our state | behind the lens

What a honor to be included in the Our State’s feature on Randolph Community College photography graduates in the January issue.  It certainly has been a wild ride since I graduated in 2003.  I can hardly believe it has been thirteen years!  I have had so many wonderful experiences, worked with so many talented people and have shot everything from 5 star hotels to farms, famous authors and ordinary folks, TV stars and fascinating characters.  I truly love my job and am thankful to Our State’s wonderful crew for giving me so many opportunities to see North Carolina through the eyes of it’s people, food and landscape.

We have so many RCC interns over the last decade and this semester we had the pleasure of having Caroline Boone.  She photographed me for the opener to this story.  To be truthful, it always feels sort of funny to be on the other side of the camera but Carol made it fun.

spotlight | aPhotoEditor

WHOA! We are super excited that Rob Haggart from A Photo Editor took some interest in our Windswept photo promo!

Stacey’s Windswept Promo was sent out nearly one month ago but it looks like it finally made it to a few people we were waiting to hear from. Rob posted these images of Stacey’s  promo on Instagram.  What an awesome thing to see, since after all, promos are a lot of time and work! We love it!

Cheers,

Natalie

our state | december cover

The Holidays are almost here already and this month’s December issue of Our State Magazine includes Stacey’s image as the cover! Not only did Stacey get the chance to shoot these beautiful and unique vintage ornaments but she also had the opportunity to photograph some pretty delicious coconut cake as well!

For an interesting tale about the Ornament King of Gastonia and to get a wonderful recipe for Coconut Cake, grab the December Issue of Our State Magazine!

Cheers!
Natalie

deep run roots | food truck tour comes to greensboro

Vivian Howard has been on the move with her crew promoting her new cookbook since the beginning of October and finally made her way to us in Greensboro, NC! Here at SVB Photo, Stacey and Caroline (our newest intern) had the opportunity to host a very special lunch for them in celebration of her cookbook “Deep Run Roots“.

The idea of cooking for a renowned chef was quite intimidating to say the least, but after much planning we finally came up with a flavorful Colombian inspired meal. The meal included a variety of dishes from main course to dessert: Peruvian Pollo a la Brasas, Patatas Bravas, a Fresh Avocado salad with a Cilantro Vinaigrette, and Sea Salt Dulce de Leche Custards. We were very excited to host this lunch and so we wanted to capture the moments along with it. Afterwards, Stacey and Caroline were invited to enjoy the evening with some of the cast & crew, continuing to take pictures along the way. It was a perfect evening for the event and we are so fortunate to have been a part of it!

We hope you enjoy the images from our eventful evening!

Caroline & Natalie

{Photos by Caroline Boone + Natalie Schnur}

fsr magazine | vivian howard

We always love a phone call for a job to photograph one of our favorite chefs – the wonderfully charming and talented Vivian Howard.  So we were thrilled to photograph her for FSR’s November issue recently. She is coming to Greensboro tomorrow with her food truck promotion tour for Deep Run Roots, and we are in full swing here at SVB Photo preparing a lunch for their crew!  Stay tuned for more fun behind the scenes photos tomorrow...

spotlight | rangefinder magazine

Windswept has been such a fun and exciting promo to work on here at SVB Photo and we are even more thrilled that RangFinder Magazine featured it on their website! Since this was a special project for us, we love to see the exposure that comes from all the hard work.

Thanks to everyone for all of the positive feedback and if you get the chance, head on over to check it out at RangeFinder!

Cheers!
Natalie & Carol

a chef’s life | season 4 dvd release

We are thrilled to have the cover photo for A Chef’s LifeSeason 4 DVD!  And we had a great time attending the Season 4 Premiere Party in Kannapolis, NC. Vivian, food, all the people from the show, a private screening of the first episode at the beautiful Gem Theatre, followed by a little concert by Scott Avett of the Avett Brothers and dinner – what’s not to love?!

Photography :  Stacey Van Berkel
Styling : Elie Rossetti-Serriano
Production : Catherine Schramm

windswept | the book + behind the scenes

Even when I was a young child, I would come up with wild and crazy creative ideas.  When I said, “I have an idea”, my father often shook his head and said “uh oh . . . ”  But when I explained to him my ideas for windswept and that I needed to scout around Cape Breton, he immediately volunteered to come along with me.  Our agreement was that I could say to stop anywhere and we might explore every road, nook and cranny.  So off we went, Simon my vizsla, Dad and I, to rummage around the beauty of Cape Breton.  It tuned out to be a very long but wonderful day.  We drove down forgotten roads, hiked trails to the sea and discovered so many new places.  It turned out to be a very special Father/Daughter day and one I will treasure always.

And then the windswept team arrived,  from Nova Scotia, Ontario, and North Carolina.  We welcomed everyone with a Nova Scotia lobster dinner in my parent’s yard complete with coleslaw and potato salad.  My Mum was especially thrilled to have Fred visiting since she is a big fan.  After dinner we tumbled into my parent’s house with all of our stuff : wardrobe, props, equipment, makeup & hair implements.  It was an explosion of pretty things and activity as we took over the whole house to prepare for our shoot.  My Mum and Dad are very patient and gracious to let me follow through on yet another crazy idea.

After a good night’s sleep our windswept adventure began : 4 days, hundreds of kilometres, early mornings and late evenings, curious locals and lots of laughs. I want to sincerely thank the whole team for all of their hard work, patience and enthusiasm for this project.

I hope you enjoy escaping with me to my beautiful windblown Nova Scotia . . .

To see more windswept check these out!
windswept : seafoam + tweed
windswept : crimson + skyline
windswept : green cove + ingonish

a unique cup of joe | cocoa + cinnamon

Located in Durham, North Carolina there is a delightful little cafe by the name of Cocoa & Cinnamon. Stacey recently had the opportunity to shoot this adorable shop and to show some of the unique qualities that it holds. Cocoa & Cinnamon not only offers a great cup of joe but has lots of teas, chocolates and many spices as well! We love the atmosphere of this fun local shop! If you are ever in the Durham area, you should give them a try, you wont regret it!

Cheers,
Natalie

garden & gun | asheville on tap

I am very lucky to live pretty close to Asheville, North Carolina – the rising beer capital of America . . .   We loved getting this assignment from Garden & Gun magazine.  I mean who doesn’t love touring breweries & restaurants and staying in nice hotels?  I was really impressed with the young brewmasters and their enthusiasm for their craft.  And even though I am gluten-intolerant, I admit I had a few sips of some beers they worked so hard on!

We’ve included photos from the Wicked Weed, the Wedge, and Highland Breweries but these are only a few of the 40 + craft breweries located in Asheville!

We stayed at the Grand Bohemian, a beautiful hotel with the rustic feeling of a European hunting lodge mixed with old world elegance.  The have an excellent restaurant, a gallery & spa and have been named one of the best hotels by Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler!