Hello, food lovers and aspiring photographers!
I’m Irina Sitnikoff, I Transformed my Passion for Food into Award-Winning Photography with the help of my food photography Mentor Nelly le Comte. And am now an international award-winning food photographer.
Originally from Ukraine, I spent 17 years in the UK before settling in Denver, Colorado, in 2016. The journey began in 2020, starting with just a phone camera. Through mentorship and dedication, I turned my passion into a professional craft.
My passion for food, cooking, baking, and photography naturally led me to combine these creative arts. Inspired by the film Julie & Julia and Julia Child’s culinary journey, I dreamt of studying at Le Cordon Bleu. Therefore when I discovered their Food Photography program, destiny guided me to the perfect path.
I decided to take the food photography course with Le Cordon Bleu Paris, where I met my incredible mentor, Nelly le Comte.
Under the guidance of my mentor, Nelly le Comte, I transformed from an inspired beginner to a confident professional. Her mentorship, which focused on advanced food and drink photography techniques, was instrumental in deepening my technical skills and creative expression behind the lens.
I have been a foodie since childhood. I started cooking at age seven, and my passion has grown. I love exploring flavours, creating recipes, and presenting food beautifully. Today, that love extends beyond the kitchen into food photography, where I capture the beauty of what I make.
Photographing food and drinks has been a journey of experimentation and patience. Mastering lighting, camera settings, and composition took time, but switching to artificial light gave me freedom. Overcoming technical challenges, I refined my portfolio by applying new techniques and capturing diverse shots that reflected my growing skills and creativity, all under the guidance of my food photography mentor. A good food photography mentor helps you gain clients who suit your style of photography.
One of my favourite photographs is of Johnnie Walker’s Black Label Scottish Whiskey. After learning the complex technique of Frequency Separation from my mentor, Nelly le Comte, I applied it to this shot. It was one of my first works using this technique, and I immediately won an International Food Photography Award!
Winning my first International Food Photography Award was thrilling, and I never imagined earning 12 in total. With the guidance of my fantastic mentor, Nelly le Comte, I’m confident that continued hard work will lead to even more significant successes ahead. As I Transformed my Passion for Food into Award-Winning Photography I’m committed to continually excelling in food and drink photography, seeking to learn and explore new techniques. I aim to experiment with different styles and lighting to create something unique. My next plan is to publish a cookbook featuring my photography and original recipes. With guidance from my food photography mentor, who not only helps me explore new techniques but also helps me with cookbook design.
One key lesson I’ve learned from working with clients is the power of clear communication. Understanding precisely what they envision is crucial, and one way to achieve this is by requesting photo samples and creating mood boards. Another vital takeaway is knowing your worth – investing in education, equipment, and how time should reflect your pricing. Lastly, confidence is key: don’t be afraid to start because the learning journey unfolds as you go.
If you’ve ever admired stunning food photography and thought, “I wish I could create images like that,” you absolutely can—with the proper guidance. Whether you’re a food blogger, chef, content creator or love capturing beautiful food, a food photography mentor will help you develop the skills and confidence to take your photography to the next level.
This personalised one-on-one mentorship will teach you how to create professional-quality food images, no matter where you are in your journey.
What You’ll Learn in 5 Sessions:
Session 1: Mastering Lighting – Professional Studio Light and Natural Light variation that Make you a Pro. Session 2: Composition & Styling – How to Make Food Look Irresistible Session 3: Cookbook Design – Creating Crisp, Professional Shots Session 4: Editing & Retouching – Enhancing Colors, Textures, and Details through Frequency Separation Session 5: Portfolio & Branding – How to Attract Clients & Showcase Your Work
Who is this for?
Aspiring photographers who want to build a stunning portfolio Aspiring photographers who want to become Professional and gain clients Food bloggers, content creators, and chefs looking to elevate their visuals or create a cookbook Anyone who loves food and photography and wants to turn passion into skill
I’ve learned firsthand that a great mentor makes all the difference. As a result my skills skyrocketed when I studied under renowned food photographer Nelly le Comte. She created this mentorship program—to give you the same guidance that helped me grow so you can fast-track your success.
Irina Sitnikoff Food and Drinks Photographer. Follow Irina on Instagram
Ready to get started? Limited spots are available for my 5-session mentorship program!
Book your mentorship today! To secure your spot, please email me at nelly@nellylecomtephotography.com.au or DM me on @nelly_foto
