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Great visual content is essential these days. Not only is it important for social media platforms, websites, and marketing purposes, but it can entice potential diners without them even setting foot in your venue.
If a large photoshoot with a substantial budget is currently out of reach, all hope is not lost! Below is a simple guide on how to get started, so you can confidently get behind the lens, capture stunning images and show off your menu.
Plan your shoot
Doing a food photoshoot can be really exciting, and while jumping right in may be tempting, thoroughly planning your shoot from start to finish is extremely important. Here’s a quick checklist of what you need to do before scheduling your shoot:
- Gather inspiration: Spend some time getting inspiration by exploring similar dishes and how they’ve been styled, photographed and edited. Platforms like Pinterest, Bēhance and Instagram can be great resources.
- Choose your date and time carefully: Take a look at the weather app and aim for a sunny day. As for time, opt for mid-morning between 9h00 – 12h00 for the best lighting. This timing also allows you to finish before your lunch and dinner services.
- Select your “models”: In this case, your “models” are your menu items. Pick which ones you would like to photograph while trying to limit your selection to dishes with similar ingredients.
Food waste
By thoroughly reviewing your menu and grouping together dishes that share similar ingredients, you not only simplify the process but you can also cut down on food waste. At past shoots, I would photograph the dishes that used fresh, raw produce first, while saving cooked dishes for last as this allowed my team to reuse ingredients and keep costs down.
Another effective way to reduce food waste during a shoot is to use the session as a training exercise. Encourage your staff to be present on the day and utilise the time to brush up their skills in the preparation, ingredients, and presentation of the various menu items. You could also use the shoot as an opportunity for team menu tasting – just as long as the food hasn’t been handled too much!
Location
When it comes to location, there’s no need to venture far, your restaurant is the perfect choice! Not only does this save on expenses compared to hiring a studio, but it also gives you access to your own kitchen so you don’t have to pack up your chefs, ingredients, crockery and cutlery and move everything to another location. You’ll also be able to get shots of your venue, feature your staff, and take your time to really focus on the presentation of the dishes.
Backdrop
There are a few options when it comes to backdrops. From table settings and colourful paper backdrops, to fun packaging and more, this is your chance to get creative. Just remember to avoid cluttering your scenes with too many patterns and props, as the dishes should be the main focal point of the shot.
Camera
While a DSLR camera is the best choice, it’s not necessary (Cue every photographer screaming right now!) These days, smartphone cameras are incredible and come with a huge amount of adjustable settings that help you achieve crisp images without expensive equipment. There is, however, one non-negotiable rule: clean your lens. Keep a micro-fibre cloth handy during the shoot to wipe away any particles, crumbs and smudges.
Just to reiterate the importance: Clean. Your. Lens.
Natural lighting
When photographing food, natural lighting is your best friend. Aim to set up in front of a bright window with direct sunlight so you can easily control the light with the use of a diffuser. (If you don’t have fancy light diffuser panels, I’ve found that an A2 piece of paper works wonders!) Plus, when it comes to editing, a well-lit set with soft light will make your life so much easier.
Lighting will change the mood of your shoot, so make sure you know what ambience you want to create.
Editing
A great tool to have in your brand’s visual identity is a set of presets. This ensures consistency across your images (from different shoots) and cuts down on editing, requiring only minor adjustments in “post”. Next, use the healing tool to clean up any crumbs, marks, smudges or unwanted items that may have been missed. Finally, export your images in high-resolution, et voilà!
High-resolution images are detailed and not pixelated. You should aim for the file to be around 3MB, and 1080 x 1920 in size.
Something to keep in mind from the beginning is to be deliberate in your planning and approach. The dreaded phrase “we can just Photoshop that” sends shivers down my spine. Editing is there to enhance your images, not rescue them.
You don’t need expensive software to edit your images. A great option is the Photoshop Express app. It’s amazing at simple editing and has a ton of features. You can download the app for free – and add paid features if you need them.
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