15 January 2012

one year

mf



One year ago today I had been out of school just a month with no clue what to do. I missed the graduation ceremony to go to Texas, I didn't have a job or any prospects in sight and had just watched 'Julie & Julia' the previous night. I knew I wanted to still do photos, but in school I didn't more artsy photos. All film, just moments in life that I wanted to capture. Lots of nudes, artful though; people jumping through fields, hidden in the forest, sitting by the ocean. When they were discussed in class sexuality never even came into play. So how did I come to do food photography you might ask? Well I had always baked and cooked. Even as young as middle school, I was always assigned the dessert for holiday events. Culinary school was my dream but then after a photo class at community college with the greatest teacher I ever had, culinary got put to the wayside. 


So when I was out of college with nothing to do, I started to bake. And I mean at least one recipe per day, normally more. I do not do well with free time. So after baking and baking I realized I hadn't been taking any photos. I had never given any thought to food photography, even while having the assignment in school, I didn't like it. 


I didn't think it could be artful. But then one day I saw the blog 'What Katie Ate' and was astonished. From that moment I fell in love with all her photos. So when I watched 'Julie & Julia' the next day I said what the hell, and started my own blog. One year later and I am still at it. The photos have definitely gotten better. At first I didn't understand the importance of props, textures, backgrounds. They add so much to the photo. Looking back at my first few posts, I can see a major progression of the photos. 


So I have the blog to thank for me continuing doing photography, pushing me to make things I wouldn't have, giving me the courage to apply for a job (and get) at a bakery and finally a few proper food photography jobs. 


So for my one year anniversary post I have for you a feast.

Blue Brie Basil Cheesecake

Plum Butter

Orange Compote 

Earl Grey Roll Cake (failed on the 'roll' part but succeeded on the taste part)

Pear Skillet Cake




Enjoy. The savory take on a cheesecake was my absolute favorite. All the different kinds of cheeses blended together in it but then on some bites you would get a kick of the blue, a bit of the  brie crust, it was fabulous. 

Earl Grey cake, enough said. Its love.



mf3



mf6






mf2



mf4






mf7



mf5




mf8







mf9



mf10




mf13






mf11



mf12




recipes from southern living & martha stewart

47 comments:

Angela @the fairy bread chronicles said...

happy blog birthday! as always the photography is just amazing :) i know i will be reading another birthday post next year!

rachael adele // for the love of design said...

your photos are always stunning. it was lovely to get to hear a little about how your blog got it's start! :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I love your photography. I just started my own blog about learning to cook, because I want to be both a better cook and a better photographer. and if my blog is ever even half as beautiful as yours it will be great. Thanks for your posts.

Mary @ Bake Break said...

I'm just getting going on my food blog - 2 months in now - and KNOW I need to learn more about photography. You always have beautiful stuff, definitely inspiring for me! Hopefully I'll be able to learn something just by following your posts.

Anonymous said...

That is so inspiring (and more than a little humbling) hearing how you started this blog and built up what you're doing! These recipes, the photos - everything about this looks amazing! But I wouldn't expect anything different from you :)

Anh said...

i am so glad you started this blog! It's unique and so inspiring.

Patrizia said...

I find it amazing of all, photos and recipes, start a blog well done, you can see the progression and gratifies us much,
is a true example to us all.
Congratulations and happy birthday

Madeleine said...

I had no idea you were so young! congratulations on your blog anniversary and everything you've achieved in the past year. your photographs are absolutely beautiful and so inspiring. awesome post as well, I particularly like that first pear skillet cake shot.
hope the next year will be just as good as this past one!

Nicole said...

Happy blog birthday! Your photos are fantastic.

I have no patience to make pretty food (just stuff that tastes good)... and I envy the skills of those who can!

athena said...

So glad you decided to take the plunge and start a blog... look at where you are now, inspiring and influencing so many others (including myself) as Katie's blog did for you. Thanks so much for that. The Earl Grey Roll Cake and Pear Skillet Cake are must-do's on my ever-growing baking list. I have to remember to 'thank' my blog for continuing to push me, both in baking and photography.

Happy blogiversary, Julie!

N said...

Congratulations! You have such a beautiful blog... Like you I did photography in school, "artful" photography but always shunted food photography to the side - but i think your pictures prove exactly how food photography is a creative process and construction that orients people and community in new and beautiful ways... excited for many more years and recipes to come =)

LissyLou said...

yum yum !!!

Happy 1st blogiversary xx

Unknown said...

This is too lovely. I like hearing your story. I know you'll go places. How could you not? You're a beautiful chef and a talented photographer!

christelle is flabbergasting said...

Congrats for you accomplishments! I wish you more… so we can share another feast together on your blog! ;)

Cindy said...

yay! happy 1-year to your blog! I have to say, your photos are so, so lovely and a true inspiration! cheers!

Eggton said...

I am so happy for you. It's an enormous achievement and you should be so, so proud.

Sanda Vuckovic Pagaimo said...

Congratulations for a great job you do!!Love you recipes and photos.

A Plum By Any Other Name said...

I've so enjoyed coming along with you. Looking forward to more wonderful recipes and food art! ;)

Gabriela Oliveira said...

Gongrats, great recipes and great photos.

Best wishes from Brazil.

Christina Topf-Boman said...

if your Earl Grey roll is anything like the Earl Grey cupcake I had from your bakery the other day....you know what you can make for me ANYTIME!! Way to go Julie-I love reading your blog!!
xoxo c & a

antonia said...

congratulations! wonderful work!

terri said...

Congrats! Love, love your blog!!! I too love Julie & Julia! My hubby did too! We came home and I made a plum tartin to celebrate! Your photos are an inspiration. Keep inspiring us and tempting us (I am on a diet!) with mouthwatering recipes and photos.

Deb said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! Your photos are stunning and we very much appreciate the sharing of your time and talents.

Gintare @Gourmantine said...

Congrats with the blog anniversary and may I wish many more to come! :) The blue brie and basil cheesecake looks out of this world! Such an original idea! :)

emma miller said...

You are so crazy talented! Your photos automatically send my stomach into an anticipatory food frenzy!!!

Emily (Adeline & Lumiere) said...

Your beginning sounds similar to mine. I have learnt so, so much in the past 6 months and I love every minute of it! I look forward to the one year anniversary. Congratulations on your milestone and beautiful blog!

Jenny said...

Congratulations on your blogs birthday! I absolutely love your blog, your photos are so inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Feast indeed! That roll is certainly not a failure -- it's gorgeous, and the flavor combination is intriguing. I'll definitely look into that. The cheesecake as well!

Cheers,

*Heather*

Nelle Somerville said...

Happy blog'aversary!

Sarah van Loon said...

Happy Anniversary, and congratulations for taking that first step, taking these pictures, and continuing to move forward. Your words (and ambition, photographs, and recipes!) are a huge inspiration to me. Thank you. :)

Unknown said...

All of the photos are beautiful! And an Earl Grey cake sounds so delicious

Bob Vivant said...

Happy Anniversary! I can't believe you've only been at this for a year--wow. I came for the photos and stayed for the unbeatable recipes. Wishing you the very best in your second year.

-Bobbi

Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having said...

Happy Blogaversary! I just discovered your blog recently and love it. Your photography is gorgeous and your recipes sound wonderful. I can`t wait to try the skillet cake!

MaryElizabeth said...

Hi. I just found your blog and I LOVE it. Creative, delicious recipes, and great pictures. I'm hooked already.

Jessica said...

Congratulations! Your blog is lovely and an inspiration. I hope I can have as much of your success with my blog one day :)

the vanilla bean blog said...

Lovely! And congrats on one year. Your photos are stunning and I love coming here to be inspired. I'm glad you tried out food photography. :)

Sandy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandy said...

Congratulations. It is hard to believe one year has gone by. The recipes, the food, and best of all the photos. You have a talent Julie. I love your photos. Proud of you.

Unknown said...

Congratulation and happy blog birthday! loving being here yours pic are stellar! pear skillet cake and earl grey cake are too be tried.

Allison Mannella said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Allison said...

Congratulations and happy blog-iversary! I have so loved discovering your blog and seeing your beautiful photography over the past year. Isn't it funny how life leads us to where we should be? Best wishes for the coming year!

Anonymous said...

Have you tried rolling the cake up in a towel while its still warm and letting it cool. Then once its cool you can unroll it and fill it.

Pea and Pear said...

Your photos are insanely beautiful. They make me want to fall asleep and dream.
I am so excited I discovered your enchanting blog. Finding it is definitely going onto today's list of "3 wonderful things that happened to me today".

Mike said...

I'm going trying making that earl grey roll cake tomorrow!
It looks unbelievable!!!!

Grace said...

Hey, I recently found your blog and it is beautiful! I love Earl Grey tea so I have no doubt that your cake roll will be delicious. If you want it to roll smoothly, I found this tip somewhere.... Before you pour the batter into the pan, line it with waxed paper or parchment paper. While it's baking, lightly shake powdered sugar evenly onto a (fabric) towel. Then, as soon as your cake is baked, IMMEDIATELY turn it out onto the towel (the paper lining helps it turn out without tearing). Quickly and carefully peel off the paper. Then, roll it up in the towel. Allow it to completely cool while it's rolled up. Then, once it's cool, you can carefully unroll it, spread your filling on, and roll it back up. Then it won't crack! And it will be even more beautiful! I've tried this before with an ice cream roll and it worked really well.

Anonymous said...

I was looking at the Earl grey rool cake, looks great, would love to try and make this but i cant read what the word under 3 eggs is, can anyone help?

Julie Marie said...

the word under eggs is vanilla