artificial light for food photographers
Real setups, one light, and clear explanations that actually make things click.
For a long time, I called myself a “natural light only” food photographer.
Not because artificial light wasn’t useful—but because it intimidated the hell out of me. I didn’t want my images to look fake, harsh, or over-lit, and every strobe setup I saw felt overly technical and totally disconnected from how I actually wanted my photos to look.
Also, every time I *tried* to use artificial light it just looked....BAD. And, after awhile, I gave up trying.
Fast-forward a lot of years (and a lot of experimenting), and artificial light is now one of my best creative tools because it gives me control. Control over shadows. Over texture. Over mood. Over freezing motion when I want it.
Artificial Light has become my favorite way to PLAY in my photography.
This class is everything I wish I’d had back when I was afraid of strobes—and it’s designed to help you get confident results without needing a studio full of gear or a physics degree.
If you love the look of natural light but hate being at the mercy of windows, weather, and 3:17 pm in February… this class is for you.
what this class covers
Artificial Light for Food Photographers is for people who want beautiful light, not complicated setups.
This entire class is built around one core idea: you can create stunning, intentional light with just ONE strobe or speedlight.
We dive into:
• Creating the quality of light you actually want. We’re not just talking about “how to light food.” We’re talking about how to create specific types of light—soft and dreamy, dramatic and moody, crisp and contrasty—using distance, angle, and modifiers.
• Modifiers and how to use them
• Shadows as a compositional tool
• Freezing motion
• Capturing texture and detail
AND SO MUCH MORE.
I walk you through full setups and explain not just what I’m doing, but why—so you can start making your own creative lighting decisions instead of copying diagrams and hoping for the best.
By the end of this class, artificial light will feel less like a scary technical hurdle and more like what it should be: a flexible, powerful creative tool that works for you—not against you.
this class is for you if...
- You love the look of natural light but want more control and consistency
- You’re tired of canceling shoots because the light sucks
- You want to shoot in any room, at any time of day, and still get beautiful results
- You’re curious about strobes or speedlights but feel overwhelmed by where to start
- You want to understand why lighting setups work, not just copy them
- You want to create mood, texture, and depth—not just “evenly lit” food
- You’re ready to stop being intimidated by artificial light and start using it confidently
you'll also get...
When you purchase this class you also get 3 months access to The Photo Collective, with community support, live Zoom calls, bonus mini-classes and direct feedback from me
INVESTMENT
When you enroll in Artificial Light for Food Photographers, you get:
• OVER 3 HOURS OF FOCUSED VIDEO LESSONS
Straight to the point, deeply practical, and designed to actually fit into real life.
No 12-hour marathon. No wandering off into technical rabbit holes you don’t need. Just the concepts and setups that will make the biggest difference in your work, fast.
And honestly? This is intentional. I want you shooting, not stuck on lesson 47 wondering when you’ll ever catch up.
• A DOWNLOADABLE CLASS GUIDE
So you know exactly what’s covered, can revisit key concepts easily, and have something tangible to reference when you’re setting up your own shoots.
• 3 MONTHS OF ACCESS TO THE PHOTO COLLECTIVE ($126 VALUE)
This includes twice-monthly live group calls via Zoom (ask questions, get feedback, talk through challenges), additional mini-classes on topics like shooting brown food, visual storytelling, color theory, and more PLUS
a supportive online community of photographers who actually get what you’re trying to do.
ALL FOR THE PRICE OF $297
bundle & save
If you haven’t taken my Art of Food Photography class yet, you can grab both classes together and save $75 with the bundle.
Here’s why they pair so well:
- The Art of Food Photography teaches you composition, natural light, styling, color theory and visual storytelling, as well as how to shoot in Manual Mode and gain control of your camera
- Artificial Light for Food Photographers takes the guesswork (and utter confusion) out of how to use artificial light and gives you the tools you need to create ANY kind of light you want, no matter the weather or time of day
Together, they cover how to see light and how to create it—which is kind of the holy grail of food photography.
If you already own Art of Food Photography, you can grab this class on its own.
If not, the bundle is hands-down the best value.
FAQ
Do I need to know how to use my camera in manual mode?
Yes—this class assumes you already know how to operate your camera in manual mode and understand basic exposure (ISO, aperture, shutter speed)
If that part still feels fuzzy, I cover camera settings and exposure in depth in my Art of Food Photography online class, and there’s also a mini-class on manual mode inside the Photo Collective membership.
This class is focused specifically on lighting with strobes, not camera basics.
Is this class right for me if I’m already experienced with artificial light?
No — and I want to be upfront about that.
This class is designed for photographers who are new to artificial light, or who have tried strobes or speedlights but haven’t been able to get the look and feel they want yet. It’s about building a strong, intuitive foundation: understanding how light behaves, how to shape it intentionally, and how to create beautiful results with simple setups.
If you’re already very comfortable working with artificial light, regularly using complex multi-light setups, or looking for advanced, highly technical lighting theory, this is NOT the class with you.
Is this class about studio strobes or speedlights?
While I am primarily focused on using studio strobe in this class, everything I teach works with either a studio strobe or a speedlight.
Is this class about continuous lighting?
No—this class is focused entirely on flash / strobe lighting, not continuous lights.
What gear do I need?
You’ll need:
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera
- One light (either a studio strobe or a speedlight) on a light stand
- A wireless trigger for your light (this is specific to your camera AND light brand)
- Some way to modify light (softbox, umbrella, scrim, a curtain, etc.)
- White foam core
- Black foam core
I’ll show you the exact gear I use and provide links, but I do not do brand-by-brand gear breakdowns or “you must buy this” lists. Everyone’s budget and setup is different, and the goal of this class is to teach you how to work with what you have (or plan to get), not lock you into specific products.
Also, if you are using a speedlight, not a studio strobe, you will need a bracket to which you can attach modifiers (like this one, although this is light and modifier specific, so make sure to get the right one for your flash!)
How long do I have access to the class?
You’ll have lifetime access, so you can revisit lessons whenever you want and learn at your own pace.
You will also get 3 months access to The Photo Collective Membership (a $126 value) with additional mini classes, twice monthly Zoom meetings and an online community.
Do I get access to you?
Yes! When you purchase this class, you also get 3 months access to The Photo Collective, with community support, twice monthly Zoom calls and bonus mini-classes.
What’s the refund policy?
Because this is a digital product with immediate access to all content, all sales are final.
That said, if you run into technical issues accessing the class or something clearly isn’t working as it should, of course we’ll help you get it sorted. Just email us and we’ll take care of you.
I’m still nervous about artificial light… will this really help?
Honestly? Yes. And I don’t say that lightly.
I built this class specifically for photographers who are intimidated by strobes because that was me for a very long time. I explain things clearly, show real examples, and walk through setups step-by-step so you can actually understand what’s happening instead of just hoping it works.
You don’t need to become a lighting nerd.
You just need to know enough to create the photos you want.
