The FOODPHOTO FESTIVAL is an international event dedicated to the art of food photography and food styling, celebrating the intersection of culinary culture and visual storytelling. Founded in 2010 by Gunter Beer, a renowned food photographer, and Manon Straver, a event manager, the festival has become a key event for photographers, stylists, publishers, and professionals in the food industry. Held biennially in various European cities like Tarragona/Spain and Veile/Denmark, the festival offers a dynamic platform for networking, exhibitions, workshops, and discussions about the evolving trends in food and visual media.
Founders
- Gunter Beer: Food photographer with decades of experience capturing the artistry and culture of cuisine. His vision for the festival was to provide a global stage for food photography to be recognized as both a craft and an art form.
- Manon Straver: Event manager
Together, their mission was to build a space where professionals could celebrate and advance the craft of food photography, inspiring creativity and collaboration across the industry.
Purpose and Vision
The festival seeks to elevate food photography as an essential part of culinary communication, emphasizing its importance in advertising, publishing, and cultural expression. By showcasing diverse talent, it fosters innovation while reflecting on the social and aesthetic dimensions of food.
Festival Highlights
- Exhibitions: Exhibitions: Presentation of curated series of work by 20 top food photographers as a print exhibition and short series of 100 top food photographers edited with music in a cinema screening.
- Workshops and Panels: Led by industry experts, covering topics like photography techniques, food styling, and emerging trends in digital media.
- Networking Opportunities: Bringing together photographers, stylists, chefs, publishers, and brand representatives.
- Competitions: Competitions: All exhibiting photographers will be nominated for the prestigious FOODPHOTO AWARD and the FOODFEATURE AWARD in each year of the festival.
Impact on the Industry
FOODPHOTO FESTIVAL has played a transformative role in professionalizing food photography, creating a vibrant community of creatives and establishing itself as a hub for inspiration and exchange. It bridges gaps between culinary art, visual storytelling, and commercial opportunities.
Locations and Legacy
- FOODPHOTO FESTIVAL 2010 Tarragona / Spain
- FOODPHOTO FESTIVAL 2011 Tarragona / Spain
- FOODPHOTO FESTIVAL 2015 Vejle / Denmark
- FOODPHOTO FESTIVAL 2017 Vejle / Denmark
- FOODPHOTO FESTIVAL 2019 Vejle / Denmark
- FOODPHOTO Exhibition 2019 Kunsthalle Erfurt / Germany
- FOODPHOTO Workshops 2020 München-Düsseldorf-Berlin / Germany
Exhibition "FOOD FOR YOUR EYES" Key visual by Michael Crichton & Leigh MacMillan (Canada)AA
Its growing reputation attracts participants and attendees from around the world, solidifying its status as a premier event in the world of food-focused visual arts.
The German Art Magazine Kunstforum writes:
Phenomenon Food Photography - a branch in which the photographic achievement takes a back seat to the object. A fashion photo is perceived above all as an image, whereas a food photo is more likely to be discussed in terms of the ingredients used.
The depiction of the strongly regionally influenced cultural asset of food and eating, which was already an important subject in painting in the 17th century, has been commercialised through the use of photography. The FOODPHOTO FESTIVAL has dedicated itself to a return to perception of food photography as an independent artistic achievement.