WORKSHOP: Rembrandt with a Camera: Styling and Shooting Fauna & Fare in London Saturday June 29th & Sunday June 30th 2019 -SOLD OUT-

February 24, 2019 By stemsandforks 1 Comment

Rembrandt with a Camera: Styling Fauna & Fare In London

SOLD OUT — Two Day Intense Master Class

Saturday June 29th and Sunday June 30th 2019

In the spirit of the Dutch Golden Age still life paintings, we will be creating beauty “Vanitas” style. The idea that life is transient. As fragile as a plucked apple with her skin peeled exposing her vulnerable flesh. As futile as a tulip, blooming to a magnificent bloom only to drop its petals and bear seeds showing a new phase of life that is equally beguiling. The certainty of death, the reality of life for fruit, flower or man is ephemeral. When observing these Dutch masters still life paintings, they’re saturated with opulence yet dotted with frailty and decay to remind us of our futility. An exotic insect, a willful jasmine strand or an imperfectly perfect cluster of decaying grapes.

Of course there is much intention and order when arranging asymmetrical still life’s. Every flower, every fruit and goblet has its place. We will examine how to translate and capture untamed poignant beauty through still life photography and styling.

Join us Aimee Twigger @TwiggStudios Twigg Studios, Elise Dumas @ThePineappleChef The Pineapple Chef and Betty Binon @StemsAndForks Stems & Forks for 2 full intense but fun days of learning. Whether you’re a hobby photographer and need camera knowledge or an established influencer looking for motivation and inspiration. You’ll get tons of styling, photography advice and inspiration that will thrust you to the next level. We’ll have step-by-step demos, hands-on practice breakouts with the instructors guiding each participant individually.

There will even be a session where participants make their own floral crown. This will segue us to discover the art of portrait photography and the Rembrandt triangle. And of course there will be cake and macarons, food props, boards, fresh botanicals and fruits to style and shoot.

All this followed up by an intense hands on lesson on how to edit your images on Adobe Lightroom Classic CC.

We’ll also have a session on how to navigate social media and treat your blog/social media like a business. So come armed with your questions.

When: June 29 and June 30, 2019

Saturday June 29th 2019

9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Sunday June 30th 2019

9:30 AM to 5:00 PM followed by a toast to close the workshop

Where: Central London, England. Exact location TBA

What is this workshop about?

Spend 2 intense but fun days in a studio in the heart of London, with Aimee Twigger, Elise Dumas and Betty Binon to learn all their handy tips and expertise on capturing that picture-perfect shot.

Topics to be covered:

Camera Basics:

-Shooting in manual with your DSLR camera

-The importance of ISO, aperture, shutter and shooting in RAW

Using Natural Lighting:

-Using natural light to create light and airy or dark and moody shots

-how to manipulate a dark and moody scene

-how to remove shadows, add shadows etc.

Food Styling:

-Exploring various types of props and how to use them to their fullest to elevate your story

-Telling a visual story…how to style your product/subject to reflect it’s fullest potential…composition, angles, lighting, tone, colour etc. in a photograph

-Styling and Capturing the essence of a Dutch Still life

Flower Crown Tutorial:

-Fresh floral crown demo and DIY floral crown with your own fresh flowers

Portrait photography:

-how to use lighting effectively, capturing the character/personality of your subject, tips on maintaining flattering positions of your subject, the Rembrandt triangle etc…

Adobe Lightroom Classic CC

-Adobe Lightroom editing skills – transform your image with Lightroom Classic CC including some tips and tricks

-Learn all the modules and sliders in Lightroom and what they do

Social Media and Making your Blog a Business:

-Navigating social media – and how to grow your followers and engagement

-Making your blog into a business

-how to make a media kit – price list

Who should attend?

This program is ideal for food bloggers, floral designers, social media influencers, food stylist and photographers and those interested in photography and/or styling your food, flowers or subject to tell a visual story. The workshop welcomes the beginner photographer and the refined photographer looking for inspiration and a different edge on styling. We recommend a DSLR camera, however, phone cameras/point and shoot cameras are welcome too.

Languages:

The entire workshop will be taught in English (French available on request)

Cost: £750 for both days

Single day: £440 (however we strongly recommend that both days be attended to fully appreciate and absorb the material/information)

(Not included: Travel and accommodations)

This cost will cover snacks, drinks (alcohol not included) and a light lunch, materials and flowers for the floral crown and styling for both days of the workshop.

Instructors: Betty Binon, Elise Dumas and Aimee Twigger

FOR ALL BOOKINGS please email: aimeetwigger@aol.com

For general inquiries, please email

Betty Binon: contact@stemsandforks.com

Elise Dumas: thepineapplechef@gmail.com

We will be limiting the number of participants to a small group of 15 to ensure maximal one-on-one time. Spaces are limited so booking early is highly recommended.

Bookings are non-refundable unless you are able to find someone to take your place.

See you there!

SOLD OUT Toronto FOOD STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Saturday April 6th 2019

February 23, 2019 By stemsandforks Leave a Comment

One Day Intensive Workshop

Saturday April 6th 2019

This workshop will demonstrate how to style food to tell the best and most appropriate visual story for your food or subject. Through elements such as props, natural light, angles, botanicals and editing, the simplest food or subject can be transformed into an opulent visual story. Learn how to achieve a bright and vibrant scene or a dark and moody painterly capture.

There will be a hands on style sessions where you can create a still life scene with cake, food and props. As well as an opportunity to work with a model to learn the art of Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro/lighting and triangle technique in portraits. All this will be followed up with a tutorial on editing your work in Adobe Lightroom.

Spaces are very LIMITED so book soon.

Saturday, April 6th 2019 From 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Time: 9:30 AM- 5:30 PM

Instructors:

Betty Binon @stemsandforks

Where:

Spend the day in my studio North of TORONTO to learn:

My studio in Thornhill, Ontario 1 km north of Toronto (Bayview/Steeles area). With ample space, windows and props.

Topics Covered:

-the art and theory behind styling your food or subject to tell a visual story

-chiaroscuro effect in photography: how to manipulate natural light to its fullest to create strong light and dark shadows

-alternatively, how to brighten your subject to eliminate shadows with limited tools and/or instruments

-how to create a strong effective mood and story with minimal props in your home or business

-Shooting in manual with your DSLR camera

-the importance of ISO, aperture, shutter and shooting in raw

-we will style a food scene, shoot it and edit on Adobe Lightroom with Betty’s help

-Adobe Lightroom editing skills-best practices to transform your image with Lightroom including some very handy hacks- I will share ALL my Lightroom skills

-Navigating social media — and how to grow your followers and engagement

-How to make your blog a business/brand

There will be a large selection of props and food boards you can choose from to use for our break out sessions as well some fresh flowers, vines from the garden and produce available for your still life shots.

Who should attend?

This program is ideal for food bloggers, beginner photographers, floral designers, social media influencers, food stylist, food industry specialists such as restaurant owners, and portrait photographers and those interested in photography and/or styling your food, flowers or subject with an edge. I recommend a DSLR camera, however, phone cameras/point and shoot cameras are welcome too.

Cost:

Total price: $490.00 (Canadian) includes all materials, lunch and refreshments.

For ALL BOOKINGS and inquiries please email Betty Binon contact@stemsandforks.com

I will be limiting the number of participants to a very small group to ensure lots of 1:1 time. Spaces are limited so booking early is highly recommended.

BRING: Laptop with Adobe Lightroom Classic CC installed, Camera with memory card and fully charged battery, tripod (if avail) and any special props you’d like to use. However loads of props here you can use to style and shoot with.

Bookings are non-refundable unless you are able to find someone to take your place.

Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the facilitators.

Not included: Travel and accommodations. Please email contact@stemsandforks.comfor accommodation recommendations.

Please email contact@stemsandforks.com for inquiries or bookings.

See you there!

When Foodies Get Together

February 8, 2019 By stemsandforks Leave a Comment

Carrots, parsnips, onions and potatoes generously supplied by Gwillimdale Farms

What makes me happy? My kids. But a close runner up is teaching what I love. Photography, styling and editing. Last fall I had the immense pleasure to share my knowledge of photography, styling and Adobe Lightroom editing with the following 10 incredible ladies last year October/November 2018. Some were bloggers, professional photographers, bakers and we even had a published author!

The Creatives:

Gorgeous Cake made by Libby from Sift Baking

Libby, (supplied cake above) Cake Baker/Artist and owner of Sift Baking Co.

@libbyluewho

Rockie @lipstickaddictanonymous

Rockie, (above) photographer and make up guru and reviewer

@lipstickaddictanonymous

@the.wunderkammer

Marie Lou @marielouphotography

Marie Lou, (above) photographer, food blogger and artist marielou.photography.com

@marielouphotography

Ira @ira_yakobson

Ira, (pictured above) Photographer, writer and social media influencer anhonestblog.com

@ira_yakobson

Irene,(photo unavailable) photographer, writer, artist

@reenobeano

Nicole, @nicoleburnsfood

Nicole, (pictured above) food nerd and blogger nicoleburnsfood.com

@nicoleburnsfood

Nat, @natcaronphoto

Nat, (Pictured above) photographer and owner of her photography studio NatCaronPhotography.com

@natcaronphoto

Chloe, @misschloegolightly

Chloe, (pictured above) photographer, scientific illustrator, food enthusiast

@misschloegolightly

Jennifer, @thelemonapron

Jennifer, (pictured above) photographer and food blogger of thelemonapron.com

@thelemonapron

Amela, @theatrumvitae

Amela,(pictured above) published author, photographer, food enthusiast

@theatrumvitae

A wonderful, talented group of ladies. Please do visit their digital channels.

Hippie Snacks and SweeTango apples for lunch

Salad garnishing with Hippie Snacks

We were all present at the workshops for the same reason. Our love for beauty and our appreciation and respect for food. I realize this blog is 2 months overdue, but life and work got in the way. Better late than never!

A special BIG thank you to all our sponsors who made our workshops extra special with props, ingredients and gifts.

Mushrooms generously donated to us from Produce Made Simple

Sponsors:

Hippie Snacks

“Delicious non-GMO, vegan, GF snacks made from whole food ingredients.”

www.hippiesnacks.com

@hippiesnacksorganic

Hello Flavour

“Introducing HelloFlavour.ca from McCormick Canada. Follow HelloFlavour.ca for flavour inspiration, recipes and meal ideas”

www.helloflavour.ca

@helloflavour

SweeTango Apples

“SweeTango apples are unmistakably crunch and sweet with a lively touch of citrus, honey and spice”

www.sweeTango.com

@SweeTango_apple

Produce Made Simple

“The Ontario Produce Marketing Association is a non-profit association responsible for facilitating trade and promoting the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. The OPMA is funded by its members, comprised of companies working within the produce industry such as growers, wholesalers, shippers, and retailers.”

Www.producemadesimple.ca

@producemadesimple

Gwillimdale Farms

“Gwillimdale Farms is family owned and operated by The Hambly’s. Our President, John and his children are 4th and 5th generation farmers. Today, we are one of Ontario’s largest growers, packers & shippers of fresh root vegetables.”

www.gwillimdalefarms.com

@gwillimdalefarms

Sift Baking

“Signature and custom cakes for life’s celebrations – birthdays, fancy dinners, anniversaries, weddings, or a simple get-together with friends. Let me help you be the hero of your next party. Bring on the cake!”

www.siftbaking.com

@libbyluewho

A a special thank you for documenting the event goes to Alexa of @ajfernando. XOXO

Couldn’t have done it without these incredible products and partners. Merci Beaucoup!

When foodies get together, we eat, we laugh and we create friendships and bonds that last forever. Thank you ladies. xo

Chocolate Swiss Meringue cookies supplied by Libby of Sift Baking.

Still Life Styled by Ira Yakobson

Beets and Onions provided as props and gifts to the participants by Gwillimdale Farms

Mini cakes made with Hello Flavour’s Club House spices and extracts and topped with Hippie Snacks

Fresh SweeTango apples. Participants had a blast crunching away at the Guinness World Record for “Loudest Crunch of an Apple” (March 2016) “

Chocolate/orange and coffee cake with macaron tower made with Hello Flavour spices and garnished with Hippie Snacks

Beautiful 12 grain soda bread brought by one of the participants Amela @theatrumvitae

Jennifer of @thelemonapron brought this beautiful pie!

Mochi Balls with Fermented Organic Blueberries from Chile

January 18, 2019 By stemsandforks 2 Comments

This post was sponsored by Fruits From Chile. All thoughts and opinions are my own

If you didn’t get it right with your new year’s resolutions this month, don’t worry. There’s another new year coming up on February 5th 2019 and you can start anew! With the Lunar new year just around the corner, I thought these Mochi Balls filled with lacto fermented organic Chilean Blueberries would be perfect to ring in the new year and provide a second opportunity to become healthier and kinder to one’s body and mind.

Lacto-Fermented Foods:

So we all know how naturally fermented foods provide healthy probiotic bacteria. Stuff that’s good for our gut. Studies have shown that the natural probiotics created from fermentation also increases vitamin content thereby boosting our immunity naturally which helps fend off the flu and cold. (source) Consuming fermented foods are also safer to consume than raw as the lactic acids essentially kill off the bad bacteria such as E-Coli. (Source) And it has been proven time and again that improving gut health aids digestion thereby helping promote healthy body weight. It doesn’t stop here. There are a plethora of reasons lacto fermented foods are good for us.

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Kumquot Orange Cake with a Grand Marnier Pomegranate Icing

December 23, 2018 By stemsandforks 6 Comments

This post was sponsored by Paderno. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My long term memory is strong, vivid and somewhat creepy. A couple years ago I ran into a classmate from grade 5 on the bus. Her face was exactly the same. Dimpled chin, large freckles and green eyes. I had fond memories of her. The first time I ever had a pomegranate was in fact when Kelly offered me half the fruit. I still remember sitting in the classroom portable and Kelly telling me that we had to count how many little “ruby” seeds there were in one pomegranate. It was something she would do with her brother at home. Count every single red juicy gem and report back home on a pomegranate chart. Apparently the average was 500.

I remember that first seed I popped into my mouth. The sweet, sharp yet sour juice bursting in my mouth was unique. And simply a lot of fun plucking the little gems and counting them.

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Grapefruit Rosemary Vodka Fizz with Montellier Sparkling Water

December 20, 2018 By stemsandforks 4 Comments

This post was sponsored by Montellier Sparkling Water. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Grapefruit, lime, rosemary, ginger and vodka with a splash of sparkling water. With those ingredients, I think this drink should be renamed to Winter’s Healing Cocktail!

I have a confession. I was a late bloomer with cocktail consumption. In my twenties when Sex and the City was at its peak, every Generation X’er was drinking Cosmopolitans pre dinner. I however would always order a simple unadulterated glass of red wine. I was a purist when it came to alcohol. Anything mixed with syrups and fruits then shaken with ice and priced over $15 did not rock my boat. I felt I was too “mature” (and perhaps frugal!) to have spiked fruit punch before dinner.

Well the pendulum has definitely swung the other way. Now cocktails are my new obsession. The flavour combos are infinite. The whole shaken or stirred, ice or no ice, to garnish or not, to make it fizz or flat, warm or cold and to find the appropriate glass to reflect the cocktail’s personality are not immature at all. It’s really and truly ART. Or as I like to call it now. Its like cake in a glass!

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Kimchi Walnut and Arugula Crostini with Campania Tomato Sauce

December 7, 2018 By stemsandforks 4 Comments

This post is a not for profit collaboration with Mealshare. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I could sit here and lecture you all about sharing, giving and ending youth hunger but lets be frank. The reality is most of us want to enjoy our first world lives…dinner out with friends and family. But I know We ALL Want to make a DIFFERENCE. Which is why the concept behind Mealshare is brilliant.

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Food Styling and Photography Workshop Paris France-Saturday February 2nd 2019

December 5, 2018 By stemsandforks Leave a Comment

SOLD OUT

POUR LE FRANÇAIS 🇫🇷, VOIR CI-DESSOUS

Elise Dumas from @thepineapplechef and I are thrilled to announce that we’ll be joining forces again to offer an intense full day workshop from the city of love, Paris France.

Join us for a full day of intensive learning – whether you’re a hobby photographer or an established influencer, you’ll get tons of styling and photography advice and inspiration to thrust you to the next level. We’ll have step-by-step demos, hands-on practice breakouts with Elise and I guiding each participant individually. All our tips and tricks will be shared so come armed with questions. We’ll also have a practical session on how to navigate social media and treat your blog/social media like a business. We’ll have available food props, boards, fresh botanicals and of course food to style and shoot.

Spaces are limited so book soon.

Food Styling and Photography Master Class:

When:

Saturday, February 2nd 2019

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Where:

Gorgeous classic Parisian Studio in the trendy 7th Arrondissement, Paris, France

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Mulled Wine Chocolate Cake with Mulled Wine Swiss Meringue Buttercream and Poached Pears

November 19, 2018 By stemsandforks 16 Comments

This post was sponsored by Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Wines. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please enjoy wine responsibly.

Wine, chocolate and cake. My three Achilles heel, my guilty pleasures, my three best amigos. These three are my food soulmates. I know it sounds extreme but that’s how much I love wine, chocolate and cake. And interestingly all three came at different points in my life.

Cake.

As a child, I’d remember attending birthday parties and seeing my friends crowd around the gift table ogling all the colourfully wrapped gifts shaking, sniffing and guessing what was in each package. I however, would be in the kitchen ogling the cake. Wondering what flavour was inside. Praying the icing wasn’t that flavourless saccharin drenched grease from a can but a fluffy home made butter cream or cream cheese icing. I’d then cue myself up in the line of kids just so, to make sure I got the right piece. That is, the largest piece and the piece from the moist centre. And of course, I always had seconds and occasionally thirds.

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Spiced Rum, Date, Walnut, Molasses Bundt Cake with Rum Caramel Drizzle

October 7, 2018 By stemsandforks 17 Comments

Koreans can’t bake.

That’s been my insecurity since starting this baking journey. That I’m Korean. And unlike my fellow caucasian friends, I have no family pie recipe or a mom that baked chocolate chip cookies with me on Saturday mornings. The only things I baked as a child were Pillsbury crescents from a tin or boxed Duncan Hines. Baking from scratch was never a part of my family growing up.

Instead, my Saturdays consisted of Korean language classes followed by math drills with Sargent Shin… and his chopstick wand. After math, my sisters and I would get to watch some TV whilst stuffing thousands of Korean dumplings called “mandu”. Okay. Maybe not thousands but god did it ever feel like thousands! Only after all the mandus were stuffed and our math drills were done correctly, were my sisters and I allowed to bake Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake. And if we were really lucky, my mom would have bought the chocolate icing in a carton for us to ice the yellow cake with. As a child, baking this cake and devouring it was my escape, my utopia, my moment of being unkorean.

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