Kristin Slaby, Prop Stylist

This week we are featuring a professional prop stylist, Kristin Slaby, who works in New York. Here is how she describes her career:

"I have been working as a prop stylist for the past ten years or so. Mainly focusing on food because I enjoy being around food and can relate to food. I have learned over the years even though there are so many wonderful props with color, texture, patterns and shapes that what I need to be aware of is: it's not about the props. It is about the food or the product and this is what I focus on.

"The props cannot upstage the food or the product. They should compliment, and highlight, the food/product, at the same time creating an environment or a story/theme that the client has expressed. The food/product should 'pop' and resonate with the viewer with the help of the props. I hope this little bit of information is helpful to upcoming prop stylists. Please feel free to view my website for examples: http://www.kristinslaby.com/."

San Diego Food Styling and Photography Workshop

Sun, Surf & Food Style was so successful last year that we are offering it again in San Diego on February 20 - 22! The workshop features hands-on Food Styling, Prop Selection, and Food Photography in an exciting interactive venue from leaders in the food styling and photography field. Taught by veteran photo stylist Susan Linnet Cox, food stylist Lisa Golden Schroeder, and food photographer Gregory Bertolini, students will have access to some of the industry’s best. Each of the instructors has over 25 years of industry experience. Food styling students will be working closely with Lisa and Susan actually styling food for editorial and advertising shots. They will also work under the camera with Gregory and leave the class with several portfolio photos.

Susan Linnet Cox has produced, directed, and styled photo shoots throughout the US and internationally. Her book "Photo Styling, How to Build Your Career and Succeed" covers the field of photo styling in detail. Online courses in photo styling are offered on Susan’s popular site photostylingworkshops.com. Susan is also producing this workshop.

Lisa Golden Schroeder is the author of foodesigns.com, an online resource for food photography professionals and one of the producers of the International Conference on Food Styling & Photography at Boston University. A sought after food stylist, published cookbook author, culinary consultant, and teacher, Lisa holds a degree in Nutrition and Food Science/Journalism from the University of Arizona and an advanced culinary diploma from La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in France.

Gregory Bertolini received his BFA in Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology. In addition to his formal education, Gregory has had the unique experience of studying fine art photography with Ansel Adams and fashion photography with Horst P. Horst. His work was recently recognized by Food and Wine magazine in one of the top 10 cookbooks of the year. It is Isabel's Cantina by Isabel Cruz, a California chef and restaurateur. Greg's photography site is http://www.gregorybertolini.com/.

This a fabulous opportunity to learn more about food styling and food photography with a team of industry professionals. You can view more class details in our Gallery. Plus see behind-the-scenes and final images from last year's workshop.

As an added bonus, there is a 30% discount for those of you who have participated in other classes through Photo Styling Workshops and a 50% discount for last years' attendees. I hope you can join us.

Warm regards,
Cindy Epstein, Food Stylist
workshops@photostylingworkshops.com