Episode #10: Culinary Innovator, Food Stylist and Recipe Genius Nicola Davis

Episode 11: Fadwa Ward, Photographer + Producer: A Spectrum of Experiences with a Wildly Generous Heart

Fadwa Ward is spectacular- and the spectrum of experience she’s accrued is phenomenal.  She’s worked for high-end commercial clients and on music videos around the world. She's tackled capturing everyone from models to puppies to corporate firms. But my favorite thing about Fadwa is her trust and her motivation.  She epitomizes an embrace of the unknown, as she confesses, at the beginning of her career in the music publishing world, she had no idea she was a creative and was completely convinced she would never be an artist.  Oh, how things have changed, due in part to Fadwa’s internal drive. We chat about how she landed her first production coordinator role by tweeting the company she wanted to work for constantly, and how that role set her up for the success she enjoys now. It taught her to understand timelines and deliverables, and about how long, detailed and organized the creative process must be to make something magical happen; about how good it is to be in a place where you are learning all of the things. And how hard, and how beneficial, it is to us when we take blind leaps of faith toward doors that seem to be opening.  Flash forward only nine years later, and Fadwa's thriving. We discuss production houses versus agencies. She chats about lessons learned while producing a WILD shoot in the Dominican Republic for King and Country, including navigating a torrential downpour in a remote village in the jungle, and how her team created non-existent shoes for a Brooks running commercial. We finish with why crew people are her favorite people. Because, like Fadwa says, at the end of the day, people are the only thing that matters, and you can see it in every ounce of her work. I think you are gonna love this episode and be inspired to find ownership in your own work and business, for the better. Enjoy! ***** Show notes: Fadwa’s website [https://fadwaward.com/]  Fadwa’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fadwaaaa/] For King and Country music video: for KING + COUNTRY - WORLD ON FIRE with Taylor Hill (Official Music Video) [https://youtu.be/Dnfbpu7iSGU?si=1Tpz-4CRts-aJGE4] Fadwa’s passion project, Woven in Wonde [https://fadwaward.com/#/woven-in-wonder/]r Donate to Woven in Wonder here [https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-create-lasting-memories-for-down-syndrome-families?attribution_id=sl:f1256c36-a7cd-4d65-a3e0-1dcc14d33ae1&lang=en_US&ts=1757385535&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_c-amp17_te&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link]

Episode #10: Culinary Innovator, Food Stylist and Recipe Genius Nicola Davis

Washington, D.C.-based food stylist and recipe developing genius Nicola Davis is the fizz to our soda, a literal bucket of creative stars. She just makes everything better. TRULY. She is not only one of my food-styling favorites, she is a fantastic recipe developer and culinary innovator, and I could not be more thrilled to talk to her about what her creative process looks like and how her South African roots, work in menu design, intellect, and joyful capacity for tenacious work make her a stand-out in our industry. In her brilliant words, “A recipe developer takes the heart and the instinct of how to cook food and it makes it accessible to everybody.” That is Nicola- clear, concise, and bold- confessing that her North Star is always abundance and kindness. She is flavor, she is zest- she brings out the best in the world around her and in other creative humans.  We also talk about how tenacity will get you everywhere, and delve deep into the value of assisting and serving other food stylists; about the fact that it not only helps you make connections and leads to new clients, but that there is always, always more to learn. Didn't know Korean corn dogs were a trend? We discuss. And not to be outdone, we of course must talk about Nicola’s bangs. I am telling you- they are the most fabulous bangs I’ve ever seen on set, so I get the low-down on how to style them myself.  Sit back, relax and prepared to be both inspired and at ease listening to Nicola. She just makes everything better. *** Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/p-Qap-mDQdk] *** Nicola's article on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/making-my-own-pie-building-business-life-terms-nicola-davis-fbzze/] Oolie foods project with Sara Rounsavall [https://www.instagram.com/p/DNk8jH0xvF0/?img_index=13&igsh=YWVoM29ieHZ6ZnB0] One of our favorite agencies of all time, Creative Energy [https://creativeenergy.agency] Science-brained Stylist Sara Rounsavall [https://www.sararounsavall.com] Prize-winning ART made by Nicola and Peggy [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN3CkCfYuW-/?igsh=MXdyZWRjY3preWVqdA%3D%3D] Nicola’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN3CkCfYuW-/?igsh=MXdyZWRjY3preWVqdA%3D%3D] Nicola’s website: https://sageagainstthetagine.com/ [https://sageagainstthetagine.com/] Nicola’s Etsy [https://www.etsy.com/listing/4357684168/organic-style-porcelain-ceramic-handmade?ls=r&ref=related-1&content_source=bfea52847b6abf17883bf7f3046798e2%253Ae4e761c5e959de643d5f1cce8b4834f1df8b682a&logging_key=bfea52847b6abf17883bf7f3046798e2%3Ae4e761c5e959de643d5f1cce8b4834f1df8b682a] Nicola’s bang scissors:

Episode #8: Andrea Fanning, 20+ years Boundless Creator, Prop Master, Art Director, and Set Designer

Oh, what a JOY Ande (*nickname!) Fanning is! Based in Woodstock, GA with her husband and rescue pup Marshal, Ande is a writer’s heart with a rainbow of creative skills, wrapped in contagious positivity. For over 20 years, Ande has had more jobs on set than anyone I know- art director, prop stylist, producer, wardrobe stylist, set decorator, production designer, content producer, writer, editor- you name it, she’s done it, and done it well. She's worked with everyone from Kacey Musgraves to Snoop Dogg to Campbell's soup.  In this episode she generously shares her wisdom in career pivots and embracing peace in calamity, but also shares how grief, and processing it with creativity, helps her hold onto beauty.  We chat about knowing when something is really complete on set: when is that dish, that outfit, that set- really good enough, and we can stop overdoing ourselves? What does we do when the basement where we are supposed to be shooting an indie film floods overnight?! And how on earth do we use these experiences to make us nimble, not cynical? Ande carries us through each of these topics like movements in a symphony, in her graceful, writer's cadence. There are highs and lows in life, she explains- but what better world is there to be in, than one that sees it all- chaotic, wet-paint  sets; sucking water out of a basement; a holiday gin and juice- as an "adventure in the great wide somewhere." As beautiful moments for the taking.  Brilliant. ***** Check out the Ande's full episode on YouTube  [https://youtu.be/ZK7aaEYjvGE?si=hLbe4w9TLX_Px_8K] ***** You can find Ande @theglimmertrain [https://www.instagram.com/theglimmertrain/?igsh=MW10eDM5dnplZGtldg%3D%3D#] on Instagram  Ande's amazing website [https://theglimmertrain.com/]  The Baskin Robbins photos! [https://theglimmertrain.com/commercial]

Episode 8, Rebecca Denton: Food & Lifestyle Photographer, Mom, and Unafraid Creative

Based in Nashville, food and lifestyle photographer Rebecca Denton has been running her own business for over a decade, but was never afraid to do things at her own speed, or let fear get the best of her. One of my all time favorite quotes of Style to Set so far is hers- “So I was a little scared, but more than being scared, I wanted to do it. Or I want it more than I fear it.” She took motherhood and boundaries just as seriously as her craft, and it paid off. Formerly the lead food photographer at Cracker Barrel [https://www.crackerbarrel.com], and now the lead photographer and creative director at Budget Bytes [https://www.budgetbytes.com]- her ability to tell a story with lighting and quiet confidence epitomizes her work. She has a magnetic creative ability to immerse you into the moment and invite you to linger- whether it’s a plate of steaming pasta, butter pecan sticky buns or a little girl in a farmer’s hat, holding a gorgeously giant-feathered hen. She epitomizes grace, humility- everything good in this world. We talk about how creative work isn’t a straight line, and if there is something worth tending to, it is worth prioritizing- and sacrificing for. We dish the dirt on what it’s like to shoot for Cracker Barrel, and the WILD difference between shooting food and people. And on a lighter note, there was that one time we both got lost in the woods and a man on a reclining bicycle helped us find our way home. So I almost pee my pants talking about that too. :) Rebecca also teaches food photography at Nossi College Of Art & Design and is a regular contributor to Edible Nashville magazine.  ***** Watch the FULL episode on YouTube  [https://youtu.be/MBbwWCGnDH8] **** The leap to food photos;  Dite Issager : https://www.ditteisager.dk/ [https://www.ditteisager.dk/] See Rebecca’s beautiful work and how every picture tells a story: https://rebeccadentonphotography.com/ [https://rebeccadentonphotography.com/]

Episode #7: Loren Maring: Branding Mastermind, Stylist & Art Director: A Diamond in the Light

This week we chat with Loren Maring, a literal diamond in the creative space whose talent knows no limit. Now based in New Braunfels, Texas, hear her wild stories from working in fashion design (Ralph Lauren’s hunting lodge anyone?!); see the actual sketches she did for Florida Georgia Line for their Super Bowl performance; and relive your intern days as she shares about literally beating up denim as a job.  Her litany of roles is as diverse as her skills. Her newest business venture, House of Loren, has produced art direction, prop styling, and photography for the likes of Stetson and Sunshine Tienda, the world’s most colorful and fabulous accessories company (i.e. JOY on a platter!). She shares about implementing storefront design and merchandising for Ralph Lauren during her stint in New York, and how through that experience, she learned when enough is enough. Oh, and did we mention, she actually worked a food shoot or two with yours truly? It was all a part of her path to refining and defining who she is- and isn’t- as an artist, and what brands and people she wants to work with. And one more million dollar question she tackles- how do you know if you are actually good-or not good- at something? Lauren gives us some tough love and great advice. Truly a gem of an episode. Loren is also the BRILLIANT mastermind behind Style to Set’s branding, logo and art direction. We can’t thank you ENOUGH Loren!! **** See Loren in all her brilliance on YouTube  [https://youtu.be/uvmYYgl0ZGE] **** Show notes: How to hire Loren: [https://www.instagram.com/thehouseofloren/?igsh=NGpuNnVpeHQ5MWJl#]  *Club Monaco [https://www.clubmonaco.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US_Search_BR_Alone_Exact&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21452881604&gbraid=0AAAAA-Re07a4tvPocDELFt82oF8yBSIWU&gclid=CjwKCAjwtrXFBhBiEiwAEKen1z7OheRdkVIpSARGAFPQSvaL0Arqtm7JQV7qAv9H_R2O3cS68-ijjxoCGLIQAvD_BwE]! That’s the brand Loren was mentioning about New York *Loren's Etsy shop [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHouseOfLoren?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F]