Pt. Reyes Workshop Recap

by Lizzy W   |   September 21, 2017   |   5 Comments

One of the most difficult parts for me about attending these food photography workshops, is parting ways with all the amazing people I meet after our time is up. This workshop in particular had such a deep impact on me, and was desperately needed at a difficult time of my life (just feeling a bit lost lately with balancing my blogging/work). Moments after I said my goodbyes, stepped out of the restoration hardware-like farmhouse we had been sharing the past three days, walked down the wood steps (partially filled with chickens lounging and clucking), and made my way down the dirt road into my rental car, my eyes filled with tears. Mixed tears of joy and sadness; not quite ready to go back to my normal life just yet. It’s so rare that we allow ourselves so much time to enjoy our passions, nourishing our souls in such an important way. I try to remember that when I get so bogged down from time to time with the stresses of everyday life.

This was the second workshop I’ve attended with Betty Liu, first with Bella, and most definitely not the last with either. As per usual, I was filled with nerves before arriving, but they disappeared as soon as I drove up and saw Betty. As we sat waiting for the rest of the bloggers/photographers/workshop attendees to arrive, the excitement began to build. Let me set the scene a little bit – chickens tip toing around the deck of the house, goats yelling at each other from other from across the field, sheep sun-bathing on the hill tops, horses grazing in the pasture across the road, goat cheese being made in the creamery behind us – it was beyond peaceful, and I was so excited to begin to try to capture some of it on camera with the other girls.

I hope I’ve set the landscape around the house just right for you, because now it’s time to get to the food. We had the pleasure of having Matt Flores from Sacramento cooking all weekend for us, and holy crap – I am now spoiled for life – this man can COOK! From sun up to sun down, he was working his magic in the kitchen, getting everything prepped and cooked so that we could style and photograph. Not only that, but he had clearly been working weeks ahead of time, because he had prepared side dishes of things like pickled citrus fennel, homemade tomato sauce for our pizzas, and that’s just to name a couple.

Once Matt finished preparing various dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, we would style and photograph. I have to say, I got some of my favorite food photos from this workshop. This was a breakfast quiche he made – farm fresh eggs, veggies picked from the garden, and fresh goat cheese made right from the farm – does it get any better than that!?

I call this one “Matcha in the Shadows”.

I never realized how much fun it could be just to play with lighting… so dramatic!

Here are some of my other favorite photos from the workshop:

This pistachio rosewater cake styling session was a particular favorite of mine. I can’t wait till Bella posts it on her blog!!!

This photo was my favorite from the weekend 🙂 . The most epic cheese spread EVER.

Every night they had a different fabulous table-scape set for photos.

And of course… hand painted menus by Pigment & Parchment – she is so talented!!

Counting down the days till I can do this again! 🙂