Food Photography in Wine Country with Caren Alpert (Travel Workshop)

About

Join us for an unforgettable photography workshop in the heart of Napa Valley, where the art of food and lifestyle photography meets stunning vineyard landscapes. Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or a seasoned pro, this hands-on workshop is designed to help you refine your skills and immerse yourself in the charm of California’s wine country.

Led by renowned San Francisco-based photographer Caren Alpert, this workshop will take you behind the lens of food, lifestyle, and travel photography. You’ll explore the region’s vibrant farmers markets, artisanal food producers, and lush vineyards—capturing the essence of Napa’s culinary and cultural scene. Throughout the workshop, Caren will provide expert guidance in food photography, lighting techniques, and the art of capturing compelling lifestyle shots.

The workshop include visits to local  culinary artisans, on-location photo shoots, group editing sessions, and plenty of opportunities to network with like-minded creatives. With just 10 spots available, this intimate workshop offers personalized instruction in a truly inspiring setting.

Don’t miss your chance to learn from one of the industry’s top photographers while exploring Napa’s iconic food and wine culture!

ABOUT CAREN ALPERT

Caren Alpert is a San Francisco-based photographer whose work has appeared in numerous cookbooks and magazines such Conde Nast Traveller, Departures, Anthology, The New York Times, San Francisco Magazine, and LUXE. She specializes in food, interiors and portraits. Caren started her career at Time Inc. as a photo editor working with titles such as Health and Money Magazines. In addition, she’s worked as an editor and researcher for Vogue, George (JFK Jr.’s political magazine), and for Miramax Films.

Caren taught at the Academy of Art in San Francisco for over 15 years. Her interest in cementing students creative outlet into a personal expression and sustainable professional endeavor is something she feels very strongly about.

Born in New York, and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Caren earned a bachelor’s of fine arts in photography and graphic design from the University of Arizona, home to the world renowned Center for Creative Photography. When not shooting, she enjoys cooking, traveling, snowboarding, hiking, and stand up paddle board.

Details

WORKSHOP DATES

• Monday, September 15th – Orientation and dinner
• Tuesday, September 16th – Workshop, lunch and dinner
• Wednesday, September 17th – Workshop, lunch and dinner
• Thursday, September 18th – Workshop, slideshow presentation

TUITION AND DEPOSIT

Tuition: $2,575 for Members, $2,475 for Non-Members; $500 deposit. The balance is due two months prior to the start date. LACP will contact you to arrange the balance payment.

PAYMENT AND REFUND POLICY

A $500 deposit is required to reserve space in the workshop. The balance is due two months prior to the start date. Refund requests arriving two months or greater before the start date will result in loss of deposit. Refund requests arriving one month to two months prior to the start date will result in a 50% loss of the workshop fee. No refunds will be provided for requests arriving less than one month prior to the start date. All refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to info@lacphoto.org.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• All lessons and discussions
• Expert-led instruction throughout the workshop
• Guided, on-location photo shoots across wine country
• Three dinners and two lunches
• Classroom rental in Napa

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Travel to and from Napa
• All transportation within Napa
• Hotel accommodations
• All breakfasts and snacks
• Lunch on the final day of the workshop

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

Limited to 10 participants

SKILL LEVEL AND WHAT TO BRING

All students are expected to have an understanding of how their camera works, along with lighting basics. Participants will be expected to bring a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera + SD cards, a laptop loaded with Adobe Lightroom CC and Adobe Photoshop CC, a tripod and cable release.

Participants should be in good physical condition and able to comfortably walk multiple miles a day.

Students will receive a welcome letter from Caren Alpert about one month prior to the travel experience. The letter will provide further details and instruction.

SCHEDULE (subject to change)

Day 1: Monday, September 15th, 4 pm – 8 pm – Welcome, orientation and dinner

Arrive in Wine Country on your own time frame, but be ready for a meet-n-greet with other students in the late afternoon. We’ll have dinner together, get acquainted and go over course plans for the week.  Location: TBD

Day 2: Tuesday, September 16th, 8 am – 8 pm – Food Photography

A visit to culinary artisans where we team up with aspiring chefs and do partner work. Capture the artistry of Napa’s up and coming chefs from the CIA. You’ll learn techniques to style and photograph food, play with natural and artificial lighting, and create mouthwatering images that tell a story.  

Day 3: Wednesday, September 17th, 8 am – 8 pm – Lifestyle Photography

Dive into lifestyle photography, focusing on candid moments, portraits, and storytelling. Whether it’s capturing vineyard workers at harvest or candid moments of people enjoying wine tastings, you’ll learn to photograph people in natural, engaging ways.

Day 4: Thursday, September 18th, 8 am – 2 pm – Wrap up 

The workshop will conclude at our home base with a group editing session.  Over lunch, we’ll do project presentations where each participant will showcase their best work and receive feedback from the instructor and peers.  We’ll aim to wrap up just after lunchtime, so participants can make their way back to airport, home, etc..

WINE TASTING (optional)

Optional wine tasting will be on offer at TKTKT Winery for an additional $$$, as it’s beyond the itinerary/plans for the workshop.  Please RSVP upon check-in on Day 1.

QUESTIONS? 

Please contact LACP via email at info@lacphoto.org, or email Caren Alpert at caren@carenalpert.com.

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