In this episode we talked about Unpopular Opinions about baking, photographing food and about publishing a cookbook.  Unpopular Opinion No. 1 - You don’t have to wait for a publisher to publish your own cookbook. We are proof that we/you can do it yourself. Self-publishing can be the fast road to getting your cookbook out in the market.   Unpopular Opinion No. 2 - Baking doesn’t have to be an exact Science.  There is versatility within baking.  Unpopular Opinion No. 3 - Cookbooks are as relevant as ever contrary to the popular opinion that cookbooks are becoming obsolete ..read more

In this episode we will talk about digital fluidity, and how it influenced the design of our cookbook JOÏ: Baking and Photographing Northern European Party. We can start by defining what Digital Fluidity is: “Digital Fluidity refers to the ability to seamlessly navigate and adapt to digital technologies, platforms and tools in an ever-evolving digital landscape. It encompasses flexibility, agility and competence to interact, communicate and utilize digital resources effectively. Digital fluidity has a large influence on how we live our lives today. We constantly flow into and out of the digita ..read more

In this Episode we will talk about the top 10 baking & photography props or tools under $15 you need to up your baking or pastry photography game! These were props or tools we continuously use in both our trades that helped achieve amazing results in baking & photographing the pastry featured in JOI.  Photography Tools & their respective suggested links for purchase! 1. Step Tool $10  2. Powder Sugar Duster/ Colander $10  3. Herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, Etc) - Potentially Free if you pick it up from your garden.  4. Mason Jars - $10 /Free if you save the ones from y ..read more

In this episode we talk about the growing pains of publishing your own Cookbook. We have already personally met quite a few people that are interested in creating their own cookbook.  Something you need to be aware of is that a Cookbook is NOT a novel with just text. JOÏ: Baking & Photographing Northern European Pastry was created with the intent of being a beautifully designed coffee table picture book, as well as an inspiring and easy to use recipe book.  As we got closer to the publication of the book, we encountered a lot of challenges and roadblocks that led us to have to ..read more

In this episode we will talk about what makes a recipe special, and prompts you to save it, and bake it or cook it over and over again. . What are those sensory cues that connect you to a recipe. We also feature some of our favorite recipes from JOÏ: Baking & Photographing Northern European Pastry.  Joanna has a small recipe notebook in her bookshelf where she has handwritten some of her favorite recipes. They are the ones she really wanted to make sure she didn’t forget because they are really awesome. It includes a recipe for an Indonesian marinade for pork shoulder chops that is a ..read more

In this episode we talked about the Top 10 things any author needs to be successful when publishing a cookbook. Our intention is not to discourage you from undertaking this type of creative project, but instead to bring awareness as to what really goes into publishing a cookbook.  Here are the top 10 things any cookbook author needs to be successful: 1. Define YOUR WHY 2. Come up with a UNIQUE Concept 3. Think of your cookbook's ‘concept’  4. Find a Sounding Board  5. Make it Beautiful  Consider the design of your book 6. Provide a Kick-Ass UX  7. Maintain a Meticulo ..read more

In this episode we hosted our first guest, Steve Sheppard, our cookbook Mentor. Dr. Steven Shepard is the founder of the Shepard Communications Group in Williston, Vermont. A professional author, photographer, audio producer, and educator with more than 40 years in the technology industry, he has written over 100 books and articles on a wide variety of topics. Steve is the creator and host of the Natural Curiosity Project Podcast, which is based on the idea that curiosity leads to discovery, discovery leads to knowledge, knowledge leads to insight, and insight leads to understanding.   ..read more

This episode is about storytelling and food photography.  Cyntia is the talented photographer that created most of the images in JOI the Cookbook. Joanna interviews Cyntia, and her process of switching gears from Family Photography to Food Photography thanks in great part to the collaboration that took place in the creation of this cookbook. Cyntia describes the process of adding elements of storytelling to her food photography, such as the use of interesting light, raw ingredients, use of props to tell a story, etc.  How she pushed herself to be consistent with her aesthetics of p ..read more

In this episode we tell the story of how our journey in the creation of our first cookbook, JOÏ baking and photographing Northern European pastry started.  The precise moment that got Cyntia & Joanna together, and the idea sparked in both our minds: "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if we made a cookbook out of this?".  We hope to inspire you to take actions in those ideas, and make your dreams come true. You can learn more about our creative journey at www.joithecookbook.com www.joithecookbook.com IG: @joithecookbook.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joithecookbook/ Join our Pri ..read more