With social media being such a big part of our lives, it is more important than ever to reach your customers online and market your food options to a broad audience. Customers are deciding what to order while browsing online due to the increase in food delivery, take out, and curbside pick-up. So it is important to post photos of your food online and that those photos represent your menu items well. Photos of appetizing dishes posted on social media can sell your location and make someone choose you over a competitor.
Here are our tips for getting the best shots:
Shoot in Natural Light: Natural light is food’s best friend when it comes to photography. The flash from a camera can add too much light from the front, which can alter the coloring of the food. Artificial light, such as that from a lamp, can cast an orange or yellow hue.
Consider the whole shot: The food is the star of the show, but everything in the image can speak to your customer, even if it is on a subconscious level. The tablecloth, background, plate, and cutlery can all contribute to the overall impression. No matter what you choose, you’ll want to hand-pick what makes it into the frame.
Choose a background: The right environment can help food stand out. Dark food often works best on a dark background, while light-colored food works well on a light background. Wooden backgrounds, such as a cutting board or table, often look good with almost any kind of food. A tea towel or tablecloth also work well.
Shoot from the best angle: Different angles can showcase different elements of a dish. Try different perspectives—top, bottom, diagonal, left and right—to see what works best. Shooting from above can show a beautiful arrangement of food while eliminating any distracting backgrounds. A diagonal or side shot can show off interesting layers, such as those in a lasagna or horseshoe.
Clean your plate: Since details are essential, give the edges of your dish a final wipe down to ensure there aren’t any spills or fingerprints that might distract from your primary focus.
Now that you have these easy tips, it is time to capture the mouthwatering goodness or your menu items and share them online for all to see!