How to take drool-worthy food photographs and make upsells your speciality

Food photography is a great way to showcase your culinary creations, attract potential customers and encourage upsells and cross-sells. However, taking beautiful food photos can be tricky if you're not sure where to start. 

Luckily, with a few tips and tricks, you can elevate your food photography game and make your dishes look as good as they taste. So, dust off that camera and get ready to put your dishes on the catwalk, we’re going to cover some of the top tips on taking beautiful food photography.

Use natural light

Natural light is one of the most important factors when it comes to taking beautiful food photos. Ideally, you want to take photos during the day when the sun is shining bright. Find a spot near a window or take your dishes outside to take advantage of the natural light. This will help to enhance the colours and textures of the food and create a more appealing image. But be wary of too much direct sunlight, which can cause harsh shadows – overcast conditions are preferable due to the even lighting. 

Top tip: If you're struggling to get enough natural light, try using a reflector to bounce light onto the food from a different angle. This will help to eliminate any harsh shadows and create a more even and balanced image. 

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Play with angles

The angle at which you shoot your food can have a big impact on how the final photo looks. Experiment with different angles, such as shooting from above, straight on, or at a 45-degree angle. This will help you find the best angle to showcase the food in a way that looks appealing.

Top tip: When shooting from above, try to arrange the food items in a way that creates a pattern or a story. For example, if you're shooting a salad, you could arrange the ingredients in a circular pattern to create a visually appealing image.

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Use props

Props can help to add context and visual interest to your food photos while also filling negative space. For example, if you're taking photos of a dessert, you could use a vintage spoon or a colourful napkin to add a pop of colour and create a more interesting composition. Look for props that complement the colours and textures of the food, and avoid using too many props that could distract from the main focus.

Top tip: When choosing props, think about the story you want to tell with your image. For example, if you're taking photos of your outdoor seating area, you could use colourful outdoor pillows and a potted plant to create a more cohesive image.

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Focus on details

Details can make a big difference in food photography. Take the time to arrange the food in a way that looks appealing, and focus on the plating, the way the light hits the dish, and any garnishes or sauces that are used. This will help to create a more dynamic and interesting image.

Top tip: Use a shallow depth of field to create a blurred background and draw attention to the main focus of the image. This can create a more professional and polished look.

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Edit with care

Editing can help to enhance the colours and create a more cohesive image. However, it's important to edit with care and avoid over-editing. Use editing tools to adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation, and use a light hand to avoid creating an image that looks fake or over-processed.

Top tip: Use presets to speed up the editing process, but always make sure to customise the settings to suit your specific image. This will help to create a more unique and personalised image that reflects your offering and your brand.

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Get creative

Don't be afraid to experiment and get creative with your food and drink photography. There are so many different ways to showcase your brand’s culinary creations and entice customers in a way that’s unique to you and what you stand for. 

Top tip: Use different lenses, such as a wide-angle lens or a macro lens, to create different effects and add visual interest. You can also try using different backgrounds, such as a wooden table or a marble countertop, to create a more interesting composition.

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Final thought 

Taking beautiful food photos can be a lot of fun, and with a few simple tips and tricks, you can create images that look as good as they taste. Remember to use natural light, experiment with angles, use props, focus on details, and edit with care, and you'll be well on your way to creating stunning food photography. Happy shooting!