Styling / Travel

Styling And Photography Workshop + Portland Favorites

03.10.15

Styling + Photography WorkshopThis past weekend, I headed to Portland for a food styling and photography workshop, despite some insecurities and fears. It was hosted by the wonderful Jason French, who owns the event space, Elder Hall, and the adjoining restaurant Ned Ludd. One of my favorite bloggers and stylists, Ashley Marti of Local Haven, taught us all her secrets and was such a joy to learn from.

Styling + Photography WorkshopAshley styled three dishes full of fresh ingredients, offered up some of her tips to perfecting the shot, then set us off to work on our own vignettes. There was a huge table full of gorgeous props to use, and platters upon platters of fresh ingredients.

One of my favorite parts of the workshop was seeing how each of the 12 students in the class styled their shots. We were all using the same ingredients, in yet each and every vignette was completely different.

Styling + Photography WorkshopI tried my best to stop perfecting and obsessing, and instead enjoy the moment as much as possible—the colors, the people, the conversations. At the end of class, we ate the most perfect meal together. My heart was so full when I walked out of that space.

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I had 24 hours before the workshop to explore Portland, so I tried to pack in as much as I could. I stayed on the west side of the river, eating and drinking my way through the city. I stopped at Mother’s for the best biscuits and gravy I’ve ever had in my life, then made my way to the Pearl District to explore Powell’s bookstore and do some shopping. I had a bunch of spots bookmarked, but my favorite store was one I stumbled upon, called Made Here PDX. Everything in the store was made locally in Portland. I took home some Raft Syrups smoked tea vanilla syrup an The Bitter Housewife‘s cardamom bitters. I can’t wait to dream up some new cocktails with them!

Of course, I couldn’t visit Portland without stopping into a few cocktail bars. I headed to Pepe Le Moko, where I ordered their delicious Hotel Nacional Special cocktail and sipped rums with the bartenders. I’m not usually much of a rum drinker, but they insisted on having me try this El Dorado 15 rum, which was so tasty, you’ll probably find me sipping on it all summer long.

Styling + Photography WorkshopI stopped into the much-hyped Clyde Common at the Ace Hotel, which was cool but admittedly underwhelming. My favorite spot, by far, was the Multnohmah Whisk{e}y Library, which was, in a word, perfection. The bar was dark and spacious, and felt old-timey and incredibly cozy. The walls were lined with over 1500 different spirits, whiskey and beyond.

I sat with the bartender, Jason, and learned about his techniques while he made me a couple of his current scotch-based favorites. I tried my best to keep my phone (slash security blanket) tucked away, learning to be comfortable sitting alone, just me. It’s scary and uncomfortable at first, but was such a freeing night, full of interesting conversations with strangers and time for myself.

The weekend was one I won’t soon forget, full of creativity and exploration—and a little glimpse into the possibilities that present themselves when you let them.

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