As food and drink businesses approach the busy festive season, getting on point with your photography can really make the difference in bringing in new customers. Consistently updating your social channels is a must to keep competitive and there’s nothing quite as alluring as a vibrant shot of what you have on offer. There are a number smartphone photography skills that will help you to create these engaging shots. Here are a few tips from Gail, our food and drink photography specialist, on the best ways to highlight your delicious offerings.
Getting the angle and perspective right
Food and drink photography can be enhanced by the angle and perspective of your shot. Depending on what you’re photographing, an overhead shot, a long perspective (such as row of drinks), or a macro shot that shows off the detail could work best. In these types of shots, concentrate directly on the food. You can concentrate on the setting and atmosphere in other shots. Together they will build a descriptive and enticing narrative about your business.
Choose a ‘hero’ piece of food or drink
Food and drink photography is about the detail - the juicy piece of fruit, the blend of spices, the mouth-watering centre piece. Lock your focus and exposure onto a ‘hero’ object and make it the star of your shot. When people see this type of photography, they want to feel it is there in front of them ready to enjoy. The hero shot can achieve this.
Avoid reflections and create interest
With this kind of up-close and detailed shot, you will want to avoid reflections because it will distract from the focus of your food and drink. Choose non-reflective pans and crockery and angle shots to avoid glass reflection of you and any distracting background.
You can also add a lot of interest into your shot by choosing different sized plates and bowls and opting for a colourful presentation if that’s the kind of food and drink you make. You can also use uniformity, such as row of drinks or perfectly lined up plates ready to serve. It all depends on the story of your business. Tapas, sushi and Fench bistro will each tell a very different visual and cultural story.
Think about lighting
Natural light can help to bring out the rich colours of your food and drink shots. However, there isn’t an abundance of natural light in the UK as winter approaches! In this case, investing in a photographic LED lamp can make a huge difference. Opt for a design that you can move around easily to make sure your food and drink offerings are ideally lit.
Think about your food and drink journey
People love to see behind the scenes of how you make your dishes or prepare your drinks. Just look at the drama a bar tender creates when they make a cocktail. Think about the journey of your food and drink from beginning to end. Take shots of the food market (if possible), the preparation, the cooking and the beautifully finished product. This will make your food and drink even more alluring while giving patrons a glimpse into your creative process.
Build your food and drink photography skills
Food and drink photography can be technically tricky to get right and can cost a lot if taken professionally. Why not join us for a masterclass in food and drink smartphone photography so you can create stunning shots for your business while on the go.
If you would like to find out more, get in touch with Gail at gail@jetblacksquares.com