If I told you, “you’re a perfectionist”

How would you feel? 

Would you take it as a compliment? 

Would you feel like your work must be really high quality to be called a perfectionist? 

But tell me, as a perfectionist, do you also feel like no one can match your standards, sometimes not even yourself? 

I was there too. In fact, my husband still calls me a perfectionist. Earlier, I would love it but now he’s made to sleep on the couch every time he calls me that.

Being a perfectionist might feel fabulous but in reality the idea of perfection might be holding you back. Yep!

In the past few years, I’ve changed my approach towards perfection and watched my business and creativity take a completely new turn, like never before and that’s exactly what I want to share with you in this week’s episode.

I’m sharing how draining perfectionism can be, how it is really not needed in our creative lives, and how the action of not letting go while trying to make something “perfect” can be detrimental to moving forward in our careers.

Does that mean we don’t create high-quality work or pay attention to detail?

I share it all.

The only way to thrive as artists and creators is to not hold back. Freeing ourselves from the idea of perfection can open doors to opportunities and experiences that we might have never imagined.

So next time you’re called a perfectionist, you may want to stop and ask yourself, am I holding myself back? 

Read more at https://myfoodlens.com

Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/29-are-you-a-perfectionist-why-that-might-be-holding-you-back/

If I asked, are you successful, what would your answer be? 

How do you define success?

In fact, as Creatives, how do we measure success? 

Success looks different for each one of us. 

It might look like a magazine feature.

It might be receiving an award.

It might look like working with Ottolenghi.

It might look like more followers on social media. 

As much as these milestones are pillars of success, as Creatives, it is incredibly hard to evaluate whether we are successful in the true sense. 

Our skills and style are continually evolving, we hit failures and roadblocks everyday so, are we successful? 

In this episode I’m talking to the award-winning food photographer, Reethika Singh, who in her signature genuine and humble way, shares her unique perspective on finding success as a creator. An outstanding food photographer, food blogger and content creator based in India, Reethika tells us that success is much bigger and not as complicated as we think. 

She shares her journey, how she navigates through challenges, what photographers should focus on to improve their craft, what changed for her when she won a prestigious award and who her main competition is (it may surprise you!).

There’s no one better than Reethika, who we regard as successful, to tell us how to measure and evaluate success to keep growing and finding joy in our craft. 

Success is defined as ‘the achieving of the results wanted or hoped for’ and these results differ from person to person. What sparks our joy might not be the same for another photographer. 

So, how do we see the bigger picture when it comes to success? How do we create success that leaves us feeling satisfied and secure as creators? 

Hear more from Reethika Singh and how she has achieved her version of success in food photography. 

Read more at https://myfoodlens.com

Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/28-what-is-success-in-food-photography-with-reethika-singh/ 

How do you share your work when a client reaches out to you?

How do you create a powerful photo collection to pitch to a client? 

And do you tailor your portfolio every time?

Creating a portfolio is one of the most underrated tasks  in  our creative lives but I can’t emphasize enough how  critical it is  if we are looking  to work with brands. 

In this week’s podcast episode I’m sharing how to create a custom portfolio for a client, a portfolio that will not only give the brand the confidence that you can handle their product but also blow them away with your beautiful photos and skilfulness. 

What to include, how much is optimum and what makes for a custom portfolio - it’s all in there!

In 6 easy steps, I’m going to walk you through how to build a relevant and targeted portfolio that increases your chances of working with a client. 

In this episode I’ll cover: 

• How to study the brand to show you really understand what they need
• Learn how to select photos that give the client confidence in your skills, experience and abilities
• Whether or not, to include personal projects
• How to create a powerful cover page
• What details to include in the photos that highlight your skills
• Tips on how to organize  and share your portfolio

Read more at https://myfoodlens.com


Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/27-how-to-create-a-photography-portfolio-for-a-client

Learning and growing is a continuous process in a creative life. 

As creatives our photography, our style, is continually evolving. 

Never satisfied, we are forever flexing that creative muscle by seeking out different styles, trying out new gear, lenses, angles and pursuing different subjects to shoot. 

We are learning, practicing and growing all the time.

Growth is what keeps the joy and passion alive in our photography, keeping burnout at bay. 

So, how do you keep learning and growing? 

How do you keep the joy in food photography? 

How do you grow when you’re overwhelmed?

What does it take to upscale your art and business? 

And what happens when life throws a curveball? 

In this episode Lucie Beck, Holland-based food stylist and photographer, who has worked with TV chefs, on magazines and cookbooks,  shares her valuable insights on how we can forever continue to keep our inspiration flowing and our creativity alive.

She shares the qualities we need as creatives to continuously up our skills and also move our forward in our business.  

Lucie’s passion, energy and free-spirited take on photography is a breath of fresh air. Her uninhibited, courageous and yet, playful and fun approach has several lessons hidden in it.

Hear how Lucie scaled her photography business from online workshops to a business programme, how she returned to creativity following a traumatic incident and how she maintains joy in her craft. 

Feel less overwhelmed and more inspired by Lucie’s powerful  advice - Just ‘go with the flow’!

Read more about Dyutima at www.myfoodlens.com

Follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Podcast show notes over at https://myfoodlens.com/26-how-to-grow-creatively-and-professionally-in-food-photography-with-lucie-beck

Instagram loves me..

Instagram loves me not..

Instagram loves me..

Instagram loves me not..

That's what our conversation with Instagram looks like. Right?

It is a never ending cycle of love and hate, bitterness and sweetness. We can neither live with it nor without it.

I know that instagram has garnered a lot of criticism recently and if we had a chance, we’d punch it right in the face but what if I told you that there is a way to navigate through it and also have fun in the process.

At a time when frustrations are at an all-time high on Instagram, I would like to bring to you a pinch of positivity for the platform.

In the latest episode of the podcast, I share how instagram changed my life forever and gave me a completely new avatar, something I’d never imagined.

I also share how it helped me build a business from nothing, educated me and all the different ways we can use Instagram to our advantage vs. the other way round.

I don’t create the way I used to and I’m not even the same person I used to be 4 years ago, that’s how pivotal Instagram has been in my creative journey. So, if you’re dealing with negative feelings for the platform, need a little insight on what it can do for you or just need a ray of hope - then this episode is for you. 

I’ve dealt with every emotion from frustration to jealousy to sadness to happiness on Instagram and yet, I’ll say it confidently that Instagram changed my life and that’s because that’s what I seeked from it.

Hear how this evil can turn out to be a blessing.

Read more at https://myfoodlens.com

Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ 

Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/podcast/

Scroll through Facebook and 10 sponsored ads about photography courses show up. 

Get on instagram and at least 20 reels of photoshoot BTS pop up.

And that is because of the demand for good photos. 

If you’ve wondered whether clients are looking for recipes or photos then, Natasha Miocha, everyone’s favorite person and food blogger tells us all about it. 

From starting out in the garment industry as a merchandiser to office administrator toowning a bakery and catering business to becoming  a full-time food blogger, Natasha talks about the role of good photos in the blogging and business world.

Natasha shares how her photography changed with the change in her business, what difference she saw by improving her photography skills and what clients look for when working with food bloggers.

If you wonder whether it's worth spending 30 extra minutes in taking a good picture of that chocolate cake you baked before sending it to the client or uploading the recipe on social media or your blog, then listen to Natasha about how she juggled a family and full-time business, only to be able to take better photos - because that’s how important photography is. 

It is easy to continue working on what we like the most, cooking, creating recipes, writing – but photography is what brings results to all that work we put in, either as creative confidence or as income. 

Whether you’re monetizing your food blog or creating it as a hobby, Natasha breaks down photography in the most simplest, uncomplicated way.

Read more about Dyutima at www.myfoodlens.com

Follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Podcast show notes over at https://myfoodlens.com/24-why-do-food-bloggers-also-need-to-be-photographers/

As food photographers, as creatives, we start our journey with enthusiasm and passion for our art. We create for the joy of creating. 

…But as we move forward, as we evolve in our skills and creativity, we also begin to face the struggle of creative blocks, purpose, and $$$.

We begin to question --

- Where is this going?

- How do I continue to create with joy?

- What if photography was my full-time job?  

- I feel tired. Have I lost my passion? 

- How do I take my photography business to the next level?

- What is the next step for me?

If you've ever wondered about any of these, listen to my heart-to-heart conversation with one of the icons of the food photography industry, Rachel Korinek from Twoloves studio as she celebrates 10 years in the industry.  

In this episode, Rachel shares it all. She is honest and candid about her personal story and the ride the last 10 years have been.  She talks about how she started food photography and what she feels after working incredibly hard on it for an entire decade.

This episode is full of Rachel’s learnings, her journey, spells of burnout, and how her fearless mindset pivoted her forward when she felt stuck.

Rachel’s words are full of wisdom, inspiration and in a way, a reality check.

The highs and lows of being a creative are real. Our journeys might be similar but are also different because of our unique personalities and circumstances. 

We've all known Rachel as a stellar photographer but this episode will give you a raw and real insight of what the journey looked like from her side of the table. 

Learn what 10 years in food photography looked like for Rachel.


Read more at https://myfoodlens.com

Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Show notes available at
https://myfoodlens.com/23-the-highs-and-lows-of-10-years-in-food-photography-with-rachel-korinek/

We all have values. 

We all stand for and against certain causes. Be it people, initiatives, practices, philosophies, products  -  we connect to some so strongly, feel so passionately that we believe in them, stand by them, support them. 

 
Big or small, it doesn't matter. We all have values. 

The one value I stand for, both personally and professionally, is gender equality. 

Irrespective of industry, background or location, women face discrimination. And that is the harsh reality. 

I myself have been in numerous situations, in different industries and, at different stages of life where I’ve been treated a little differently to men. I’m certain you have too, and if not, then at least witnessed it. 

With the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day being #BreakTheBias, I’m finding the courage to share some of my own experiences of gender bias.

More importantly, I’m also sharing practices that have helped me cope with this kind of discrimination. I have found positive ways to deal with this harsh reality, without giving in.

Join me as I share 4 practices that I have learnt along the way to #BreakTheBias, how I cope with biased behaviour and what we can do collectively to change this discrimination.

Please do me a favour and share your story with me so that not only do you know you’re not alone but so do I. Hope there comes a time when we don’t need to have a special day to celebrate women. Until then let’s do our part – let’s #BreakTheBias.

Read more at https://myfoodlens.com

Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/22-gender-bias-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/

If you’ve ever wondered … 
What is commercial food photography?
Can we make a career out of our love for photography? 
What gear do we need?
What does it take to work with big brands?
What goes on behind the scenes in commercial food photography?
What are the challenges?
What to expect?

Then join me as I speak to one of India's leading commercial food stylists and photographer, Abhishek Khanna. With a portfolio of clients including Hyatt hotels, McDonalds, UberEATS and AirAsia, PAUL, to name a few,  Abhishek has an inspiring version  to tell. 

Self-taught, Abhishek shares his journey of moving from the corporate world to a full-time creative career in commercial food photography. 

From humble beginnings to working with top brands, he talks openly about  the highs and lows of building a career doing what he loves. 

We find out what it takes to take up food photography professionally , what clicks with clients and the work that goes into it.  

Abhishek shares his entire process from pre-shoot to understanding client briefs and how he approaches a shoot.  He also shares tips on  photographing Indian food, because as we know he’s a master at it.  

If you’ve ever wondered  about the world of commercial food photography, listen to Abhishek as he generously  shares his knowledge and all the inside details. This episode is not only a lesson in commercial food photography but also a story of drive and dedication. It clearly tells us that by listening to our  hearts and working hard for it, we too can step into the career of our dreams.

Read more at https://myfoodlens.com

Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/21-lessons-in-commercial-food-photography-with-abhishek-khanna/

Choosing the right camera angle might be straightforward for many of us, but is it really that straightforward?

How do you decide what angle works best for your food?

And once you take the shot, how do you know that you’ve photographed the food in its most photogenic angle? 

Have you seen photos where the cup is more visible than the coffee inside or the edge of a plate is seen more rather than the pizza on it or the bowl shows more than the steaming soup inside? 

You find yourself leaning into your screen, just wishing to see more of that frothy coffee, the tasty pizza toppings and the fragrant soup. 

How do we choose an angle that fits the subject versus leaving the audience either longing to see more of it or wondering what it is. 

Well, finding the right camera angle and photographing food in it’s best angle takes more than just setting up the camera on a tripod and clicking the trigger. It takes observation, study and practice.  

Camera angles can really make or break a photo, which is why, I’m sharing how to choose the right and the best camera angle for your food. 

This episode explains the 3 main camera angles, how they translate to food and how to decide which angle works best. 

I also talk about practices that can help make both technical and creative decisions for a photoshoot. 

And how the process of working with camera angles can hone your skills such that you are able to visualize the food in different angles even before it goes in front of the camera..  Yep, I share that too.

As food photographers, we can show the viewer exactly what they need to see, and how they need to see it. We have control over this, all by choosing the right camera angle. 

Imagine sitting in a client meeting, being able to tell which angle will work for the shoot, on the spot. Who wouldn’t want to be able to do that? 

Read more at https://myfoodlens.com

Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/20-how-to-choose-the-right-camera-angle-for-food-photography/