There was a post in LinkedIn from a young lady that wants to be a food stylist and is looking for a photographer to do some portfolio work. My wife calls these “play dates”.

I responded and was pleased to find out that the stylist, Veronika, also lives in New Jersey.

I looked at her website http://www.DREAMCAVERNS.com and learned that she was an artist by training but has experience preparing food.  We met last Sunday and it was a great day. Her fiance helped carry equipment and that is always appreciated. With her background in art, Veronika is truly new to styling but, learned quickly. The food she prepared was impressive and we had a very productive day. After all, anyone who uses star anise gets my attention.

I recommended that she visit a website that has food styling classes (I’ve attended one of their food styling and food photography workshops in Chicago and was very impressed)  http://www.photostylingworkshops.com/store/home.php.

(Addendum: The website for photosytylingworkshops.com is no longer in existence. You can see Susan Linnet Cox’s workshop information at her blog…http://www.theinvisiblestylist.com/p/styling-workshops.html)

Veronika would love to be an assistant for a food stylist in New York City…anyone interested? I look forward to our next play date. Hopefully, that one will be at my place.

My regular food stylist is Chef Michael Giletto. Please visit his site at http://michaelgiletto.squarespace.com