will provide you with the skills and value you desire.
Lessons
The lessons are built with a hybrid of content, video, workbooks, and assignments.
The course will begin by refreshing your knowledge on the technical aspects of photography, followed by the many ways you can leverage artistic skills to create dynamic photos, and wrap up with refining and polishing your skills to continue on your food photography journey.
Take Action
The course modules were designed in a strategic order. Workbooks and assignments are provided to assist you with your journey.
We have created a series of assignments, dispersed throughout the course. Take the time to complete them! They are there for a reason. We want to encourage growth and help you retain this essential information.
Copyright Notice
The Inspiration to Portfolio course, and any content viewed through our course platform, is solely for your personal and non-commercial use. With your Inspiration to Portfolio purchase we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, license to access the Inspiration to Portfolio content and view your course through the service on a streaming-only basis for that purpose. Content may include, but is not limited to: workbooks, documents, slides, calculator tools, images, audio, and video. Except for the foregoing limited license, no right, title or interest shall be transferred to you. You agree not to use the content for creation of an essentially similar online course. Unauthorized retention, duplication, distribution, or modification of course content is strictly prohibited by law. For more information, visit the UNT Policy Office or Copyright.gov.
Jena Carlin 2022