R Boost Your Foodstagram Game with Hatchery's Food Photgraphy and Styling Workshop, April 23

Boost Your Foodstagram Game With Hatchery's Food Photography and Styling Workshop, Apr 23

Kyle Mullin | Apr 22, 2017 9:00 am | Add a comment | 1875 reads

If you're one of those foodies who loves snapping shots of your dinner as much as tucking into it, then you're in luck because Hatchery is helping Beijing diners become pro shutterbugs this Sunday (April 23).

The culinary incubator is kicking off a new series of curated food events, workshops, and classes. Dubbed The Food Life, the series' first installment will be this food photography class lead by chef, caterer, culinary consultant and avid food photographer Jamie Pea (see her vivid snaps for yourself on Weibo: jamiepea), and photographer Mark Ma.

"We'll show you how to set the scene, plating techniques and serving tricks and discuss equipment, angles, and depths of field," a statement from Hatchery reads.

Pea says she's eager to share her passion for culinary closeups with the event's attendees. She has "been experimenting with food photography" ever since, adding "but exactly one year ago I fell in love with a graphic designer-photographer who challenged me to create a specific series of food photos."

While that series was specific, it was by no means complicated or elaborate. Instead, Pea says: "Each morning I posted a photo of my breakfast toast, just a simple square of bread with savory/sweet toppings lovingly smeared/piled/sprinkled on top, against a colored paper background. The feedback was incredible. I couldn't believe the emotional responses that a simple breakfast toast could elicit from friends and strangers ... It gave me a new appreciation for how food photography connects the stomach, heart, and mind."

"A single, well-thought-out photo that has the right colors, angle, and background, and captures the essence of the food being shot will give people childhood memories, smiles, and hopefully some drools," she continues.

That sentimental source of her passion is something Pea hopes to ignite in her students on Sunday. "These days, even if you aren't aiming to be a pro food photographer, you can't deny how food photos on social media are part and parcel of everyday life. Everyone's gotta eat, and everyone connects through food, so upping your food porn game is a way to celebrate that connection and honor our everyday eats."

Her Hatchery lesson will be equally as accessible. "I'm drawn to a more minimal presentations, with settings that aren't overly contrived – really, when you're eating a bowl of oatmeal do you really have blueberries rolling around haphazardly on your table?" she says.

Those who enjoy Pea's pictures, or are curious about how she became such a skilled shutterbug herself, should check out some of her inspirations online.

"My favorite food bloggers, photographers, and chefs are Molly Yeh (Instagram: @mollyyeh), Heidi Swanson (@heidijswanson), What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today (@whatforbreakfast), David Loftus (@davidloftus), Chef Jacques LaMerde (@chefjacqueslamerde), Sqirl restaurant's cookbook (@sqirlla), Cherry Li (@cherryfoodphoto) and Lady and Pups (@ladyandpups)," she says, before eagerly pointing out: "The last two are both former Beijingers!"

Who knows? Once the class wraps up, and Pea and Ma's students get some practice snapping photos in that fashion, maybe Pea will be listing them alongside Cherry Li and Lady and Pups as some of her favorite Beijing foodstagrammers.

The workshop will be held Sunday, April 23 at 1.30pm in Chinese and at 3.30pm in English. Tickets are RMB 150 and space is limited. You can book by clicking here or scanning the QR code below. You can also read more about the event here.