Angelique Matthews, a Fashion Designer who has worked at some of the biggest household names such as Ralph Lauren, Reebok, and Foot Locker sits down with me to discuss the journey of quitting her highly successful job, selling her possessions, and traveling the world to discover her version of success. Angelique is now a permanent resident of Melbourne, Australia and it's taken many decisions to land her down under. Not only is Ang an insanely talented Designer, she is also a certified yoga instructor and sustainability advocate. Ang now works with Good On You; the world's largest rating system for fashion and beauty brands based on sustainability, employee treatment, and animal welfare. Good On You helps consumers make informed decisions about the fashion and beauty brands they buy from.
In this episode, we discuss the fashion industry, art school, travel, culture, and of course - the power of yoga.
Good On You - https://goodonyou.eco/
This episode has been divided into 2 parts.
Subject Matters Ep 16 : Tia Herrod
My guest today is Tia Herrod, a fellow graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design. Tia received her Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Theatre Arts with a minor in Film and Television. Since graduation, Tia worked on many blockbuster films, such as Hidden Figures, Selma, and Keeping Up with the Joneses. In 2018, Tia pivoted into the culinary world to pursue her love of cooking, and found herself working within many kitchens including Atlanta's Michelin-star restaurant Lazy Betty, and the 3-Michelin star restaurant The French Laundry. Now Tia is working at the world renowned Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley.
Throughout this conversation, we discuss what it takes to work your way to the top, while maintaining excellence, and a supportive partnership.
If you're ever in Napa Valley, visit the Culinary Institute of America to take a class with Tia and indulge in the "food lover's paradise".
Lazy Betty
Subject Matters Ep 15 : Julia Kesler Imerman
On this episode of Subject Matters, I am so excited to sit down with my dear friend, Julia Kesler Imerman. Over the years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to witness Julia build her own hospitality empire, known as Daily Chew and Stop Think Chew. From her innovative meal prep business to wholesale production and owning a bustling café open seven days a week, Julia has adeptly pivoted with demand while maintaining a clear vision for creating a space for people to gather.
With hospitality at the forefront of her endeavors, Julia creates welcoming spaces that invite everyone to enjoy delicious, thoughtfully prepared food. Since we first met, she has made remarkable business moves, and I’ve been privileged to watch (and capture) this progression in real-time.
Join us as we discuss her journey, through her priority of sourcing, and how her South African roots have inspired her approach to cooking and eating. Whether you’re a food enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the cafe culture in Atlanta, this episode is filled with insights and inspiration.
Follow along @dailychewatl
www.dailychewatl.com
Other references: Food Well Alliance, Captain Planet Foundation, and Danny Meyer’s Setting the Table.
Laura Dargan
Subject Matters Ep 14 : Laura Dargan
I’m excited to share this episode with my friend, Laura Dargan. Laura is a full-time Artist, focused on abstracts and figurative paintings. She strives to create visual energy through color and shape that leaves room for the viewer to interpret it in their own way. Laura grew up in Columbia, SC, and moved to Charleston for college. Since graduation, Laura has made Charleston her home by creating community in various ways. Laura is represented by The Miller Gallery, Charleston Artist Collective and Spalding Nix Fine Art in Atlanta, GA. Laura’s work has been featured in over 20 exhibitions across the southeast and now resides in Mt Pleasant with her husband Timothy and two dogs, Hazel and Pepper.
In this episode, we discuss the journey from going to school to become a doctor, to owning an art supply store, to becoming a full-time painter. We also touch on where Laura draws inspiration from, and how she’s been able to use life’s challenges to impact her creativity in a positive way.
You can follow Laura on social @lauradargan.studio
Subscribe to her newsletter on lauradargan.com to stay in the know for when new artwork is released.
If you’re interested in collecting, you can find Laura’s work at Charleston Artist Collective, The Miller Gallery, and Spalding Nix Fine Art in Atlanta
Subject Matters Ep 13 : Sarah Miller Gelbe
SEASON 2 IS HERE!!
I’m so honored to kick this season off with my very first client in Charleston. Sarah Miller Gelber is the founder of Charleston-based gallery The Miller Gallery, which was founded in 2017 and has been referenced a couple of times on this podcast. Sarah is a multifaceted businesswoman who started a gallery from the ground up representing over 25 artists, 85% of which are female. She's executed over 60 exhibits at the gallery and over two dozen offsite exhibitions across the city.
After multiple major life shifts, Sarah decided to sell the business and pivot her life and career into its next chapter. Sarah now specializes in home renovations within the Charleston real estate scene alongside her husband Greg and Sarah is also the mother of baby girl Sibyl.
You can learn more about The Miller Gallery here.
Shop Subject Matters merchandise here
The Miller Gallery, featuring work by Angela Chrusciaki Blehm
The Miller Gallery, portrait by Jo Hay
Artwork by Kate Hooray Osmund, Teresa Roche, and Dixie Purvis
Rachael Nerney, Kayla Flamman and Sarah Miller Gelber
Subject Matters Ep 12: Myriah Towner
SEASON ONE FINALE ✨
Myriah Towner is a storyteller, curator and designer. Myriah is the Creator of the non-profit organization, Black Farmers Stories. Established in 2018, Black Farmer Stories is a project created to prerserve the history, legacy and argricultural knowledge of Black farmers through storytelling and multi-faceted media. In addition to her documentary work, Myriah's editorial work has been featured in The Daily Telegraph, Chronicle & Journal, and The Content Strategist.
Myriah and I met when we were both working at the Georgia Organics Conference in 2017 and we've managed to find many ways to work together since then. Through this discussion, we talk about Myriah's journey of living in London, discovering her love of farming, and utilizing her journalism degree to preserve the knowledge of the generations before us.
I'm very excited to share this conversation with you today!
Support Myriah and Black Farmers Stories here : https://www.blackfarmerstories.com/about
Learn more about Just Enough Studio space here : https://justenoughstudio.co/
Follow along @blackfarmerstories
@justenoughstudio
Shop Subject Matters Merchandise HERE
Subject Matters Ep 11 : Crystal MacGregor
Today’s episode was recorded on the lovely island of Prince Edward Island, also nicknamed Canada’s Food Island. PEI is known for it’s world-renowned oysters, mussels, lobsters, and potatoes. My guest today is Crystal MacGregor, whose mission is to help change the world by inspiring healthy minds and nourishing bodies. Crystal is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Food Island Partnership, which shares the passion for Canada’s Food Island and all the food stories that start on PEI.
Canada’s Food Island shares food stories, recipes, and farmer spotlights. Crystal is based in PEI and travels worldwide to educate people about PEI’s seafood. In addition to her decades of experience in the marketing industry, Crystal is also a Registered Dietitian, Recipe Developer, and Wellness Trainer.
You can learn more about Canada's Food Island here.
You can find recipes and all the ways to work with Crystal on her website
Follow along on Instagram @cmacgregor @canadasfoodisland @pei_socialshell
Subject Matters Ep 10 : Sarah Pierre
Today's guest is Sarah Pierre, owner of 3 Parks Wine Shop based in Atlanta, GA.
3 Parks was just named Wine Enthusiast's Retailer of the Year, and for good reason. Sarah Pierre has created a beautiful community, and has ran a successful business for over a decade, expanding into her second retail location last year. In this conversation, we discuss some of the lifestyle practices Sarah uses to stay present, build a successful business, and maintain fulfilling relationships. Hospitality is the key of Sarah's business model and hopes to remove the pretention from finding the perfect bottle.
I'm very excited to introduce you to Sarah, you can find her on Instagram @3parkswine and @sarahpierre1
Subject Matters Ep 9 : Reshma Mahadka
On this episode of Subject Matters, I am sitting down with the Co-Founder of Sakhar Jams, Reshma Mahadkar. Sakhar is a jam company based in Columbia, SC sourcing from South Carolina fruits. Resh created this company with her best friend Jessica Henry, and runs a 2-woman show producing jam for multiple wholesalers, restaurants, and retailers across the Southeast.
In this conversation, we discuss some of the steps to build an intentional business with mindful sourcing, scaling with intentionality, and how to maintain a healthy business alongside your best friend.
You can find Sakhar Jams in many retailers across the Southeast, and learn more about them here.
Follow them on Instagram at @sakhar_jams to see their farm adventures, berry picking, and jamming processes!
Subject Matters Ep 8 : Teresa Roche
Teresa Roche is someone that I’ve been a fan of for years. Teresa is the owner of Art & Light Gallery in Greenville, SC but she is also a painter herself. I discovered Teresa through her representation with The Miller Gallery in Charleston many years ago. It’s privilege to share sit down and capture a little bit of her light in a bottle. Teresa continuously leads by example, and having her as a guest on Subject Matters is an absolute honor. Listen below to learn more about how her career came to be and all the tools she’s learned along the way.
You can find Teresa’s work, textiles, wallpaper, and gallery updates at https://teresarocheart.com
Subject Matters Ep 7 : Skye Estroff
On this episode of Subject Matters, we're chatting with TV Host and Marketing + Social Media Specialist Skye Estroff. Skye and I have many parallels within the food space and here we’ll discuss some of our past times, and the consistent steps Skye took to create, produce, and sell her TV show - Foodie Road Trip. Additionally, we’ll chat about how she started her podcast - Skye’s The Limit, and how she is maintaining her own business into its 5th year!
"I started my company to help connect people through food. I have always been a food enthusiast- I began experimenting in the kitchen starting at age 3, won awards for my food photos in high school, and majored in Dietetics in college. I attended the University of Georgia for my bachelor’s degree (Go Dawgs!), then took root in Atlanta after graduation." Skye Estroff
Follow along @skye.estroff
Skye's the Limit Podcast x Kate Blohm - Listen here
Nini on Bobby Flay - https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sweet-potato-souffle-recipe-1937365
Subject Matters Ep 6 : Malorie Burden
Malorie Burden is a certified Life Coach, Product Developer, host of the podcast Pep Talks with Mal, and the creator of Bad Luck Burden. "I'm literally just some chick that is trying their best. To love myself, find balance in life, and be proud of what I'm contributing to the world."
In today's episode, we discuss life coaching, astrology, and all the different practices for getting to know yourself more to live an intentional life.
As Mal would say - “Let's get it, honey”
Malorie’s website - Sign up for Mal’s Cosmic Coaching
Find her on Instagram @badluckburden
Subject Matters Ep 5 : Julia Deckman
Julia Deckman is a contemporary visual artist who paints with a focus on color. She graduated from The College of Charleston in 2007 with a BS in Humanities in Social Sciences and a deep love for the Holy City. In 2012 she decided to move back to the Lowcountry and pursue her art career.
Since making art a priority, Julia has found contemporary gallery representation and has participated in several group and solo exhibitions. Deckman served on the board of Redux Art Center, curated and produced exhibitions for emerging artists, and has been the recipient of several artist grants for exhibition projects. Her “Color Choreography” compositions are deliberate studies of the subtle and dynamic relationships between color, form, proportion, and texture.
Accolades
Deckman was named the 2019 Lowcountry Artist of the Year and has since exhibited in several solo and group exhibitions in the Southeast. Her work has been featured in Luxe Interiors + Design, House & Garden UK, and Charleston Home & Design.
Any links you’d like to promote
www.juliadeckmanstudio.com
www.biosite/juliadeckmanstudio
Julia’s Pecha Kucha talk: https://youtu.be/Su_9FroiJUA?si=arHU5DeoKLlKjEP9
My Creative Mornings talk (begins at minute 10:30): https://creativemornings.com/talks/julia-deckman
How can people support you best?
The best way to support me and my practice is by subscribing to my newsletter and sharing my website and social media with others. Word of mouth is a powerful and authentic tool. I am also actively seeking art licensing opportunities, please email me if you are interested in a potential partnership or collaboration!
Subject Matters : Ep 4 with Rachael Nerney - Finding the Joy in Everyday Life
I'm very excited to introduce you to Rachael Nerney; possibly the person I've photographed the most, besides my family. At this point, she is family. Rachael and I met at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2009. Little did we know, that our friendship would bring us back together over a decade later, creating art by the ocean. I hope you enjoy this dive into the logistics of living as a full-time creative, and the pros and cons of being a Fine Art painter.
" I want to celebrate every day life. There is magic to be found in all these little moments, whether it’s sharing a coffee with a friend or dinner with your loved ones. Those are the small moments I try to capture in my paintings, and I think that that something to be celebrated around the world. I hope that through the visual imagery, I can bring joy to peoples lives." -Rachael Nerney
Rachael Nerney is a visual artist who loves and admires the small details in life. From sliced citrus destined for cocktails to fresh herbs from the garden, Rachael captures the fleeting moments and memories we share with food through vibrant color, light and pattern. Her goal is to spread joy to communities with her whimsical illustrations.
- The Miller Gallery
Website : Rachael Nerney Art - Sign up for her newsletter!
Instagram : @rachaelnerney
Subject Matters : Ep 3 with Mary-Chelsea Banister
Welcome to the show Mary-Chelsea Banister. MC graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Business Management, focused specifically on Supply Chain, and a minor in Fashion Merchandising. Technically her career started when she was 16, with her first job at a Gap store. After earning her degree from UGA, Mary-Chelsea moved to Atlanta where she worked for Carter’s (the baby apparel company) as a Senior Analyst. She spent quite a few years transitioning roles across departments and determined to be a sponge to soak up as much industry knowledge as possible. Her path consisted of operations, retail buying / planning / allocations, to omnichannel (a super innovative team that spearheaded a lot of new company projects).
After a few personal life challenges, MC made a change from the Fortune 1K path and pursued a role with a smaller but growing company in Charleston, SC.
Here we will discuss all of the different challenges life threw at her, and how she pivoted and re-evaluated her life through the lens of her morals and values.
Any links you’d like to promote?
" No links. Just would love to encourage others to network, find a mentor(s), and trust your gut when it comes to risk-taking. I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of this!" - Mary-Chelsea Banister
TEMPLATES :
Worksheet template #1 : Power of Purpose < click to download
A sense of life purpose promotes physical, mental, and spiritual health. Purpose is fundamental.
Worksheet template #2 : Personal Values < click to download
Whether you realize it or not, every time you make a choice about doing one thing as opposed to another, you make a value decision. When you have a decision that involves two or more conflicting values that are of major importance to you, the decision can be extremely difficult to make (e.g., career values may conflict with family and friendship values). You can, however, make these decisions more effectively if you have some idea of what your most important values are and the priority that you give to each.
The following exercise will help you to understand what personal values are, which personal values are important to you, and what priorities you give to them. In reality, your values are expressed through your actions. If you can bring your actions more into harmony with your values, you will feel more in control of your life and more satisfied with the decisions you make.
Subject Matters : Ep 2 with Mary Alice Cain
Mary Alice Cain focuses on promoting well-balanced, wholesome meals. She has a background in communications within the food industry and received her Master’s degree in Health Science with a focus in Nutrition at Atlanta’s Georgia State University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from The University of Alabama where she completed the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.
While attending Georgia State, Mary Alice participated in an assistantship with After-School All-Stars where she taught nutrition and cooking to students in the Atlanta area. This program inspired her to research Dollar General stores and their role in underserved communities. From there, Mary Alice developed a cookbook of recipes made exclusively with ingredients from Dollar General stores. After sharing her project with Dollar General executives, she then began to provide counsel through the corporation’s Better For You program and has been featured in numerous publications as well as on Good Morning America. Mary Alice began work with the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council in 2018 as a liaison with the American Egg Board and USAPEEC international offices to conduct marketing projects for U.S. poultry and eggs worldwide.
She joined the PeachDish team in February 2015 as a Registered Dietitian & Communications Specialist. There she worked closely with the meal kit delivery service’s partner chefs, analyzing nutrition content and providing counsel during menu development. Before PeachDish, Mary Alice served as Marketing Team Leader for Whole Foods Market in Marietta, Georgia. She also spent time working with Whole Foods Market as their Cooking Coach, a pilot program with an emphasis on making home cooking healthy, simple and approachable. During her undergraduate studies, Mary Alice interned with the International Food Information Council in Washington, D.C., where she analyzed consumer trends in nutrition and wrote for their blog, foodinsight.org.
A coastal gal originally from Mobile, AL, Mary Alice spends her free time cooking and exploring the food scene of her adopted city of Atlanta with her husband and daughter.
Accolades
The University of Alabama Jack Davis Professional Achievement Alumni Award, 2023
Georgia State University “Outstanding Graduate Student,” Department of Nutrition, 2018
Inducted into Les Dames d’Escoffier International, Atlanta Chapter, 2023
www.maryalicecain.com
INTRODUCING : Subject Matters, the podcast
Happy International Women’s Month!
I’m excited to announce my new podcast; Subject Matters. This is a podcast that will coincide with photography and visual storytelling for brands and creatives that I’ve had the privilege of working with. Here, I will host discussions taking a peek behind the curtain with entrepreneurs, change makers, and trailblazers. There will be a variety of topics, but most will revolve around food.
PODCAST WILL LAUNCH MARCH 8, 2024
My first guest is Lauren Cox. Lauren is a “retired” farmer who now is the Director of Farmer Services for Georgia Organics. We discuss her love of food, her journey of traveling internationally to receive her Masters from Slow Food University, and how our friendship has unfolded throughout this work.
Shot in Chattahoochee Queen’s flower garden - this also means, Lauren was the photographer for my cover photo <3
Here is some of the work that we did together with a variety of chefs and farmers in the Atlanta area.
Thank you for your support!
Podcasting with one of my favorite people, Malorie Burden
”Today we’re joined by my dear friend and Charleston-based photographer, Kate Blohm! She’s been an inspiration to me since I met her at art school in 2009, and more recently I've wanted to pick her brain on becoming a full-time Creative (i.e. her childhood dream!). We chat about taking initiative with your passions, leading with curiosity, and being a part of an engaged and inspired community along the way. I know you’re going to leave this episode feeling motivated to take intentional action towards your own dreams!”
- Malorie Burden, Bad Luck Burden
I had so much fun getting to sit down and podcast with one of my favorite people, Malorie Burden ✨ She has always embodied what it means to be so authentically yourself, 1/1, an original. I’m honored to have been a guest on her podcast, and to have a moment in time preserved with her. This is the first piece of long-form content that I have put out into the world, and while it’s easy to overly critique oneself, I’m proud of a lot of points that we touched on. Mal has a talent of carrying a conversation through, and always keeps me comfortable and laughing.
We discuss the process of going from college to owning Kate Blohm Photography- and sustaining it for the past four years. And then of course, all of my plans on the horizon which may or may not include, living aboard boats, acquiring my captain’s license, and traveling across the world to work on boats with strangers.
Before recording this podcast, Mal and I did a shoot for her business Bad Luck Burden. Here are some previews of her, and of course Pepper.
Kate Blohm Photography for Bad Luck Burden, 2023
It’s a journey, and a privilege to share this conversation with you. Love you Mal!
Connect with and learn more about Kate:
Website: https://kateblohm.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateblohm/
About Kate: https://kateblohm.com/about
Say Hello!: hi@kateblohm.com
Find more about Pep Talks with Mal:
For more good vibes check out my website at https://www.badluckburden.com
Find me on Instagram + Pinterest: @badluckburden
Schedule a coaching session: https://www.badluckburden.com/bookasession
The essential tools for shooting a cookbook
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of shooting my first cookbook, Southern Sugar by Belinda Smith-Sullivan, with Gibbs Smith publishing house. It was an incredible experience, with 50 different recipes ranging from cakes to cookies to ice cream to candies. The project took a month in total when you include all of the preparations. It was my biggest project yet. I was the Food Stylist, Prop Stylist and Photographer.
Thanks to Belinda Smith-Sullivan, the chef who created these recipes, each one was easy to execute and made for a really incredible Superbowl spread.
Efficiency is key when there’s that many moving parts. If I had something baking in the oven, I’d want a custard setting in the fridge and an ice cream finishing in the churner. Thanks to my assistant Brian Reese (or as the Charleston wine and food scene knows him - Breezy), I was able to keep things moving, and shoot while things were being prepped or cooked.
All of this being said, here are my top tips for shooting (and baking) a cookbook
Good props and / or Prop Stylist
Props make such a difference when creating a setting. In addition, collaborating with another creative always elevates the final product, so if it’s in the budget, hire one! If you’ve never met them before, buy them a coffee and see what your dynamic is like. Even if the bid falls through, you’ve still created a new relationship
Build your personal inventory of props
Shop when you travel. Small dishes, silverware and linens are easy to pack
Thrift for props. You’ll find basic, and unique pieces. Make sure to look in the curtain section for tablecloths
Backdrops / Surfaces
Having a variety of backgrounds will keep the photo story interesting without having to have multiple locations
I enjoy using tile samples, linen napkins, fabrics, decorative paper, wrinkled parchment paper etc. Get creative! There’s so many fun ways to add textural elements that help create a sense of space
Good tools in the kitchen
Make sure you read through each recipe and see what tools you need, equipment, etc. Some things are easy to DIY (ex. dry beans instead of pie weights) but there’s some things that just can’t be replaced (ex. a tart tamper)
Good equipment : a sharp knife, a good mixer, lots of mise en place bowls, and a lot of room in the fridge
Southern Sugar Cookbook | Photos by Kate Blohm
“With 100 satisfying recipes, the cookbook is divided up into chapters that focus on cakes, pound cakes, cheesecakes, pies, ice creams, candies, cookies and brownies, and cocktails and mocktails.”
It was such a fun experience bringing this book to life. Southern Sugar is now available for pre-order here, and will release on September 14, 2021.
Happy baking!
Food Videography 101 with Kate Blohm
Hi friends,
I’m really excited to announce the launch of my first course : Food Videography 101. The first time this was presented was for the Creative Community of Pinterest, followed by a live Q+A. It was an amazing experience and a huge honor to be invited by Pinterest, and receive such positive feedback. Now, I’m excited to be able to offer it to you!
In this training I reveal my most efficient tips for creating food content on a budget, and on your phone. You will learn the basics of
Lighting & Equipment : I'll show you exactly what I have in my camera bag at all times, from lens to lighting and everything in between. We'll create an overhead rig for top-down videos, and I'll show you how to mount your cell phone for shooting beautifully lit videos with your phone, We'll cover all of the basics
Food & Prop Styling : Setting the scene is one of my favorite things to do. I will show you quick ways to diversify one space in order to feel like a multiple locations. Additionally, I will show you all of the food styling must haves for creating consistently clean work
Shooting & Composition : I will be doing a live demo, walking you through each decision that I make, creative and technical
This course is easy to digest, loaded with ways to take your food content to the next level in 30 minutes.
Attending a Food Styling workshop can cost as much as $1600 plus travel. This course you'll be able to finish in an afternoon. The total cost is $34.99 and you will receive immediate access.
Feel free to email support@kateblohm.com with any questions!
As always, thank you for reading!
Lots of love,
Kate