mountain girl ----> city girl


It happened like this.  I was frantically roaming around the internet, as I had been for the last couple of months, looking for *the perfect bakery*.  I was first applying to New Zealand, hoping for a fairy tale life, then California, for some earthy bread making, then Asheville for something familiar, and then Maine for the cabin lifestyle.  Nothing seemed quite right, and all my efforts for New Zealand weren't coming back to me.  I finally was accepted by a bakery on the southern island of New Zealand, and then 2 weeks before classes ended the owner wrote to me saying he could no longer afford to accommodate my apprenticeship.  The message was received amidst a time where I was unable to live in my apartment due to a health concern in the complex, living out the last month sleeping on a friend's couch, and then also some family troubles for a nice garnish.  


I was sitting on the familiar couch, feeling quite lost, when I began reflecting on what I had done over the past year - the activities I constantly pursued, and the hobbies that constantly inspired.  I remembered photographing bread and pastries in Victoria, the picnics I shared that I was so inspired to capture, and the Wild Fire Bakery video I made that received such positive feedback.  I then thought of my return to Vermont and how I embarked on each food project with my vision always being 'something I will want to photograph later'. 

I typed into Google, 'food photographers'.

I was hoping to find a food photographer who might have some advice on getting an internship, what the process might be, what to expect. Then, when scrolling through I saw Vanessa Rees' familiar name, a photographer I've admired for quite some time now.  I clicked on her blog and there it was, her latest post: Cards and Interns.  A simple post advertising her holiday cards and indicating that she was looking for a couple of interns starting in January.  Without thinking I wrote to her, a simple and honest e-mail explaining my experience.

Within the hour I got the response, "Demetria, I'd love to chat with you!" 


I was so excited.  One thing led to another, and before I knew it I had an internship!  All the months of stressing, and there it was, all settled.


It will be a comfort, as Vanessa is another southern raised girl like me, growing up in Virginia, working a job she hated and then slowly working towards her dreams of actually pursuing photography.  Now she's shooting for big names like Food & Wine magazine, Ralph Lauren, and this year Saveur awarded her with the best photography in their Food Blog awards, an honor considering all the food blogs that are out there.  And all the prestige aside, you can see in her photos -  layouts that really tell a story, artful food placements that evoke feelings, and photos that show a true mastery of the craft.  
So, there you have it, you're looking at Vanessa Rees' latest intern.  And I'm moving from the Vermont hills into Brooklyn on the New Year.


All photos above taken by Vanessa Rees and I had no part in the production of them. And really, you should look at all of her work.

12 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! I'm so so stoked for you!

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  2. That's so exciting!! When do you move? Congratulations!!
    I actually have a question for you, I hope you don't mind, but I was wondering, since you've been moving a lot, how do you actually define "home" ? I'm only 21 and I'm constantly in the fear that I will never find home, because I've been moving around quite a bit aswell and now I have friends in all the different parts of the country, but that's just not the same like having one group of friends in one place where you live, so I was wondering how are you dealing with those things??

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    1. I love your questions.
      I will be fully settling in on January 10th!
      And as far as defining home - it can be a challenge sometimes. My family all moved out of my childhood home soon after I graduated high school, so in addition to moving a lot, I don't have too much of a home base to return to. I often find comfort in little things - nesting my place so it can be a place of peace and security and creativity, meeting new people and doing homey things like sharing coffee and breakfast with them, listening to music that reminds me of childhood friends, doing something that inspires you. I think it's also good to nurture the relationships that are really valuable to you. My two closest friends live far away and whenever I'm feeling confused or lost, it's so helpful to call them and recenter, and then do the same for them when they need you. I think also, the more you travel and wander, the more you begin to find that your home is the road, you begin to feel at home with yourself and your own personal journey. It can be hard sometimes, but in the end I feel it is incredibly rewarding. I hope this helps! Good luck.

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  3. So exciting! Brooklyn sounds so big and scary haha! Have fun on your new adventure :)

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  4. Congratulations, that's so cool! Incidentally, I know nothing about the food photography scene but I just got Isa Moskowitz's newest cookbook for xmas and have been drooling over the food pics. Guess who the photographer was? Yup, Ms Rees. Her arrangements and use of color are so appealing she could probably make hospital food look good! For lunch today I made (and then promptly inhaled) a big plate of Sesame Slaw with Warm Garlicky Seitan because the picture was just so darn alluring. Good luck, I bet you're gonna have an amazing time!

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    1. I've got to check out that book! And what a coincidence, my uncle got the midnight moonshine she photographed for Christmas! She's popping up everywhere. And I agree with you about the hospital food thing! Comparing her photos to mine is humbling.

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  5. still so so happy for you and can't wait to see upcoming photos! I will now plan to visit you in Brooklyn when I get back and you can take me to all the best bakeries. you deserve this congrats congrats!!!!

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  6. That is so exciting! Looking forward to seeing anything you get the chance to post. Huge congratulations, Demetria!

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    1. Also, unrelated, but we listed your blog as one of our favourites of 2013 :)

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