Food Photography Workshops in Vancouver
Hands-on food photography and food styling workshops with Danielle (DL) Acken: two-time Gourmand World Cookbook Awards “Best in the World” winner, with 27 cookbooks behind her. The next workshop is in Vancouver, BC, in spring 2027. Can’t wait? One-to-one lessons and portfolio reviews run online all year.
Real food, real light, real props, and a frank look at the business behind it. Small group, hands on, good enough to eat.
Learn one-to-one, The Private Lesson: $395 CAD
Workshops run once a year. One-to-one teaching runs all year, by video call, so you can start now from anywhere. Ninety minutes, one-to-one, with nobody else in the room. Light, styling, editing, pricing, the business side: you set the agenda. Includes a written summary afterwards.
The Portfolio Review: $175 CAD
Send 15–20 images. We’ll schedule an online critique session, and you’ll get a written action plan within 10 days. Honest, specific, useful.
earlybird workshop seat | spring 2027: $975 CAD
What you’ll learn
Light. How to read it, shape it and control it, so food looks fresh, textured and edible.
Food styling. Building a set, choosing props, plating, and the small details that make people want to reach into the frame.
Composition and story. Shooting the way cookbook publishers, editors and food brands actually commission.
Editing. A clean, consistent workflow so your images look like a body of work, not a pile of files.
The business. Pitching, licensing, pricing and invoicing: the part most courses skip and the part that pays the bills.
Who it’s for
Food bloggers and recipe developers, food creators, photographers moving into food, and small food and drink brands who want to shoot their own work properly. If you want honest feedback from someone who does this for a living, you’re in the right place.
Spring 2027 in Vancouver
Where: Vancouver, British Columbia. The venue is confirmed with booked participants.
When: Spring 2027. Dates go to the waitlist first.
Price: $975 CAD earlybird, $1,175 CAD full price.
Group: Small and hands on, so everyone shoots and everyone gets feedback.
Your teacher: Danielle Acken
Danielle (DL) Acken is a food photographer, art director and culinary author. She has photographed 27 cookbooks for publishers including Phaidon, Appetite by Random House and TouchWood Editions, and won two Gourmand World Cookbook Awards “Best in the World”. Her commercial clients include Four Seasons, Wolf Blass Wines and WellBar. She brings two decades of answers and teaches the way she works: practical, specific and honest.
See the work: cookbook photography, editorial food photography and the full portfolio.
“I have attended 2 of Danielle’s photography retreats and come away with vastly more knowledge and inspiration after each. I love her vibrant, playful style and commitment to helping small brands make their mark. Creative, passionate and so technically skilled, she is a true professional.” — Sabrina Currie
“I was so pleasantly surprised to have gained so much valuable information and instruction from Danielle during the four day workshop. She is patient, kind and full of expertise and is happily willing to share all the tips and details that go into creating a great photograph.” — Dirk Heydemann, workshop participant
The big one. Reserve your earlybird place at the spring 2027 DL Acken food photography workshop, for yourself or as a gift.
Real food, real light, real props, and a frank look at the business behind it: pitching, licensing, pricing, invoicing. Small group, hands on, good enough to eat.
— Spring 2027 in Vancouver. Dates go to seat-holders and the waitlist first. Earlybird price $975 CAD (full price $1,175). Seats are subject to availability.
— For yourself: your seat confirmation arrives by email within 24 hours.
— As a gift: print it, wrap it or forward it. Emailed within 24 hours, so it’s never too late for Christmas.
— Valid for 12 months from issue.
This voucher is for the named service only and is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Not redeemable for cash. To book, email danielle@dlacken.com and quote your voucher number.
Ninety minutes, one-to-one, with nobody else in the room.
Light, styling, editing, pricing, the business side: you set the agenda, I bring two decades of answers. Held by video call, so it works from Vancouver, London or a kitchen table anywhere.
— Includes a written summary afterwards.
— For yourself: your voucher arrives by email within 24 hours. Reply and we’ll book your session.
— As a gift: print it, wrap it or forward it. Emailed within 24 hours, so it’s never too late for Christmas.
— Valid for 12 months from issue.
This voucher is for the named service only and is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Not redeemable for cash. To book, email danielle@dlacken.com and quote your voucher number.
For anyone already shooting who wants to get properly good. Book it for yourself or give it as a gift.
Send me 15–20 images. We’ll schedule an online critique session, and I’ll send a written action plan within 10 days. Honest, specific, useful. No fluff, no flattery, just what’s working, what isn’t, and what to do next.
From a two-time Gourmand “Best in the World” photographer with 27 cookbooks behind her.
— Delivered online, so you can be anywhere.
— For yourself: your voucher arrives by email within 24 hours. Reply with your images and we’re off.
— As a gift: print it, wrap it or forward it. Emailed within 24 hours, so it’s never too late for Christmas.
— Valid for 12 months from issue.
This voucher is for the named service only and is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Not redeemable for cash. To book, email danielle@dlacken.com and quote your voucher number.
Food photography workshop FAQs
Where are the workshops held?
The spring 2027 workshop is in Vancouver, British Columbia. The exact venue is shared with booked participants.
When is the next food photography workshop?
Spring 2027. Dates are sent to the waitlist before they are published anywhere else.
How much does a workshop cost?
Earlybird seats are $975 CAD. The full price is $1,175 CAD per seat. A Workshop Seat gift voucher is also $975 CAD.
Can I give a workshop as a gift?
Yes. Gift vouchers are emailed as a printable PDF within 24 hours of purchase and are valid for 12 months from issue. They are not redeemable for cash, and workshop seats are subject to availability.
Can I book a one-to-one lesson or portfolio review?
Yes, any time of year. A 90-minute private lesson by video call is $395 CAD, and a portfolio review with an online critique session and written action plan is $175 CAD. Both happen online, so you can join from anywhere.
Do you also teach food styling?
Yes. Food styling is built into every workshop, alongside light, composition, editing and the business side.