The Amazing Possibilities of Photographing Food
Food photography is hot right now… and that is good for photographers.
I love food photography.
Over the years, I have shot everything from food and lifestyle to cuisine for a high-end appliance manufacturer.
Every shoot is a challenge and a learning experience.
Especially on an 8x10 Deardorff with base tilts. IYKYK.
Food photography is a huge opportunity for photographers, Not only as a genre for professional shooters to deliver, but also for anyone who loves photography and making images.
When most people think of food photography, they imagine beautiful, glossy images of perfectly plated dishes—maybe something you’d find in a high-end restaurant’s magazine ad or Instagram feed. But food photography is so much more than that.
It’s a blend of art, science, and a sprinkle of good ol’ problem-solving. If you’re a general photographer considering expanding your repertoire, let me give you a nudge — okay, maybe a gentle push — toward the delicious and awe-inspiring world of photographing food.
Why Food Photography?
There’s something incredibly satisfying about capturing the vibrant colors of a fresh salad, the shine on a perfectly glazed donut, or even the steam rising from a hot bowl of soup.
Creating an image that can make someone feel hungry just by looking at it is both fun and artful.
And for you pros, the best part is: the market for food photography is massive and diverse. From small cafes and local bakeries to big brands and national grocery chains, there are endless opportunities for a creative photographer who knows how to make food look irresistible.
And don’t forget the health and nutrition industry, insurance, and pharmaceutical companies all using food photography to sell everything from diets to health plans.
A Totally Creative Playground
Food photography is actually like playing with your food — except this time, you get paid for it!
Instead of having Gramma slap your hand, it’s a genre that allows you to explore textures, colors, lighting, and composition in ways that may be different from the other types of photography you may already be doing.
Here’s what makes it fun? You can be as experimental as you want.
- Textures: Think about the crunch of a freshly baked croissant, the creaminess of mashed potatoes, or the glossy surface of chocolate syrup dripping down the side of a sundae. Every texture brings a new opportunity to play with light and shadow. Creating a masterpiece dessert pic, or a wall-ready poster of Brussels Sprouts drenched in glorious light seems almost too good to be true.
- Colors: Food has this magical ability to pop on camera. A bright red strawberry on a white plate or a golden-brown crust of a pie — color contrast can make a shot sing. Color is part of food at its core. As much as I love black-and-white photography, food is not the best subject. But you are welcome to prove me wrong. Heck, I’d love to see it.
- Lighting: It’s the super-secret sauce of food photography. Whether it’s the soft, diffused light that gives a delicate salad that fresh, airy look or a moody, dramatic setup for a steak, how you light your food changes everything. When you add a kicker, or some light reflected from a mirror or a tiny piece of foil to just add that little somethin’-somethin’ on the top… wow.
Food photography lets you expand the reach of your inner artist while giving you room to experiment. And if things go wrong, you can always eat the props!
(Pro Tip: have extra props. You’d be surprised how many “accidents” happen on a shoot.)
So, Who Needs Food Photography?
I’m very glad you asked! The world is hungry (pun intended) for great food photography, and the clients who need it come from all walks of life.
- Restaurants & Cafes: From mom-and-pop diners to Michelin-starred spots, every place that serves food wants to show it off in the best light. Menus, websites, social media, you name it — restaurants need photos that make people say, “I’ll have what they’re having.” Everything from full-page magazine spreads to Yelp reviews. Good photography attracts customers. That’s your super-power for restaurant clients to use.
- Food Brands & Packaged Goods: Think beyond the box of cereal. Every food item you see on the shelf has likely been carefully styled and photographed to grab your attention. Companies need product shots for packaging, online listings, and marketing campaigns. Imagine the challenge of making a packet of quinoa look glamorous — and then nailing it. These shoots can range from simple window light to massive productions with sets and crew.
- Cookbooks & Magazines: Have you ever flipped through a cookbook and thought, “How do they make those meals look so good?” Well, that’s some of the magic of food photography. Cookbooks and food magazines rely on stunning visuals to make their recipes come alive, and there’s a real market for photographers who can deliver mouthwatering images. Several of my students have shot major cookbooks for national clients and they had a ball. Amy Roth / Jennifer Arce
- Beverage Companies: It’s not just food! From artisanal coffee shops to craft breweries, the world of beverages is popping, and they need great shots to show off everything from frothy cappuccinos to colorful cocktails. And think of the glassware, serving trays, bartender tools, and more that all need to look amazing.
- Grocery Stores & Online Retailers: E-commerce has drastically changed the way we buy food. Now, even your neighborhood grocery store is investing in high-quality images for online shopping platforms. There’s a big demand for photographers who can make fruits, veggies, and even cuts of meat look fresh and appealing on screen. It isn’t easy to shoot a turkey or a T-bone, but it is done everyday and you can learn to do it too.
- Marketing & Advertising Agencies: Ad agencies are always on the lookout for talented photographers who can create captivating images for their clients’ campaigns. Food photography plays a huge role in commercials, billboards, and digital ads, so if you’re good at this, agencies could become a steady source of work. The competition is fierce, but the rewards can be mindblowing.
Skills to Sharpen
Before you start making photos of your boutique Smashburger and hand-cut fries, or that great sushi plate from the little store down the street, we should talk about the skills you’ll definitely need to develop. Along with a solid understanding of photography, food shooting requires a few unique sets of technical abilities:
- Lighting Mastery: Natural light is your friend — most of the time. But sometimes you’ll need to control every beam, highlight, and shadow. Understanding how to use both soft and hard light effectively is the key to making food look tasty and fresh.
- Composition & Styling: You may be called on to be more than a photographer on occasion; you’ll a food stylist, too. Arranging food, selecting props, and creating a visual story are all part of the process. Think of yourself as an artist with food as your medium. A giant pallete of mushrooms, chocolate, avocados, and beer. Yeah… lunch.
- Attention to Detail: If a basil leaf is slightly wilted or the cheese isn’t melted just right, the shot may fall apart. Precision is everything. Hiding the stems on a pile of grapes, using a heavier grain of pepper so it will show, or blowing a bubble into a cup of tea a half-second before exposure. God, at least the food god, is in the details.
- Editing Skills: The work doesn’t stop when the camera clicks. Knowing how to enhance colors, adjust contrast, and remove any minor flaws in post-production is crucial for polished, professional images. Overly Photoshopped food isn’t really a thing, so making it look right in the camera will save you time and headaches. And if you do get a headache, make sure to get a great shot of the glass of Alka Seltzer with the fizz, the bubbles… maybe on a blue background from a low angle with… sorry, I got carried away there.
Presentation Tips
Your images will show the dish, for sure. But they must also celebrate it. Food as nutrient, food as lifestyle, food as art.
Here are a few ways to get an extra few creative calories into the mix:
- Add Movement: Add a sense of action, like a splash of milk in coffee or a sprinkle of sugar over a dessert. It makes the image feel dynamic and engaging.
- Use Props Wisely: Plates, napkins, cutlery, and even the surface you shoot on can set the mood. Keep it simple, though — props should complement, not overshadow, the food.
- Get Close: Some of the best shots are extreme close-ups. Capture the flakiness of pastry, the bubbles in a glass of champagne, or the layers of a parfait. Showcasing the little details can make a huge difference.
- Be Surprising: Show us something about the food we never noticed before, or show us something we all expect in an unexpected way.
Let’s get cooking here…
If you have thought about shooting food, it’s time to get started. Food photography can be a playground for creativity with endless possibilities. Whether you’re shooting for a local café or a national campaign for a new food brand, there’s always something new to learn and explore.
If you’ve been thinking about adding food photography to your skill set, don’t wait. The world needs more beautiful images of food, and your next big opportunity could be just around the corner. Start practicing at home, build a portfolio, and begin reaching out to potential clients.
Your journey into this tasty world may just be beginning — dig in!
Food As Art Portfolio Workshop
AN 8-WEEK WORKSHOP FOR TABLETOP PHOTOGRAPHERS
From exquisite Shitake Mushrooms to the lowliest turnip, there is much to discover in the realm of food photography. This class will introduce you to many ways of shooting food that you may not have thought of.
Come along with us and make photographs every week exploring the endlessly inspiring art of food and food photography.
All you need is a camera and some light.
When you are ready, here is how I can help you succeed.
Group Mentorship: a small group of photographers who meet to show images, work on their portfolio, and build their businesses with help from a wonderful group. Lifetime membership for one fee.
One-on-one Mentorship: You and me — working together in an intense 6-month push to get you on the way to over $30K in additional revenue. The work we lay down will help you increase and scale your business for years ahead.
Thank you for supporting my work.
