044: Embracing Change: Emilie Fosnocht’s Journey into Food Styling

Is Passion Enough to Pivot?

Have you ever found yourself questioning your path, wondering if there’s something more out there for you? Imagine finding yourself at such a crossroads, where the pursuit of a passion becomes the only way out of what feels like a difficult and dark place. This is Emilie Fosnocht’s journey into food styling.

Growing up outside of Philadelphia, Emilie was drawn to the city’s rich culture and diverse food scene. Her artistic pursuits led her to London’s Goldsmiths, where she graduated with an art degree and worked at a gallery for two years. Upon returning to Philadelphia, Emilie ventured into the world of textile design, only to discover that her true passion lay in the art of food and prop styling. This pivotal realization steered her towards a path at Anthropologie and ultimately as a freelancer.

Through her story, Emilie empowers creatives to weave their passions into their professions. She is here to share her journey, insights, and the art of food styling, encouraging others to explore and embrace their culinary creativity.

About Emilie Fosnocht

Emilie Fosnocht is the embodiment of culinary artistry. She blends her passion for food with her knack for prop styling to create visually stunning dishes. With roots in Philadelphia, her work is as rich and diverse as the city’s culinary scene. A graduate of Goldsmiths in London, Emilie’s journey from textile design at Anthropologie to mastering food and prop styling showcases her versatile talent. She champions the art of visual storytelling, whether it’s through the lens of a camera or the layout of a dinner table.

Select clients include Bon Appétit, Hershey, IKEA, National Geographic, Anthropologie, Momofuku, Epicurious, Wawa, Starr Restaurants, IHG, TIME Magazine, Urban Outfitters, Teremana, Laurent Perrier, Nobu, Hip City Veg, Fine Wine & Good Spirits, Terrain, The Washington Post, Saladworks, Prevention Magazine, Insomnia Cookies, Philly Mag, DermaFlash, Peter Thomas Roth.

Embracing the Unknown: Emily’s Journey Into Food Styling

During Emilie’s time at Anthropologie, she encountered a transformative opportunity that led her to reevaluate her career. Initially drawn to textile design, she soon realized her heart was not in it, sparking a journey towards finding her true passion. This moment of realization was both daunting and exhilarating, prompting Emilie to explore new avenues in food and prop styling.

Emilie’s discovery that food styling could be a profession marked a turning point in her career. Although she had always had an interest in food, the realization that she could merge this with her artistic skills presented both excitement and uncertainty. It was this newfound understanding and encouragement from a friend that propelled her towards embracing food styling as a career.

Stirring the Pot of Creativity

Emilie Fosnocht’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to pursue your passions and turn them into a career. By stepping out of her comfort zone and embracing the unknown, she found her true calling in the art of food and prop styling. Her journey encourages us to explore our own passions, take risks, and remain open to the possibilities that lie ahead.

For those inspired by Emilie’s story, here’s an invitation to delve deeper into the world of food styling, experiment with your creative ideas, and perhaps, discover your own path in this captivating field. Emilie’s journey from the streets of Philadelphia to the studios of food photography showcases the beauty of blending passion with profession, urging us all to find our unique culinary canvas.

Action Checklist

Explore Your Local Food Scene: Immerse yourself in local markets and restaurants to spark inspiration.
Practice Food Styling with Everyday Meals: Start with what you eat; style it, photograph it, and analyze it.
Experiment with Different Props: Use various backgrounds, plates, and utensils to see how they change the story of the food.
Understand Lighting: Practice shooting in different lighting conditions to see how it affects the mood of your food photography.
Offer to Style for Friends: Gain experience and build your portfolio by offering your services to your small owner business friends.
Read “The Food Styling Bible”: Gain valuable insights and tips from this comprehensive resource.

Episode Breakdown

Emilie’s Philly roots inspire her aesthetics.
Emilie’s decision to study at Goldsmiths in London.
The transformative experience of moving to and studying in London.
The realization that the current path wasn’t fulfilling and her journey into food styling.
Transition from textile design to food styling.
Discovering food styling as a career path.
The role of food in Emilie’s family and her draw to styling.
The first steps in food styling and learning the craft.
The natural fit of prop styling and food styling.
Overcoming challenges and learning on the job.
Misconceptions about food styling.
The importance of “The Food Styling Bible.”
Emilie’s first lead stylist job.
Inspirational figures in the food styling industry.
The reality of schlepping in food styling.
The essentials of a food styling kit.
Adjusting expectations with clients.
The significance of prep in food styling.
Planning and executing food styling shoots.
The learning curve in food styling.