“Never let go of your self-belief. Stay true to your convictions and keep enhancing your unique qualities day by day. In a world where conformity is the norm, it’s the ones who embrace diversity and champion their creativity who truly shine.” says Alicia when we are chatting on Zoom.
Success for food photography student Alicia Santana. Alicia is a chef who specializes in international and modernist cuisine. “I’m genuinely passionate about exploring the world through food. I’ve been fortunate to travel to numerous countries, including Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Cuba, Italy, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, and the Balkans (Albania, Croatia, Montenegro), as well as Lebanon, among others, to uncover their culinary secrets. I’ve called Argentina my home since 2021.”
While I’ve always been interested in photography, I explored food photography techniques more extensively when I began working on my book “Alaturka.” I wanted to ensure that my portrayal of Turkey and its gastronomy in the book truly represented my vision. Since then, I’ve pursued several professional courses, learning from different photographers to enhance my skills in this field.
How did you achieve your success for food photography?
My journey began with Nelly le Comte and Le Cordon Bleu during the pandemic. After that, I pursued two additional courses in Argentina with Daniel Wagner and his team. These courses included a mix of online and in-person lessons. I also had the opportunity to work with Nelly again as a food photography mentor, to delve further into food photography, light and composition and more specific topics needed to further my career as a successful food photographer.
Nelly taught me to study the object intensely before taking the picture. Learn about the food and how to style the dish to make it look delicious. As well as how to create the light I wanted for my style of food photography.
I am still working on developing my eye for composition, learning and developing my skills, and developing my passion for food photography. As a food photography student I won’t stop learning yet!
I work as a freelance photographer, primarily capturing photos for various events in Buenos Aires. I am writing my second book about Dominican Cuisine. The Dominican Republic is close to my heart as I originated from it. The cuisine is heavily influenced by various cuisines due to the history of the Island. Indigenous Taíno mixed with Spanish, Middle Eastern and African flavours. The most recent influences are coming from the British West Indies and China. Exploring the Island and working with the local chefs will delight a foodie like me.
Let’s define a “foodie” as someone with a solid and enthusiastic interest in food. Foodies are often characterized by their passion for trying new and diverse culinary experiences, exploring different cuisines, and appreciating high-quality or unique dishes. Foodies may enjoy cooking, dining out at restaurants, seeking out local and international food trends, and engaging in discussions or activities related to food and gastronomy. In that case, yes, I definitely consider myself a foodie.
Living in Turkey for five years and immersing myself in the region’s rich gastronomy was the primary inspiration behind my first book. In Turkey, you’re exposed to a vibrant tapestry of colours, flavours, and aromas that leave an indelible mark. Through my book, I aim to capture and share a glimpse of this incredible experience in a remarkable country.
The vivid hues of Turkish ingredients played a crucial role in making them stand out in my book. To accentuate their beauty, I employed various lighting setups throughout the process. These lights served to add a touch of ambience and, at times, imbued specific photos with extra character. My food photography study with Nelly certainly improved my skills and helped with the success of my cookbook.
I sincerely hope we don’t have to contend with another pandemic during this new project. I need to be better organized this time around. When I wrote “Alaturka” during the pandemic, I was moving to a new country, and it was my first attempt at writing a book. Many things didn’t go according to plan; I couldn’t visit all the places I intended, and some of the key chefs I had scheduled to collaborate with could not travel, making it impossible for us to meet.
Furthermore, the production of the book posed an exciting challenge. As a first-time author, I felt that I lacked the trust of the publishers, and the book ended up having a somewhat homemade feel, which is evident in the final result. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the process and gained valuable experience. With this new book, things are flowing more smoothly, thanks to the lessons I learned from my first book and the confidence I gained through my mentoring sessions. It serves as a solid foundation and reference, allowing me to approach the project confidently.
My food photography is gaining more recognition and, in turn, creating more opportunities. While there’s still a long journey ahead, seeing that I am heading in the right direction is encouraging. Having a mentor will guide you and help you achieve a successful career in food photography.
Work with industry professionals like Nelly le Comte to gain knowledge and understanding in becoming a professional food photographer. A mentor will give you the confidence to approach clients and translate the vision in your mind into beautiful photographs. Why not start with a one hour Q&A session with Nelly and see how see can guide you on your food photography journey
Never let go of your self-belief. Stay true to your convictions and keep enhancing your unique qualities day by day. Those who embrace diversity and champion their creativity genuinely shine in a world where conformity is the norm.
With my first book published and feeling more confident in food photography and styling, the next step was finding a publisher. Working with the editor and design team will keep me on track to publish the Dominican cookbook to the printer on time. Hoping to achieve this by April 2024. Please keep us posted, Alicia!
