9 Essential Food Photography Tips For Beginners
As a food Photographer in Northamptonshire, I often get asked how to improve food photos, whether for restaurant photography or product photography for restaurants. Food photography is all about storytelling, making the dish look as good as it tastes.
Below, I’m sharing my top tips to help you take better food photos, whether you’re shooting in a professional kitchen, a restaurant, or at home.
Tip 1 - Shoot in proper lighting
Lighting is the most important ingredient in any great photograph. When shooting food, natural light works best, especially near a window. Experiment with sidelight for texture, a diffuser to soften shadows, and a reflector to bounce light onto your subject. These techniques are vital for both professional restaurant photography and styled food shoots.
Sidelight – the light source is next to your scene
Diffuser – placed between the light source and your subject
Reflector – is placed opposite the light source to ‘reflect’ some light back onto your subject and scene.
Tip 2 - Be organized
Every great food Photographer in Northamptonshire knows preparation is key. Plan your colours, props, and food presentation ahead of time. For product photography for restaurants, consider how each element reflects the brand’s personality, from tableware to garnish.
I plan for:
Plan the style of the pictures I want, once each picture has been taken
Consider the colours and style of the photo.
Props I need for the photo shoot, including a backdrop, table settings, napkins, silverware
Glasses or drinks to accompany the dish
Consider extra food scraps around the dish
Essentially, I get the whole scene set up before shooting.
Tip 3 - Tell a story
A really effective marketing strategy is to tell a story through a selection of visuals. This can be captured in stills or video footage. Photography can tell a story with one image, but this process is more effective with multiple images.
Here are some examples of documenting the banana bread making process, which can be used via website details, magazine articles, and social media posts.
Tip 4 - Garnish!
A touch of garnish can transform an image. Fresh herbs, sauces, and toppings add vibrancy and make your dish look freshly served.
Tip 5 - Be inspired
Follow other photographers, study light, and experiment with angles. Inspiration fuels creativity, an essential trait for every food photographer.
Tip 6 - Invest in some backdrops
Portable backdrops are great tools for product photography for restaurants, especially if the restaurant’s décor doesn’t match the food’s aesthetic.
Tip 7 - If you’re using a DSLR, learn the manual!!
Understanding your camera’s manual settings gives you full control of light, depth, and texture, key elements in professional food imagery.
Tip 8 - Invest in a good lens!
Most cameras are sold with a kit lens. which is helpful, but shooting food is better with a 50ml lens. If you wish to buy a 50ml lens, you can purchase a 1.4 or a 1.8 lens.
Tip 9 - Composition - triangles & colours
Composition helps guide the viewer’s eye. Using triangles and complementary colours creates balance and makes dishes pop, a must in high-quality restaurant photography
After applying these nine essential tips, you’ll start noticing a big improvement in your food photography. As a food Photographer Northamptonshire, I love helping chefs, restaurants, and brands bring their food stories to life through beautifully styled, mouthwatering visuals.
Chatting Food Contributor: Sam Peel
Published - Dec 10, 2020
Follow the link to the site: https://www.chattingfood.com/post/9-food-photography-tips-for-beginners
What’s Next?
Enjoyed this post? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts!
Subscribe for More: Get monthly tips, tricks, and inspiration to elevate your photography skills.
Take Your Skills Further: Level up with one-to-one personalized tutorials and transform your food photography.
Book a Professional Session
Need professional imagery for your brand?
Collaborate with a specialist in restaurant photography, food photography in Northamptonshire, or product photography for restaurants to create stunning visuals
