Today we’d like to introduce you to Aubrie Cornelius.
Hi Aubrie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I think I first fell in love with photography in college. In my junior year, I was accepted to a study abroad program in Madrid in 2011. While there I was immersed in Spanish culture, its’ architecture, language, and the food (fresh baguettes, paella, and my favorite, churros con chocolate). I had packed a small point and shoot camera and documented everything from the food I ate to the weekend trips our group took to Valladolid, Segovia, Sevilla, and Toledo. I was completely enchanted by what I viewed as a magical world and my camera allowed me to freeze those precious moments in time.
A year later, recently married and about to graduate from university, I purchased my first professional camera. The only problem? I had no idea how to use it. Luckily Google, Pinterest and Youtube existed and soon became my best friends. I would spend hours researching how to shoot in manual mode, what a RAW file is, and how to find “good” light. I was so eager to improve I would take my camera with me everywhere and try to photograph the people I knew as often as they would let me.
Soon after I graduated, I moved to DC for work and found myself in an exciting new city with no one to model for me and seemingly no way to improve my photographic skills. Frustrated and itching to use my camera, I realized I could take pictures of the food I was making and learn composition, lighting, and food styling on my own. I began creating recipes every day after work and I found myself enamored with recipe creation and started a food blog called, The Blonde Chef. Over the following two years, I learned how to showcase food through lighting and props and to tell a story through my images.
Storytelling is really what has continued to inspire me throughout the years. Learning how to build a scene from the ground up is what makes food photography so exciting for me. Choosing every detail from the color and texture of backdrops, to the linens, silverware, and the ingredients in the dish is so satisfying. There aren’t many fields of photography where you get to have that much control over what you’re shooting. Crafting a world that tells a story unique to the product/brand I’m shooting is very special.
Now, almost eleven years after my study abroad to Spain, I own Aubrie Cornelius Photography LLC and am lucky to work with many local and national brands whose passion for their products and their dedication to their vision continues to inspire me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think starting your own business is ever a smooth road. As a self-taught photographer who specializes in food photography, my path definitely hasn’t been straightforward. It’s required me to have a lot of faith in myself and take risks (hello, spending thousands of dollars on camera and lighting equipment). It also required a lot of introspection and recognizing that my own self-doubt and fear of failure was keeping me from making mistakes which, in turn, had stopped me from improving.
In 2020, during the start of the COVID lockdowns, I made a promise to myself to re-commit to my craft and to view myself as a CEO/business owner. I realized that I could turn a mental “switch” and take control of the success of my business. That seemingly small change in my mindset has been life-changing and has led to many doors being opened. It made me realize that my own perfectionism was acting as a gatekeeper to my success. I had been so paralyzed by the idea that I didn’t know “enough” that I had stopped experimenting and more importantly having FUN. This shift has also led to my investing in workshops from top industry professionals, upgrading my gear to deliver a better product, and improving client experience. Through each obstacle, perspective shift, and change I have learned to continue to choose myself.
At the end of the day, I am passionate about what I do and feel really lucky that I get to work with such amazing clients. Bringing a creative vision to life is incredibly fulfilling and propels me to continue learning and improving my craft.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I view my work as a way to capture the raw beauty of food. My goal is to photograph each element to look palatable and also recognizable. Over the years I’ve honed my lighting, styling, and editing techniques to make each ingredient sing beneath my lens.
Nothing makes me happier than speaking with a client who prioritizes sourcing high-quality ingredients. When my clients are passionate about each element of the dish, from sourcing to plating, you can see a difference in the level of artistry they bring to the table.
As I’ve gained experience as a photographer I’m proud that I continue to challenge myself to learn new techniques. About five years ago my dad gave me his, now vintage, Nikon FA 35mm camera and I started capturing my family on film. While I mostly capture my own family moments, working with film has taught me so much about metering for highlights and shadows and also helped me find my editing style. Three years later I found myself frustrated by the limitations of shooting with natural sunlight for commercial work and decided to invest in learning artificial light. Relying solely on natural light can be challenging as a food photographer, it creates inconsistencies while shooting over a multi-hour period. To eliminate this issue, I rented artificial lighting kits, took multiple artificial lighting workshops and really honed my skills through practice.
Now, I am known for my use of both natural and artificial light. For larger shoots, I mostly use artificial light as it gives me the most flexibility and consistency. I teach workshops on how to manipulate artificial light to mimic natural light, as well as how to style food. I find true joy in translating an idea into a realized work of art.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is working in the kitchen alongside my mom. Growing up on the East Coast my mother’s culinary skills were really influenced by our time living in the suburbs of Chicago. We had a Lebanese neighbor who was generous with her culinary knowledge and taught my mom how to make stuffed grape leaves, tzatziki, hummus, and lamb (among other things). I remember going to the Lebanese market near our home and helping my mom buy ingredients like; lebnah, tahini, and dried mint.
My mom would cook dinner daily for us and, using what she learned from her friend, would often create her own dishes. I almost never saw her cook with a recipe, instead, she would use fresh ingredients we had on hand to make something new. I remember crushing garlic cloves with salt in a mortar and pestle, pouring cans of garbanzo beans into the food processor and always the fresh, bright scent of lemon. Learning to cook using my intuition is one of my most valued skills, and I’m so grateful I was able to learn from her.
Pricing:
- Half Day Base Fee: From $850.00
- Full Day Base Fee: From $1,450
- Custom: Interested in collaborating on a long term project? Use the contact form on my website, aubriecorneliusphotography.com, to schedule a discovery call.
Contact Info:
- Email: aubriecornelius@gmail.com
- Website: aubriecorneliusphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblonde_chef/?hl=en
Image Credits
Aubrie Cornelius Photography
