8 Simple Ways To Improve Your Food Photography Today
Written by nutrition student Safura Husainy. Edited by Dietitian & Snapstudio55 founder Elis Halenko.
The Power of Food Photography.
The reason why food photography is so unique is because it tells a story based on the kind of backdrops, lighting, dishes, and props the creator uses. By selecting the kind of details you want to include in your photo, your content will eventually build your identity so that your brand can stand out! It is also important that your photography triggers emotions so that your viewers will either want to try out your recipes, book a consultation with you, or convince stakeholders wanting to collaborate with you.
I am sure we have all seen the endless amounts of mouth-watering food images in either blogs or on Instagram, and cannot help but wonder how to get our pictures to give the same result and effect! It is one thing to create images of food, and another to make those images look mouth-watering and strike emotion in your viewers.
Okay.. but why does food photography seem so difficult?
Food photography can be frustrating at times, especially because it requires way more skills than just being technical with a camera. This is because there are a variety of factors that influence how your food will look. For example, food cools quickly so you cannot capture the beautiful steam that oozes out of your delicious pasta or curry unless you have some experience and plan to act quick. Also, as a new food photographer shooting at home, you have to adopt all the positions of a food photography agency, such as being the stylist, creative director, and brand ambassador. The latter can be a little overwhelming, but do not worry, you can do this! Below I will mention simple tips that you can implement to enhance your pictures and create your story and brand.
Tips
1- Find a focus.
Most cameras are made to detect faces or objects very well, but determining a focal point in your food can be challenging if your food looks quite plain and doesn’t have much texture or color. For example, a plain bowl of oatmeal with no toppings will not make a very interesting photo, so be mindful of the kind of food you are photographing.
2- Keep a consistent style to engage the viewer for longer.
Your food blog represents you because you’re a brand. This is why food bloggers should have consistency in mood, style, editing and lighting. Just like you need to have consistency with your recipes and what you’re creating, so should your images. One of the best ways to do that is to create a ‘go-to’ photography setup, that consists of finding one or two directions of light that work best for your subject and a spot in your home that works well to shoot in.
3- Make your photographs tell a story.
How you style the food and your images will strengthen your food story so that your viewers can connect with your content. You can do this with your photography by shooting the progression of your dish. For example, start off by visually telling the viewer where the ingredients were sourced from, then how they were prepared, showing the different stages of the cooking process. This helps the viewer build a story, connect with your content, and may even take them back to when they were a child watching their mother make their favorite meals. Once the reader can connect to your food story, they are more likely to come back and view your other recipes and content.
You could use our signature EMOTE method! Learn more by checking out our food photography course here.
4- Think about color.
Because food photography is often limited to a single place setting or a single table, you may overwhelm the viewer by including lots of bright colors. Try to minimize distracting colors in the tablecloth or place setting. A white plate often provides more impact than a colorful one, as it allows the food to truly take center stage. As you shoot, pay careful attention to the white balance. Food photography is most appetizing when the colors look natural and accurate.
5- How to Color Correct Your Food Images.
Color is so important in food photography, it draws attention to the food and connects the viewer to the content. So, for photographs for your food blog, we want to make sure the colors in our images are as true to life as possible. The easiest way to do this is to make sure your white balance is spot on. So if the colors are too warm and you're getting an orange or yellow color cast, you can adjust your camera to cool the colors down a bit.
A good food photographer will also have an understanding of color theory because having too many colors in your scene can become a distraction from the food. In fact, if your light coloring is too cool or too warm you will have strange hues on the food that can make it look entirely unappealing.
6- Choose your angle.
Many food photographs use the overhead perspective. While the overhead angle may be trendy, it’s not the only option available. Chefs generally design plating from the diner’s perspective, so it’s a good idea to photograph the dish from an angle similar to what you would see when seated at a restaurant. Of course, you can also photograph each dish from multiple angles to see which one works best.
7- Surround your object.
An important part of successful food photography is designing the space around the food itself. A plate in the middle of an empty table is often distractingly minimalistic, and a single item in the middle of an empty plate is just as boring. Chefs often use garnishes, side dishes, sauces, and drizzles to infuse a level of artistry into their pictures!
8- Use neutral props to make the subject stand out.
Props are an important part of food photography and telling a food story. You don’t need a lot of props to take a good photo, but props help make your images more interesting. To help create a brand, a story, and a look, you can use the same props over and over on your food blog. But there is a catch. Focus on props second, after the recipe. That means making the recipe the star and using props that are neutral and not too “loud” instead. By sticking to neutral props, you peak the viewer’s interest and invite them to survey our food. This will also help your budget, as it means you won’t have to spend a fortune on buying new props every time.
This might seem like a lot of information to help you get the best food photos. However, just like anything, food photography takes hard work and lots of practice and experimentation. Never stop learning tips about ways to improve your food photography. Take pictures and don’t be afraid to try new things when it comes to the props you’re using, or switch up the lighting for a brand-new look.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope some of these tips will help inspire you to pick up the camera and snap some delicious food photos!
I’d love to hear your thoughts and see your results after trying out some of these tips! Feel free to tag me in your work on Instagram (@snapstudio55)!