elis halenko food styling and photography
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ELIS HALENKOFOOD STYLING PORTFOLIO
“Working with Elis was a real pleasure. With so many food titles in the market place it is vital that a modern stylish imagery is created. We worked with Elis for several artistic projects including various social media initiatives, marketing events and a collaborative 12-page recipe calendar. We found that Elis had a unique perspective, passion and flair. Elis’ food styling and photography professionalism ensured that all the shots were stylish, contemporary and mouth-watering. She has an excellent eye for design and her willingness to experiment is a valued quality that has resulted in achieving results we have both been exceptionally happy with. Elis is a real asset and we thoroughly enjoyed working with her.”
Toby DavidsonPresident, The Toby BrandFounder, Cookin’ Greens
416-399-4329www.cookingreens.com
CURRICULUM VITAE
DRAMA
COMFORT MEALS
DRINKS
SWEET THINGS
BI- CHROMATIC
TABLE OF CONTENTS4-5
6-9
10-19
20-23
24-29
30-35
CURRICULUM VITAEA + Smoodees, Food stylist & Photographer 2014- PresentRecipe development and creation of A+ Smoodees recipe cards
Cookin’ Greens, Marketing, Operations, Food Styling & Photography Product nutrient analysis, collaborated in packaging label content and label design, website design & food photography, recipe development, blog and content writing, marketing programs including coordinating and execution of events and demos, creation of promotional materials (e.g EyeFoods Calendar), social media management (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter)
2014 - 2015
John Halenko Photography, Food Preparations & Food Styling (See http://www.halenko.com/, pizza and paella)
2012
Ryerson University, Cooking Class Coordinator, Recipe Development & Food Design Lead role in the creation of the scripts, recipe development, food preparation and food styling, organizing and training volunteers and staff, recruiting partici-pants, developing floor plans and organizing the required food and equipment, demonstrated exemplary communication skills and food preparation techniques in presenting food demonstrations and engaging guests in integrative discussions
Summer of 2010 Fall of 2011 Summer of 2012
University of Toronto, Hart House, Filmmaking & Production Assistant Completion of film workshops at Hart House, including Editing Concepts and Theories and Movie Making 101, production assistant in the following films: “Horrid when She’s Bad”, “Corporate BS Artistes”
Winter 2012/13
4
Hi, I’m Elis.
My start in the freelance Food Styling & Food Photography world was somewhat slow and serendipitous. During my university studies of Food & Nutrition I bought an SLR camera and began to play around with photography and food.
Growing up with my father, professional photographer and painter, I picked up photography as if it was second nature. I immediately enjoyed the combined delicious and creative elements. As hobbyist, food photography would sneak into my work life - working as a Registered Dietitian in private practise for A+ Plus Smoodees, and Operations Manager with Cookin’ Greens I developed recipes and photographed them. I also had the opportunity to create some graphics for ads, brochures and a 12-page recipe calendar for retail. I continue to practise as a Registered Dietitian, and a full time Food Stylist & Food Photographer. I love that my days start and end with food. With passion I enjoy nutrition counselling, recipe development, food styling & photography.Thank-you! Sincerely, Elis Halenko
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Chocolate Tales, Assistant Operations Manager, Marketing & PR Managed call center, social media and marketing
Platinum Health and Wellness Clinic, PR Intern
City of Toronto, Special Events Toronto Team Captain Leadership role in training and organizing volunteers pre and post special events includ-ing, Open Doors Toronto, Summerlicious, Nuit Blanche
2012 - 2014
2014
Food & Health Blogs: Chocolate Tales Cookin’ Greens Platinum Health & WellnessSarafino Olive Oil
2014-152013-142013-14
2014-Presenthttp://www.chocolatetales.ca/blog/http://cookingreens.com/blog/
http://www.platinumhealth.ca/blog.htmlhttp://www.sarafino.com/blog/
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Collaborated in setting PR goals and objectives, conducting demographic and market research, marketing
April 2013
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, Research Assistant 2008-2010
Toronto Youth Food Policy Council Member 2009-2010
Mentor Leader, Peace by PEACE Program Collaborated with classroom teacher to lead group activities and workshops for a supple-mentary curriculum on conflict resolution for Grades 4-6 classes at Senhor Santo Cristo School, TCDSB
2008-2009
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & ACCREDITATIONSUniversity of Toronto, PR Certification Sept 2013-2014
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Dietetic Internship Oct 2010- July 2011
Food Handlers Certificate Spring 2011- Present
Ryerson University, Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutrition and Food 2006- 2010
Creative Sampling Solutions Inc., Nutrition Ambassador & Sales 2012 - Present
DRAMA-an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events or set of circumstances.
In this section I used focused lighting, close ups on subjects, and contrast to create a dramatic effect. Sometimes the most mundane food, depending on how it is photographed, can look out-of-worldly and interesting which makes my job as a food stylist and photographer all the more exciting. It challenges me to consider how elements such as shadows, contrast, the size of the subject, color and saturation come together to capture the eye and provide an iteration that is uniquely my own. Depicted on the right: Stuffed Sweet Potato
dra·maˈdrämə/ noun
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Left: Seafood Pasta Sautee Above: Chicken feet
COMFORT
-the easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress.-“a few words of comfort”
Food is comfort. As a dietitian, I have heard people share the details about their relationships with food and can deduce that a grand theme is: food is comforting. This is beyond a hunger and satiation model. We eat foods now not just for sustenance, but sometimes our food choices are driven by the feeling of ease they bring – pie that reminds us of our grandma, or garlic peas enjoyed during our summers at the cottage. The pictures in these shots hopefully look intriguing and appetizing, but also are like a warm hug. Depicted on the right: Skinnypasta with wild mushrooms, truffle oil, parmesan and arugula
MEALScom·fortˈkəmfərt/ noun
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Left: Stuffed Sweet Potato Above: Mint Pea Soup
Above: Coconut Tahini & Breaded Tofu Wrap Right: Grilled Burger with Home made Onion Rings
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Left: Butternut Squash Risotto Above: Grilled Potato Pizza
Left: Grilled Asparagus & Hot Eggs Above: Pork Tenderloin & Rainbow Rosemary Potatoes 19
DRINKS-take (a liquid) into the mouth and swallow.-“we sat by the fire, drinking our coffee”
I remember the first time I professionally photographed a drink. It involved the acrobatic coordination of a gymnast and the lighting expertise of a … well photographer … several sources of light, white card, a reflective object and plastic ice cubes later, I had my first shot and it was a beauty. Shooting drinks properly can leave with your thirst quenching epic results, but this is a skilled trade that involves experience and knowhow as Photoshop can do next to nothing to make a drink look alive. This is an area I am proud to say I am always still learning in and excited to tackle. Depicted on the right: Carlsberg
driNGk/ verb
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Above: Scotch on the Rocks Right: Blueberry Martini
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THINGS-having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey; not salty, sour, or bitter.-“a cup of hot sweet tea”-pleasing in general; delightful.-“it was the sweet life he had always craved”
I love sweet treats. Sweet treats are often a messy delight to shoot. Often sprinkling sugar, flour, honey, nuts, fruit on the table, these shots often require a steady hand and a good eye for compo-sition… and let’s be honest, the ability to restrain oneself from eating dessert be-fore the photo shoot is complete. Some of my favorite ways to capture desserts are in a moody, country cottage environ-ment, outdoors using natural light and a beautiful scenic backdrop, and bright kitchen settings. Depicted on the right: Grandmas Apple Pie
SWEETswēt/ adjective
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Right and Left: Tea Party
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Left: Pastry & Newspapers Above: Nonnas Lemon Cream Cannoli’s
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CHROMATICS
-of, relating to, or produced by two colors.
This section started off as a ”black and white” display of foods. We don’t typically think of food looking tasty in black and white; therefore these foods are like objects in these photographs- or pieces of “artwork”. I also really appreciated the subtle colors in the very light and dark foods – for example the subtle purples of the eggplant and blackberries, the dark green and red-ish brown notes in the avocados in the picture that makes the home page, and the elegant pinks and warm undertones in the onions. Even more subtle, the grey shadows represented by the physical forms of the doughnuts- the fluffiness and sugar powder is enhanced by the suggestion of the doughnut, given its shadow. Depicted on the left: Bananas that Stare
BI-Bi-krōˈmadik/adjective
Left: White Onions Above: Purple Blackberries 33
Left: Zebra Eggplant Above: Shadow of the Doughnuts 35
