How To Take Great Food Photos

As a passionate food photographer I’ve thrived on showcasing delicious food from the wonderful restaurants that we’ve dined in. Having a camera at our fingertips on our phones, the amount of photos shared on social media has been astronomical. Being one of those people who eagerly awaits their food and once its placed in front of me taking a series of pictures in different angles in order to share it with my followers with the goal of making the food look as appetizing as it was gave me a sense of fulfillment because I had a connection with that food, the restaurant and shared amazing conversations with family and friends over that dish.  

Through my journey of photographing food I decided why not take photos of dishes with my DSLR that I cook in my own kitchen. Whether it’s breakfast, a cup of warm tea, or a family favorite dip. Not only share what I find to be a personal dish but to think about the whole picture. The story I want to convey through one shot. I started taking courses and the three simplest steps that will take your photos to the next level are: the food, the props, and the lighting. 

The Food. You are in control of what you want to put out there. As an artist, put the content you want to share. If you like to cook vegan, show that. If you love to bake, photograph that. You want to create content that will connect you with your audience and they will, through your images, get a sense of the person you are. That’s the goal.

The Props.  Food styling is fun so make sure you are having fun through the process. Choose backgrounds, utensils, plating and ingredients when composing the frame. For example, with the image of the tzatziki sauce I felt keeping the background and serving platter dark but adding a pop of color with my choice of bowl of white tzatziki sauce along with a sprig of dill and a lemon wedge conveys the story of the ingredients used and the presentation that I felt that yummy sauce deserved. Don’t be afraid to be messy in an intentional way either. That gives your photo a touch of realness and not so much staged.  

The Lighting. Natural lighting is my go to. Pick a window that gives you the best soft natural light and position your table in a way where there is no harsh shadows and if this means cooking and taking photos during a time of day that isn’t always convenient… just try it out. Trust me, you will be satisfied with the final shots. 

Remember have fun every step of the way, learn, think about how you can refine yourself after each session and challenge yourself every time. You will be happy with your growth.  Happy shooting!