Gastrostoria

A food and photography blog featuring gluten-free recipes and tips on elevating your food photography.

[gastrostoria]

When you’re a food photographer, anything edible is fair game. Even the remnant of your partners chocolate glazed donut. 😂 . . . #lifeandthyme #conceptualfood #visualstorytelling #sweet #eeeeeats #foodfluffer #huffposttaste #donut #doughnuts #foodporn #vancouverphotographer #vancouverfoodphotographer #yvrphotographer #foodstyling #foodphotographyandstyling #elinchrom #prodibi #captureonepro #strobelights #monasheephotogroup #photoshelter #canoncanada #feedfeedchocolate #yum https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz54NAHhoji/?igshid=1e617uxclnp8b

[gastrostoria]

Cherry season is upon us 🍒 . . My favourite thing about summer is not the heat and sunshine and the abundance of outdoor activities. Nope, it’s the seasonal fruit that gets me. . . The last week has seen me baking crisps and cobblers and now I’m making plans for these cherries. Maybe a clafoutis? A cherry breakfast parfait? . . . #cherries #seasonalfruit #vancouverphotographer #vancouverfoodphotographer #still_life_gallery #stilllife #lifeandthyme #huffposttaste #feedfeed #f52grams #photoshelter #captureone #canoncanada #elinchrom #moodyfoodphotography #yum #realsimple #freshfruit #nothingisordinary #inspiremyinstagram #thatauthenticfeeling #livethelittlethings #summer #tv_stilllife #foodphotographyandstyling https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzf9itchYZx/?igshid=1kocmu7bf2yva

[gastrostoria]

Oh the drama 🌸 . . . #florals #floralarrangement #stilllifephotography #tv_stilllife #prodibi #photoshelter #vancouverphotographer #peonies #peonyphotography #peonyseason #stilllife #floralstilllife #chiaroscuro #fineartphotography #flowers #slowdownwithstills #botanicalpickmeup #still_life_gallery #still_life_mood #aquietstyle #simpleandstill #inspiremyinstagram #thatauthenticfeeling #nestandflourish #alovefornaturesbest #seekthesimplicty #flowermagic #flowerpower https://www.instagram.com/p/BzbXal3BnzP/?igshid=sid5ue7hmluo

[gastrostoria]

I was so lucky to find these beauties for a song at my local thrift store. 😍 I don’t rely on second hand shops for my props, but I can always find something unique and special hiding amongst the jumble of wares. . . What was your best thrift store find? . . . #photographycomposition #stilllife #stilllifephotography #tv_stilllife #ceramics #props #propstyling #thriftstorefinds #vancouverphotographer #vancouverfoodphotographer #pottery #wabisabi #chasingstillness #studiostilllife #postitfortheaesthetics #nothingisordinary #still_life_gallery https://www.instagram.com/p/BzTlc2jBmU6/?igshid=yepgfyac6z5y

[gastrostoria]

Now this is my idea of healthy eating. Prosciutto wrapper melon on a bed of arugula with pecans and slivers of red onion because ... why not? The slightest drizzle of an olive oil vinaigrette and a dusting of white pepper. . . . #italianfoodporn #prosciutto #summerfood #seasonalfood #lifeandthyme #fbcigers #foodphotographycomposition #beautifulcuisines #huffposttaste #f52grams #feedfeedglutenfree #vancouverphotographer #vancouverfoodphotographer #yvrphotographer #foodphotographyandstyling #mywilliamssonoma https://www.instagram.com/p/By0W7mahL2-/?igshid=1cjn6j9wpddom

[gastrostoria]

I’ve invited subscribers to my list to a $10 off discount code for my composition template eBook Rule-of-Thirds. New subscribers were also invited to receive this code for signing up to my list but it’s come to my attention that the subscription box is not actually integrating with my newsletter, even though it appears to be. . . Please let me know if you’ve tried to subscribe and had an issue. You can subscribe through the main page of the blog or DM me here to get the code. . . The book is $19 until Sunday night at midnight PST. After that it goes back to $29. The sales page is on the tab called eBook at the top of the page. Sorry for any issues! Working on fixing this unfortunate glitch. . . #ruleofthirdsebook #pesto #italianfood #foodphotographycomposition #photographycomposition #photographyeducation #moodyfoodphotography #fbcigers https://www.instagram.com/p/ByvSTIFhK9E/?igshid=1ossaakkvtg1p

[gastrostoria]

We are halfway through 2019 and one of my goals for the rest of the year is to improve my food styling. . . When I work on commercial gigs, I always work with professional food stylist, but for my stock and commissioned work, the styling is left up to me. . . I’ll admit, I always feel a little twinge of dread when facing shoots on my own. I’ve developed my skills over the years, but there are days when I have to redo the food or I bake something that doesn’t turn out, or the salad looks like a truck ran over it. . . . People are usually good with words, visuals, or with their hands. For me, my strength has always fallen in the first two categories. When it comes to styling I sometimes feel—in the words of the late, great Kurt Vonnegut—like “an armless, legless man with a crayon in my mouth”. . . . #foodphotographycomposition #foodphotographyandstyling #lifeandthyme #beautifulcuisines #fbcigers #summerfruit #seasonslfood #salad #fruitsalad #elinchrom #captureone #beautifulcuisines #realsimple #canoncanada #foodphotographer #vancouverphotographer #yvrphotographer #vancouverfoodphotographer https://www.instagram.com/p/ByvLgiSBx9l/?igshid=1c8z82jzo9pvy

[gastrostoria]

IT’S THE LAST DAY TO GET RULE-OF-THIRDS FOR $19. 💫☀️ The price goes up to $29 at midnight tonight PST. Don’t miss out at this special price and get a guide that you can use as a roadmap every time your shoot food photography. Link in bio ⬆️ . . If you’ve purchased the eBook, don’t forget to join the FB group. Link on the Thank You page. And be sure to tag me in the images you’ve created with the templates with #ruleofthirdsebook . . . #foodphotographycomposition #photographycomposition #photographyeducation #fbcigers #foodfluffer #pasta #italianfood #foodflatlay #foodblogger #foodblogging #problogger #foodphotographyandstyling #foodbloggerpro #lifeandthyme #huffposttaste #feedfeed #instafoodgram #elinchrom #captureonepro https://www.instagram.com/p/ByiQH2zhthC/?igshid=15o1xzyiacal4

[gastrostoria]

The 42 templates in Rule-of-Thirds: A Guide to Composition for Food Photography are just that--templates. Def: Something that is used as a pattern for making similar things. Def: A system that helps you arrange things. . . Where you put objects down within your frame is not the end-all-be-all of composition in food photography, but it's a BIG part of it. It is the foundation, and what helps you build out your scene. . . From there you tweak things, move them a bit, until you find a way that looks good to the eye and works with the subject you're shooting. . . Having a template does not restrict you. You're not copying. In fact, it will free you, because you'll still add your individual style and creativity, while allowing you to work faster and get more compositions out of a single recipe. . . This interactive eBook is still on sale for $19 USD--an amazing deal for a resource you will use again and again. . . . If you have purchased the book, thank you SO MUCH 🙏🏻💕 and don't forget to join the FB group via the link provided at the end of the book. . . . #foodphotographycomposition #ruleofthirdsebook #fbcigers #photographycomposition #photographyeducation #storytemplates #foodblogger #foodblogging #foodphotographyandstyling #foodphotography #lifeandthyme #foodbloggerpro #f52grams #mycommontable #makeitdelicious #lovefood #foodwinewomen #gastronomia #eeeeats #compositions #foodfluffer #wherewomencook #realisimple #vancouverphotographer #vancouverfoodphotographer #goop #bbcgoodfood #sistermag https://www.instagram.com/p/ByarxNLhXCg/?igshid=5hwcrymjdll6

[gastrostoria]

This image was once a finalist in the restaurant photography category in the @pinkladyappleuk food photography awards, but was actually from my first paid food photography shoot. 🍎 . . The owners of the restaurant had no idea I was so green. I had gone to photography school and had a food blog for several years. Being a blogger was what helped me the most in pulling off that shoot—2 days and 50+ dishes. . . But I still made mistakes. Read about the five mistakes I made on my first pro food shoot at gastrostoria.com , so you can avoid making them yourself. . . #foodphotographycomposition #fbcigers #foodblogging #foodblogger #foodflatlay #chinesefood #tofu #offsetartist #foodphotographyandstyling #editorialphotography #asiancuisine #restaurantphotography #beautifulcuisines #f52grams #feedfeedvegetarian https://www.instagram.com/p/ByX-SEtBrK1/?igshid=18y9sgwgaytin

[gastrostoria]

Negative space. 💫 . . The area taken up by your subject is positive space. Negative space is the clean space that gives the eye a place to rest and provides some breathing room. A balance keeps the eye interested in what’s going on in the frame. . . Our brains are processing so much, so quickly when we read an image in a way we’re not aware of. Composition will make or break your photograph. . . Learn more about these important principles in the upcoming Rule-of-Thirds: A Guide to Composition for Food Photography launching JUNE 4! . . Early bird pricing ONLY $19 USD . . . #foodphotographycomposition #fbcigers #learnfoodphotography #stilllifephotography #lifeandthyme #offsetartist #offsetbyshutterstock #granola #whatsforbreakfast #photoebook #photographyeducation #photographyresources #foodporn #foodphotographyandstyling #foodphotography #vancouverphotographer #vancouverfoodphotographer #ruleofthirdsbook #negativespace #photographycomposition #buzzfeedfood #foodblogger #foodblogging #realsimple https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLJs3mBJes/?igshid=1q1z5t7d68bwv

[gastrostoria]

Rule-of-Thirds: A Guide to Composition for Food Photography is launching June 4 PST and I couldn't be more thrilled. . . . It's been 3 years since I was first struck with the inspiration to create a product that food bloggers and photographers could use to take their food photography to the next level. I envisioned creating a book of templates that would empower photographers to quickly improve their compositions. I visualized simple and graphic vectors that would act as prompts or guides in creating images that would work according to the principles of composition. . . . I had no idea if anyone would be interested. Those that I tentatively shared my idea with didn't understand. They were confused. Or seemed to think it was dumb. But deep down I knew that food bloggers and photographers would massively benefit from such a product. . . . I'm glad I forged ahead and found a way to make it happen. Always listen to your instinct. Not the fear masquerading as intuition--but the deep down knowing that you're on the right path, no matter what anyone says. . . . I know that this will help so many of you, and I'm Tom-Cruise-jumping-on-Oprah's-couch excited to bring it to our community. . . Big shout out to Pavel and Vilem @22creativestudio for bringing my vision to life. 🙌 . . . #fbcigers #learnfoodphotography #lifeandthyme #elinchrom #stilllifephotography #foodphotographyandstyling #foodblogger #composition #foodphotographycomposition #photographyebook #eeeeats #marthastewartliving #realsimple #offsetartist #mywilliamssonoma #photoguide #beveragephotography #drinks #ruleofthirdsbook #photobook #masterphotography #inspiremyinstagram #vector #22creativestudio https://www.instagram.com/p/ByJaiKgBdjT/?igshid=1hy8o2zo39o8d

[gastrostoria]

If you’re wondering why the heck I have a vector instead of a photo as my main image today, read on! . . . 💫 I’m putting the final touches on my eBook Rule-of-Thirds: A Guide to Composition for Food Photography. Three years ago I had an inspiration to bring out a product that would help food bloggers and photographers figure out how to place their subjects within the frame in a way that followed the principles of composition. I visualized sharing the sketches I make when I map out my shoots, but didn’t know how to go about it. . . 💫 Portrait photographers have posing manuals. Why can’t food photographers have a posing manual of sorts? This is EXACTLY what my eBook is all about. In addition to an overview of the principles of composition and some case studies from my professional work, the guide features 42 templates that you can use as prompts for your own creativity. . . Along with suggestions for food, backgrounds, and props, (including how to place them), these templates will instantly help you take your photography to the next level. It’s a perfect resource if you’re a beginner, but also if you tend to get stuck in a rut, repeating the same old compositions over and over again. I know I do. . . 💫 When I first pitched my idea to my designers @22creativestudio they asked, why not just use photographs? I explained that when presented with a photo, the mind is busy processing the lighting, colour, texture, and all the other details. It’s much quicker to grasp shape when it’s isolated. These templates are simple and graphic and allow you to create compositions that work within the positive-negative space dynamic, while allowing for your own creativity to blossom. . . So what do you think? Is that a tool that can help you with your food photography? . . #ruleofthirdsbook #gastrostoria #foodphotographyandstyling #composition #stilllifephotography #stilllife #photographyebook #learnfoodphotography #lifeandthyme #photoshelter #elinchrom #makeitdelicious #foodfluffer #fbcigers #stilllifephotographer #visualstorytelling #photographymentoring #photographyeducation #photomentor #lifeandthyme #lovestilllife #f52grams #foostyle https://www.instagram.com/p/ByGJtHFBCPm/?igshid=1xhck97mxa7rc

[gastrostoria]

The interesting thing about composition for food or still life photography is that there are so many ways you can compose a scene. There are compositional principles like the rule-of-thirds that can help, but the fact is, that several symmetries and patterns can emerge in any given frame. . . 💫 Humans are pattern-seeking beings. We even project pattern onto what we see. This explains why a woman saw the Virgin Mary on her grilled cheese sandwich and was able to auction it off on eBay for $28K. . . 💫 If you struggle with composition, know that you are already probably doing some things right. We’ve become very visual as a culture, and to some extent, aesthetics are ingrained in us. This means you likely just need a few tweaks, the foundation of a few principles to make a radical difference in your photography. . . . #vancouverfoodphotographer #vancouverphotographer #composition #foodphotographyandstyling #foodphotographycomposition #tv_stilllife #gatheredstyle #fbcigers #raspberry #offsetartist #offsetbyshutterstock #seasonalfruit #editorialfood #f52grams #inspiremyinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/ByDiDwNBRQW/?igshid=1vvsfgvb0z97k

[gastrostoria]

Grapes. Fresh on @offsetimages #805455 . . . #offsetartist #vancouverfoodphotographer #vancouverphotographer #postitfortheaesthetics #beautifulcuisines #abeautifulmess #nothingisordinary #elinchrom #captureone #canon #stilllifephotography #tv_stilllife #macrophotography #lifeandthyme #grapes #eatcaptureshare #fruitporn #moodyfoodphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0DBApBXxE/?igshid=1c9oyaz0qdd0s

[gastrostoria]

I love shooting food and the process of making it. The cultures and lifestyles around producing, gathering and preparing food. . . Growing up with immigrant parents, you learn early on where food comes from, and the power of food to bring people together and how intricately food is connected to identity—and so many other things. . . We were homesteading before it was a thing. I grew up watching my mom make phyllo dough by hand, stretching it out in the long length of the dining room table until it was so thin you could see through it. We had a smokehouse in our suburban backyard and sausages hung from the shed ceiling like stalactites.i do t think I ate store-bought jam until I was in my twenties. . . I know that all of this had a big impact on me and my eventual choice in career. I have done my fair share of travelling, but my dream is to get out there and document the way food touches our lives in a deeper way. . How does food touch your life? . ☀️ Shot in collaboration with @pastaboypeter 🍝 . . #hautescuisines #lifeandthyme #pasta #italianfood #italianfoodporn #processshot #momentslikethese #beautifulcuisines #foodfluffer #huffpotaste #photoshelter #naturallightphotography #vancouverfoodphotographer #vancouverphotographer #foodculture #documentingfood #nothingisordinary #abeautifulmess #eattheworld https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxu2CVEhlFP/?igshid=6f2wa96c1zfb

[gastrostoria]

It’s a long weekend here in B.C., which for me means lots of sunshine, delicious food and good wine. If you’re still enjoying the weekend, I hope you’re having a good one. 🥂 . . .#charcuterie #bcwine #offsetartist #vancouverphotographer #vancouverfoodphotographer #foodgram #hungry #nomnom #foodshare #onmytable #lifeandthyme #yum #food52 #thekitchn #buzzfeast #foodstyling #foodandwine #hautescuisines #foodfluffer #foodlover #feedfeed #eeeeeats #tastemade https://www.instagram.com/p/BxqIY1_hx4P/?igshid=yo3ixgyg3mj9