January found me teaching another Food Photography 101 workshop to another group of great local food bloggers. This one was held at Irashai Grill (follow Irashai on twitter here)with the help of their fabulous PR and social media maven Danielle, and of course we had to stay for lunch after which was delicious, as always!

I love all the food bloggers I’ve met through these workshops - they’re all so curious and eager to learn; it’s so awesome! And check out their blogs:

Ethnic Eats and Degan Beley

Fine Lime Designs

Darryl Hodgins

Daily Unadventures in Cooking

The Reluctant Chef

Shermans Food Adventures

Community Kitchens website and blog

Gourmeted

Victoria’s Food Secrets Follow Victoria on Twitter Fan her Facebook Page

And what happens after the workshop always cracks me up: we sit down to eat in a few of the booths, but out come the cameras, putting their workshop knowledge to the test! You can also see some of the bloggers who posted their pics afterwards.

Just a few days before the holidays my assistant extraordinaire and I packed the car full of gear in the wee hours of the morning and headed over to LOCAL Public Eatery to photograph some food, some drink and some people enjoying it all. Who says you can’t enjoy beer and pancakes at 8.30am? We did! (Oh, not the beer - we left that to the boys). Here are some shots from the day.

LOCAL Public Eatery (belonging to Joey Restaurants) is right on the corner of Cornwall and Yew in Kitsilano (where Malone’s used to be) and their big focus is beer. They’ve got what they call lightweight lagers, middle weight ales & brews, and their heavy weights with more flavour. Their mantra from the kitchen is common food done uncommonly well and they have tons of options for all meals of the day.

A big thank you goes out to Ashley, Chef Chris, and all those people who showed up (for beer and pancakes) that morning!

• To connect with LOCAL Public Eatery: twitter • facebook • website • location •

1. Because I got to work with this inspiring and accomplished gardener/writer.

2. Because these specific photo shoots (yes, plural) fit so many of my ‘perfect assignment’ criteria, including what holds the #1 spot on that list: collaboration.

3. Because in a couple of months, there will be this tangible thing I’ll get to hold in my hand and celebrate with the writer on. Rarely does this happen in my line of work.

4. And because she’s just as excited as I am.

(WAHOO!!)

I’ve been reading a lot of everyone’s New Years resolutions, their favourite parts, proudest accomplishments and major milestones from 2009. I certainly experienced some of my own in these departments, as well as some less than favourite parts, all of which I am going to quietly continue to mull over for another day until I firm up the things I am going to rock for 2010 (they’re pretty much all set - it’s just the Type A personality of mine that needs to read through them all yet again).

In the meantime, I’d like to wish you all the very best for 2010! I hope it’s full of new experiences, accomplishments, celebrations, and of course good food & drink with friends & family.

Cheers,

Jackie