How To Shoot Food Photography On Location + Tips From Professional Food Photographers
When photographing on location, there are four main aspects to consider, including:
Capturing the atmosphere
Styling with props that link to food & environment
Taking angled photos
Using location lighting
These four points are essential for creating professional-looking images, whether you’re a food brand, restaurant, or café looking to enhance your online presence with stunning visuals.
Capturing the Atmosphere
When in any location, the atmosphere and environment are critical to any picture you take. This type of photography is called lifestyle photography, as you take images to show life and tell a story about where you are. If you are promoting your restaurant, café, or food business, using professional restaurant photography helps convey the vibe, inviting potential customers to experience it firsthand.
Styling With Props That Link to Food & Environment
Whenever you shoot at a location, it’s best to use props from the café or restaurant. Look around to see what can be used in the background or props that represent the brand.
There’s no single right or wrong way to style food, but professional food photographers in Northamptonshire recommend paying attention to composition and depth of field. Play with aperture, shoot close-ups of dishes, and use the grid on your camera’s live view for precise composition, following rules like the rule of thirds or golden triangle. This applies equally to product photography for restaurants, where every dish should be presented as appealingly as possible.
Taking a Variety of Angles
Camera position is key. Shooting from a low angle can make a drink or burger appear larger and more enticing. The main angles to consider are from the side or above. Side shots highlight layers and textures, while overhead (flat-lay) shots are perfect for showcasing the variety of dishes or drinks on offer.
The main two angles to play with are shooting from the side or above. This is to show the range of food and drinks provided, so consider which makes the dishes or drinks more advertising or appealing.
Using Location Lighting
Natural light is the most crucial tool for café and restaurant shoots. Shoot near windows in the early morning or late afternoon for soft, flattering light. You can also incorporate ambient lighting for evening shoots, playing with Bokeh or using diffused studio/strobe lights to enhance your main subject.
Lighting direction can guide the viewer’s eye to a focal point. Use side lighting, backlighting, or a combination, and bounce light with a reflector to fill shadows where needed. This attention to lighting is a hallmark of professional restaurant photography and ensures your food photography stands out.
All three diagrams show a reflector and a studio light. These options can be used with natural window lighting. The backlighting option can be used with Bokeh background lighting, see this example, and a front light to ensure the dish or drink is lit.
Final Tips
Before starting any on-location shoot:
Plan ahead for lighting and styling
Prepare props and backdrops
Determine angles and composition in advance
By combining these techniques, your on-location shoot will capture not just food, but the story and atmosphere of the restaurant or café. Whether you need product photography for restaurants or professional marketing content, these strategies elevate your visual storytelling.
After reading my thoughts, processes and points, I hope this has given you insight into a photographer’s mind when shooting on location.
I’ll end this with one last tip - Before beginning your shoot at any set location, make sure to plan ahead for lighting & styling.
Chatting Food Contributor: Sam Peel
Published - 7th April 2021
Follow the link to the site: https://www.chattingfood.com/post/how-to-shoot-food-photography-on-location
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
