Food and Product Photography
ART-40730
Food and Product Photography
9 Weeks | Prerequisite: Photo I: Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO (ART-40629). Students must have experience using manual camera settings (aperture, shutter speed & ISO).
If you’ve ever admired a mouthwatering food image or an eye-catching product shot and wondered how to achieve that level of quality, this course will guide you toward mastering the art and technique behind those striking visuals. Food and Product Photography introduces you to the fundamentals of styling, lighting, composition, and storytelling, empowering you to create images that engage viewers across social media, editorial pieces, and commercial campaigns. As you progress through weekly assignments, discussions, and critiques, you’ll develop a refined process to capture and present your subjects compellingly.
Course Details
Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to take advantage of both natural and studio lighting, experiment with color harmonies, and explore various angles and focal lengths. You’ll discover how to build and style sets that amplify your message, and how to manage each step of your workflow—from concept and preparation to editing and sharing images online. With constructive feedback from peers and instructors, you’ll refine your creative voice and develop the confidence to bring your ideas to life.
By the end, you’ll have more than just beautiful images; you’ll possess the technical skills and artistic intuition to craft meaningful, market-ready photographs. You’ll be able to make informed decisions about lighting, styling, and composition, and learn how to best present your work in a professional manner. Whether you’re photographing a gourmet dish or a sleek new product, this course will give you the tools to capture images that leave a lasting impression.
What You'll Learn
- Understand and apply basic principles of food preparation and product styling.
- Manage color and contrast for visually appealing, on-brand images.
- Create styled sets that enhance the subject’s visual impact.
- Compose and arrange subjects to maximize viewer engagement.
- Utilize natural and studio light to establish mood and highlight details.
- Apply proper exposure techniques for consistently high-quality results.
- Confidently select, edit, and prepare images for various platforms.
- Develop a structured workflow, from concept to final presentation.
- Integrate narrative elements into your images to convey a story.
- Adapt your skills for promotional, editorial, and commercial purposes.
Course Information
Equipment/Software: Creative Cloud Photography Plan required (Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom). Full adjustable DSLR or mirrorless camera. Tripod recommended.
Flexible Enrollment: This is an elective course for the Photography: Images and Techniques Professional Certificate, but is open to all students, even if you are not enrolled in the Certificate Program.
Academic Calendar: The Academic Calendar shows the open enrollment dates and term start dates for each quarter. Courses do not necessarily start on the first day of the term.
Course sessions
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This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
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Instructor:
Kendra Jekel
Kendra received her BFA and MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. While there she immersed herself in the study of various photographic techniques, concepts, and historical influences. This foundational education provided her with a strong technical background and a solid understanding of the artistic principles that underpin the medium.
Kendra began her freelance business over 10 years ago and has acquired clients both locally and nationally. She now focuses her work mainly on shooting seasonal menus for local restaurants and helping chefs and food bloggers grow their visual presence. Beyond her personal photography practice, Kendra is also an educator, sharing her expertise and passion for the craft with aspiring photographers.
With her unwavering dedication and a genuine passion for storytelling through the lens, Kendra continues to push the boundaries of photography, creating captivating imagery that leaves a lasting impression on all who encounter her work.