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The Academy – Styling, Photography and Jam

Learning how to style and photograph making jam at the Academy in France.

Photography And Styling Workshop- So Much Better With Age

What? Did that say jam? Why yes it did. When I first went over the itinerary for The Academy I was reading the list of class titles aloud – yes, yes, yes, yes, Jam? yes, yes.

Heather loves making jam. She even took a preserve/canning course through a university as she is that serious about it.

It’s not like I’m opposed to making jam, I’ve made jam plenty of times. It was just not what I expected in a photography styling workshop in France, that’s all.

But the jam making day was so much fun. And I shouldn’t even say ‘day’. We packed in so much to each day that we made jam after a long and beautiful day of shopping and photography!

I should say we jam packed each day (wasn’t that great?).

But of course Heather had a vision for this strawberry jam and it turned out beautifully.

Women taking pictures with professional cameras.

So really we made jam but we were also styling jam….okay not really jam but strawberries. Styling strawberries. Okay modelling with strawberries.

This was the vision you saw any minute of the week during the workshop.

Heather is far right directing things and we are shooting our cameras like crazy.

Learning how to take professional looking pictures.

Bronwyn was the perfect strawberry model, just look at her cute red shoes!

And no that was not planned. A perfect model.

Carrying a tray of strawberries.
Model carrying strawberries in the countryside of France.

We each had a turn modelling and we also had to direct the model into a pose.

Everyone checking the pictures they just took.

For instance, we had to tell Gina that the crate of strawberries was being held too high.

How would you know when you are modelling a crate of strawberries?

Holding a wooden box of strawberries.

So much better and so cute with the door in the shot.

Modelling in front of an old door that is rustic.

Denise was the sweetest strawberry model. I just love this girl.

A large crate of strawberries.

And Genevieve was super excited to model. Genevieve was so adorable and so funny. She kept us in stitches the whole week.

A woman with an apron on, holding the crate of strawberries.

Heather is directing us on how to walk and hold the wooden crate so we can get movement shots.

Heather Bullard giving a model direction on how to pose.

We also needed to unnaturally laugh and smile a lot. It felt strange doing it but made for perfect shots.

Here’s my roomie Stacie!

A woman smiling for the camera.

We were such dedicated students.

Walking while holding strawberries.

More movement modelling from Teresa.

Another model wearing bell bottom pants walking while holding the crate.

LOVE this shot with the red trailer.

A red wagon holding brush.

Then it was my turn. It felt so weird to be on the other side of the camera.

My hand was in an unnatural position so the girls had to tell me what to do with it.

Jamie modelling with rhubarb.

I do what with it now?

A picture of Jamie sitting the steps beside wild flowers.

Ahhh, that’s better.

Jamie posing with a wooden crate of rhubarb.

After modelling we got busy making strawberry jam!

Woman in the kitchen cutting up strawberries.

It was so much fun to all be in the kitchen in the countryside of France together making something. So many great memories on this trip.

Making strawberry jam in France.

Lynda, you did a great job stirring!

A copper pot filled with strawberries cooking on the stove.

After making the jam, the jam became our model.

I just love this copper bowl!

The copper pot filled with the jam on the stairs for photographing.
The pot by the front door.

Then we had Heather be our model.

Heather Bullard holding a bowl of strawberries.

Then Heather was like YOU GUYS! as her iPhone was in her apron pocket and weighed down one side of her apron.

Sorry, Heather, we should be fired from giving direction.

We thought it was funny though, especially Stacie 😉

An unposed photograph of the models.

Then we played around with taking shots with lots of negative space and composition.

This is how I was first took Heather’s photo.

 Heather Bullard posing in doorway in France.

So then she took my photo.

See how I’m more in the bottom corner?

Such a huge difference in the shot.

Jamie posing in the doorway in France.

Love it. It makes such a difference just to take your camera and play around with it.

Heather had so many great tips during the week. I feel like my photography has changed just from that one week.

A stone doorway in France.

Photography is definitely something that I’ll keep improving on. There is always something new to learn.

Up close picture of the camera Jamie was using in France.

Thanks for the photo Genevieve!

There are still way more posts on my trip to France to come.

Click to See All My France Posts:

My Trip to France – Heather Bullard’s The Academy – Creative Styling & Photography Workshop

My Trip to France - Heather Bullard's The Academy graphic.

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8 Comments

  1. Love this post Jamie! Looks like you had SO much fun while continuing to learn and improve your photography skills.

    When do I get to try this jam?

  2. You are so sweet!! 🙂 love this post- most of my photos from the actual jam making session didn’t turn out too well, so it’s great to see yours! I miss everyone so much after seeing these again…. Beautiful recapture of the day Jamie!

  3. Hello,
    Just now reading about your trip. Looks amazing. Do you know if Heather sells the pinafore/aprons you are wearing? I love these and have been looking for one.
    Thank you
    Sonya

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