I’ve written about this book project here numerous times, but I just can’t help it - I love it!  This time though, you can participate instead of just reading about it here: Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks is hosting a launch of Sugar Snaps and Strawberries: Simple Solutions for Creating Your Own Small-Space Edible Garden. The author  Andrea Bellamy and I will be there and we’d love for you to join us!

This beautifully photographed guide is an inspiration to those wanting to grow veggie patches on balconies, patios and the tiniest of urban plots. Filled with practical tips, pointers and problem-solving ideas, Sugar Snaps and Strawberries is a great guide for growing edible landscapes in any small space.

See the event listing here and call Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks at 604-688-6755 to RSVP/for tickets.

Andrea and I hope to see you there!

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This is a general call out to all gardeners who have a particularly photogenic garden and would like to see photos of their garden and it’s creations in the Vancouver-based GardenWise magazine. I’m looking for 2 types of gardens to photograph this Summer:

1. Vancouver Community Gardens ~ this is pretty self-explanatory; looking for a wide variety of people and ages who have plots in Vancouver community gardens. You don’t have to have the best garden in the group, more interested in capturing a variety.
2. A bountiful, spacious home garden either in Vancouver or on Vancouver Island ~ specifically I need a ‘well forested’ area to set up a scene, colourful garden furniture and decor, porch with container gardening (definitely with florals and edibles could be included as well). You may be ok with being photographed in the background, and may have a dog or cat that wouldn’t mind being included as well!

If you have anything listed here, please email me or call me at 1.866.964.8066.

Thank you!

We’re nearing the next 2 workshops, and there’s only a few spots left if you’re wanting to improve your food photography skills!

• SOLD OUT! Food Photography+Food Styling 101: A Workshop for Food Bloggers & Other Creative Types
Taught by myself and my food stylist Angie Martin, we’ll show you how to not only photograph your dishes, but techniques on how to cook for the camera. We’ll debunk myths about using glue, paint & other toxic materials in food photography (hint hint: we prefer the natural way of doing things, though a touch of glue can do wonders!)
Saturday March 27th, 1pm
• 1 SPOT LEFT! (c’mon…you know you want it) Food Photography 101: A Workshop for Food Bloggers & Other Creative Types
The focus here will be of course on the technical side of food photography as we’ve done in the past, but also because of all the feedback and questions I’ve received on this topic I’ll spend a large part of the workshop on composition (where does that darn fork go?!).
Saturday April 3rd, 1pm
Venue: The Refinery
$45 (gst included)

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I continually get asked by those learning food photography how to shoot better in restaurants with low lighting, or at home in natural light, and without spending wads of cash on equipment. That is exactly what these workshop are all about: simple and affordable solutions that will improve your photographs. We’ll be doing a bit of talking but mostly shooting, so be sure to bring your gear. Not a food blogger, but love shooting your kitchen creations and want to learn new techniques? You’re more than welcome too!

The Details:

• • Guaranteed 1-on-1 time for every student
• • I will teach you step-by-step how to set-up your shots using some specific food & beverage examples, focussing on using your camera’s manual settings
• • I will be sending out some refresher notes before-hand, and some workshop notes for you to take away from the session
• • All you are required to bring is your camera, it’s manual and a tripod
• • I don’t accept more than 10 people to a workshop to ensure that I can give each of you dedicated 1-on-1 time.
• • The last 2 workshops filled up & sold out quite quickly, and payment is required to hold your spot. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions!
• • Click here to read info/see pics from previous workshops
• • To register for a workshop, please email Jackie and I will send you the PayPal details

Here’s something from The Fish House in Stanley Park photographed by yours truly to inspire your leisurely lunching activities. (c’mon, what, you mean you don’t go lunching?!)

Check out this cute video for UBC Farm, a couple shots of mine in there too. I was sent a link to it today because I signed a petition last October created by Friends of UBC Farm and The Wilderness Committee to save UBC Farm from University construction and a sea of condo buildings, along with 4,949 other people who feel the same way. Woohoo! And now my ‘Jackie loves UBC Farm card’ is on it’s way.

Do you love UBC Farm? Click here to donate, and keep up to date on Farm activities and general farm fun on their blog.

courtesy of UBC Farm website