ELIS HALENKO FOOD STYLING & PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO
“Working with Elis was a real pleasure. With so many food titles in the market place it is vital that a modern stylish imagery is created. We worked with Elis for several artistic projects including various social media initiatives, marketing events and a collaborative 12-page recipe calendar. We found that Elis had a unique perspective, passion and flair. Elis’ food styling and photography professionalism ensured that all the shots were stylish, contemporary and mouth-watering. She has an excellent eye for design and her willingness to experiment is a valued quality that has resulted in achieving results we have both been exceptionally happy with. Elis is a real asset and we thoroughly enjoyed working with her.” Toby Davidson President, The Toby Brand Founder, Cookin’ Greens 416-399-4329 www.cookingreens.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS CURRICULUM VITAE DRAMA
4-5 6-11
COMFORT MEALS
12-21
DRINKS
22-25
SWEET THINGS
26-31
Hi! My Name is Elis. I am a Food Stylist & Photographer and run my own business, Halenko Creative Agency. I love the way food brings people together in the kitchen or at the table. I find food a constant inspiration for my art. My soul is happiest when I have a camera and food in hand. My stomach doesn’t mind the situation either. At Halenko Creative Agency, I am responsible for food styling, food photography, recipe development, prop design, and editing. I often work on tight deadlines and I always ensure the clients are happy along the way. Creative outputs include: ads and recipe cards, food and lifestyle photography, recipe videos, brochures, food calendar, recipe books & recipe e-books. Client Accounts: Eat Right Ontario, George Brown College, LiveWell Marketing, Ontario Pork, Naturally More, YOSO, The Healthy Crunch, Cedar Juice, Chapmans, A+ Smoodees, Cookin’ Greens, Tonica, Velvetea, Coffee Panda. Enjoy My Portfolio! Elis Halenko,
CURRICULUM VITAE
A + Smoodees, Food stylist & Photographer Recipe development and creation of A+ Smoodees recipe cards Cookin’ Greens, Marketing, Operations, Food Styling & Photography Product nutrient analysis, collaborated in packaging label content and label design, website design & food photography, recipe development, blog and content writing, marketing programs including coordinating and execution of events and demos, creation of promotional materials (e.g EyeFoods Calendar), social media management (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) John Halenko Photography, Food Preparations & Food Styling (See http://www.halenko.com/, pizza and paella) Ryerson University, Cooking Class Coordinator, Recipe Development & Food Design Lead role in the creation of the scripts, recipe development, food preparation and food styling, organizing and training volunteers and staff, recruiting participants, developing floor plans and organizing the required food and equipment, demonstrated exemplary communication skills and food preparation techniques in presenting food demonstrations and engaging guests in integrative discussions University of Toronto, Hart House, Filmmaking & Production Assistant Completion of film workshops at Hart House, including Editing Concepts and Theories and Movie Making 101, production assistant in the following films: “Horrid when She’s Bad”, “Corporate BS Artistes”
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2014- Present 2014 - 2015
2012 Summer of 2010 Fall of 2011 Summer of 2012
Chocolate Tales, Assistant Operations Manager, Marketing & PR Managed call center, social media and marketing
2012 - 2014
Creative Sampling Solutions Inc., Nutrition Ambassador & Sales
2012 - Present
Food & Health Blogs: Chocolate Tales Cookin’ Greens Platinum Health & Wellness Sarafino Olive Oil
http://www.chocolatetales.ca/blog/ http://cookingreens.com/blog/ http://www.platinumhealth.ca/blog.html http://www.sarafino.com/blog/
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Platinum Health and Wellness Clinic, PR Intern Collaborated in setting PR goals and objectives, conducting demographic and market research, marketing City of Toronto, Special Events Toronto Team Captain Leadership role in training and organizing volunteers pre and post special events including, Open Doors Toronto, Summerlicious, Nuit Blanche
2014
April 2013
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, Research Assistant
2008-2010
Toronto Youth Food Policy Council Member
2009-2010
Mentor Leader, Peace by PEACE Program Collaborated with classroom teacher to lead group activities and workshops for a supplementary curriculum on conflict resolution for Grades 4-6 classes at Senhor Santo Cristo School, TCDSB
2008-2009
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & ACCREDITATIONS University of Toronto, PR Certification Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Dietetic Internship
Winter 2012/13
2014-Present 2014-15 2013-14 2013-14
Food Handlers Certificate Ryerson University, Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutrition and Food
Sept 2013-2014 Oct 2010- July 2011 Spring 2011- Present 2006- 2010
5
DRAMA dra·ma ˈdrämə/ noun
-an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events or set of circumstances. In this section I used focused lighting, close ups on subjects, and contrast to create a dramatic effect. Sometimes the most mundane food, depending on how it is photographed, can look out-ofworldly and interesting which makes my job as a food stylist and photographer all the more exciting. It challenges me to consider how elements such as shadows, contrast, the size of the subject, color and saturation come together to capture the eye and provide an iteration that is uniquely my own. Depicted on the right: Stuffed Sweet Potato
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Left: Red Snapper & Spices
Above: Chicken Feet
Above: Loaded Sweet Potato
Right: Cheese Board
11
COMFORT
MEALS com·fort ˈkəmfərt/ noun
-the easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress. -“a few words of comfort” Food is comfort. As a dietitian, I have heard people share the details about their relationships with food and can deduce that a grand theme is: food is comforting. This is beyond a hunger and satiation model. We eat foods now not just for sustenance, but sometimes our food choices are driven by the feeling of ease they bring – pie that reminds us of our grandma, or garlic peas enjoyed during our summers at the cottage. The pictures in these shots hopefully look intriguing and appetizing, but also are like a warm hug. Depicted on the right: Skinnypasta with wild mushrooms, truffle oil, parmesan and arugula
Above: Roasted Potatoes 11
12 14
Left: Trout Vegetable Soup
Above: Edamame
Above: Coconut Tahiini Grilled Tofu Wraps
Right: Pizza Burgers
17
18
Above: Braised Lentils
Right: Fig Pizza
Left: Asparagus
Right: Pork Tenderloin & Rainbow Potatoes
20
DRINKS driNGk/ verb
-take (a liquid) into the mouth and swallow. -“we sat by the fire, drinking our coffee” I remember the first time I professionally photographed a drink. It involved the acrobatic coordination of a gymnast and the lighting expertise of a … well photographer … several sources of light, white card, a reflective object and plastic ice cubes later, I had my first shot and it was a beauty. Shooting drinks properly can leave with your thirst quenching epic results, but this is a skilled trade that involves experience and knowhow as Photoshop can do next to nothing to make a drink look alive. This is an area I am proud to say I am always still learning in and excited to tackle. Depicted on the right: Carlsberg
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Above: Iced Coffee
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SWEET
THINGS swēt/ adjective
-having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey; not salty, sour, or bitter. -“a cup of hot sweet tea” -pleasing in general; delightful. -“it was the sweet life he had always craved” I love sweet treats. Sweet treats are often a messy delight to shoot. Often sprinkling sugar, flour, honey, nuts, fruit on the table, these shots often require a steady hand and a good eye for composition… and let’s be honest, the ability to restrain oneself from eating dessert before the photo shoot is complete. Some of my favorite ways to capture desserts are in a moody, country cottage environment, outdoors using natural light and a beautiful scenic backdrop, and bright kitchen settings. Depicted on the right: Grandmas Apple Pie
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Right and Left: Tea Party
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Left: Breakfast
Above: Pretzel Cookie
Elis Halenko Food Stylist + Photographer elishalenko.net@gmail.com 416.625.8258