Global FAQs: Pretty Focused’s Food Photography School

Have you considered joining our Pretty Focused food photography school, but you don't live in the United States and are unsure if it is right for you? Do not worry; you are not alone. We are here to help you make the best decision for your life and career.

We recently wrote a blog with the most frequently asked questions about Pretty Focused, but we realized we did not answer all of the questions we get from our global community. So, if you live outside the U.S. and are interested in Pretty Focused, this FAQ is for you!

Are there Pretty Focused graduates and students who are not in the U.S.?

Yes! We have students and graduates across four continents and 14 countries, and we are constantly growing! Here is a quick map of where some of our students are from.

Can I work for US bloggers if I'm not in the US?

Yes, food bloggers do not mind if you are outside the U.S. As long as you have a reliable internet connection for communication and uploading your photos and recipes, you can work from anywhere! That is the great part of working in such a flexible career field. Once you graduate from food photography school, you can use your skills anywhere in the world.

And remember, there are food bloggers across the globe, too. There are probably many incredible food bloggers near your home that could use your photography expertise. You might just have to do some groundwork to build those relationships, but Pretty Focused can help with that, too.

What will be my biggest challenges working with U.S. bloggers?

If you are not from the U.S., but your clients are, you will face some unique challenges. They can be simple to overcome, but we want you to know what you are getting into.

• American Ingredients: If you are trying to make a specific recipe, there may be some ingredients you cannot find or source locally. In this case, you might need to find a similar alternative or order the ingredient online, which can increase cost and require more time.

• American Words: You might be surprised to discover that there are many ingredients in the U.S. that use a different name than the rest of the world, even in other English-speaking countries. For example, we call an aubergine an eggplant, coriander is cilantro, and a courgetti is a zucchini. There are also differences in chips/crisps/fries, cookies/biscuits/scones, pudding/cake/trifle, etc.

• Imperial Measurements: The U.S. is one of the few countries that uses imperial measurements in cooking. This means we use cups instead of grams, ounces instead of milliliters, and Fahrenheit instead of Celsius.

• Understanding American Cuisine: American cuisine can also be unique in its cooking styles, taste profile, plating, and more. It can also vary based on where the dish is from in the U.S. For example, a dish from the southern part of the U.S. may have different requirements than one from the Midwest or Northeast.

You might need to spend time talking to the blogger about what exactly all the recipe requirements are before you get started. You will also want to use Google and a VPN to find examples of each dish to ensure you are on the correct track.

• Access to Gear: Depending on where you live, you might have difficulties finding appropriate gear including cameras, dishes, and décor. This can be especially true if a highly specific product is needed and it is only available in the U.S. You might have to get creative when it comes to sourcing what you need.

• Language Barrier: If English is not your first language, then communicating with an American blogger may be a struggle. And even if English is your first language, or you are completely fluent, American spelling can be different (color vs colour; recognize vs recognise; meter vs metre). We recommend investing in solid translation software and sharing your language barriers at the beginning to avoid confusion.

• American Aesthetic: There may be some differences in the aesthetic preferences of American bloggers and home cooks compared to your home. The good news is that you will learn the American aesthetic throughout the Pretty Focused course material, so as long as you follow the guidelines we provide, you will be okay.

In the end, if you are a global student in our food photography school, we highly recommend getting very comfortable looking things up on Google whenever you have questions. If possible, purchase a VPN software so you can search the internet as if you live in the U.S. It will help you get the most accurate results possible when working with American bloggers.

Do you offer your food photography school content in another language?

Yes, we are so happy to say that we have language-learning options for students who do not speak English as their first language. Our content is presented in English, but we offer subtitles for our lessons in French, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, and German!

Is there additional help available for global students?

As a Pretty Focused student, you are never stuck figuring things out alone. That is because we are dedicated to community and helping each other. As you learn the curriculum, you will have access to coaches and fellow students who can help you with concepts you do not understand. In addition, by going through the Pretty Focused curriculum, you will gain exposure to American culture, cooking, aesthetics, etc.

How do I sign up for Pretty Focused if I am not in the U.S.?

It is simple. Head to our Enrollment page and sign up. That is it! We accept MasterCard and Visa, as well as PayPal and Klarna. Then, once you sign up, as long as you have a device with internet access, you can go through the entire Pretty Focused curriculum at your own pace.

Take your career to the next level with Pretty Focused!

No matter where you live around the world, no matter how much or little experience you have, Pretty Focused can help you start building your new food photography business. Get started with our Free Training and see what you think. Then, reach out with your questions or sign up to get started.

There is no better time than now for food photography school. So, what are you waiting for?