Notice anything different about this post? No? Look closer. Look at the photos. Don’t they look more interesting, more dramatic, less “well-lit, bright and cheery Carolyn type photos”? Well, maybe it’s not that obvious, but it’s definitely a bit of a departure for me. See, I had my one-on-one lesson with fellow blogger and photographer extraordinaire, Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food. It was a lovely way to spend the mid-day, and it certainly was informative. One the one hand, it showed me that I actually do know a fair bit about photography, food styling and composition. On the other hand, it showed me that there is a lot to learn and a lot of things I could be doing differently. And I took home some great pointers and am absolutely determined to get a new, not overly expensive lens that I think will really help as I try to move forward.
I presented Brian with quite the challenge when I brought over these Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies for our little photo shoot, because they aren’t the prettiest cookies I’ve ever seen. I might even call them downright ugly; a blah shade of beige and kind of lumpy to boot. They were an experiment for my kids as a gluten-free breakfast treat, and from all accounts, they tasted quite good. The kids ate them happily as both breakfast and after-school snack so they certainly served their purpose. They are packed full of goodness, with bananas, pumpkin, raisins, oats, oat flour and mini chocolate chips. But attractive…not so much.
Brian rightly suggested we take the focus off the cookies and play with other aspects of the set up, and we had a lot of fun with it. We used his camera and mine, and I played with the lens I am hoping to get for Christmas, which allowed me to focus in on one part of the photo and have everything else very out of focus. Apparently this same lens will help me in lower light situations, a good thing as we head into winter. I am not sure I will be able to wait for Christmas!
He also got me out of my comfort zone and had me take shots in portrait orientation. Although I turn my camera on its side for pictures of people a lot, I never seem to do it for food. I have a hard time getting the picture I want that way, but under his tutelage, I got more comfortable with it. I found that he used his natural light differently than I do, having it come from behind and throw interesting shadows into the photo, and this was sort of a revelation for me. We also tried some outdoor shots and shots that included hands holding the food as he kindly played hand model. In the end, I think I got some great photos and I have already been trying to put his tips into practice with my other recipes. I’m a touch limited until I can get that lens (itching, I tell you, I am itching to buy it now!), but it was really a worthwhile experience.
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup Swerve Sweetener or granulated erythritol
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)
- 1 1/4 cup gluten free oats
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
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Preheat oven to 325F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas until creamy. Stir in pumpkin puree and Greek yogurt until smooth.
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Stir in erythritol, cinnamon, ginger and cloves, and then stir in oat flour and oats until just combined.
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Mix in raisins and chocolate chips.
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Using two spoons, form dough into 18 mounds on prepared baking sheets. Press down with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup.
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Bake 14 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned.
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Remove from oven and let cool on pan.
[email protected] says
Your photos look great and so do the cookies! Love all of the ingredients and I’m putting them on my “to make” list now!
Carolyn says
Thanks so much!
Kristen says
Oh so fun! You both have a lot of talent so I bet it was a great experience for both of you.
Which lens are you wanting?
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
I mean, cookies for breakfast. No need to pull my arms there 🙂
RavieNomNoms says
OOOO how yummy! I would love that snack 🙂
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Can you use granulated sugar in place of the sweetener? Equal amount?
Carolyn says
Yes, that would work just fine!
Cara says
Sounds like fun! It is always a good idea to spend some time with another photographer – you can really learn a lot from each other!
Beth @ Tasty Yummies says
Yum these cookies look amazing and I just love any excuse to have cookies for breakfast.
Your photos looks so great, I think I definitely need to force one of my photo friends to spend time with me and teach me some tricks, too 🙂
What lens do you have your eye on for Christmas?
Carolyn says
I am told the the 1.8 50 lens is the way to go. 1.8 is the f stop which means a much wider aperture and will allow me better pictures in low light. It’s also what makes the things in the background look so out of focus.
Joanne says
Brian really is the sweetest and I ADORE his photography! I’m sure he’s a great teacher as well. I think the cookies look wonderful!!
Carolyn says
Come to Boston and get a lesson from him. He’s worth every penny! 🙂
[email protected] says
Why yes, I’ll take two cookies for breakfast any day!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I’m so excited about this post–yay for you! The photos turned out beautiful. I’m also trying to get out of my comfort zone and do portrait photos more, but I keep throwing in the towel and reverting to my old way when it doesn’t turn out right after a few tries.
And I don’t think the cookies are ugly at all. They’re rustic. 🙂
Carol says
I love pumpkin anything. Was wondering if you’d ever tried using cacao nibs vs. chocolate chips? Might take a bit more sweet, not sure about that. Thanks for the recipe!
Carolyn says
Cacao nibs would be great too!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
I think you done an awesome job and gave me some great tips, I’m trying to escape my comfort zone but it’s hard I tell ya’
Jeanette says
What a fun time you must have had and I do love the composition of these photos!
Jamie says
What could you use in place of the Greek yogurt for someone who is lactose intolerant?
Carolyn says
Good question. Another banana and some water would be fine, I think.
Wondering what camera do you use? says
Wondering what camera you use?
jen says
what camera do you use?
Carolyn says
A Canon Rebel
marla says
Love this! Linking back to this post in an upcoming FFC post 🙂
Joanne says
Just made these and devoured the first one ! SO GOOD ! THANKS !
Isabella says
Hi,
I was wondering since I can’t eat oats, what could I use to replace the oat flour and oats in the recipe?
Thanks
Carolyn says
I’d go with chia seeds, flax or perhaps even some flaked coconut. That might work.
Leslie Baker says
I’m a lazy cook, could I make these into a bar?
Elizabeth says
Would honey work as the sweetener? And if yes, how much should I use?
Thanks
Elizabeth
Carolyn says
I’m sorry, I don’t use honey so I can’t guide you.