How to take high-quality photos of your food and drink

Why great food photos are a must-have

Ever scrolled through a delivery app and chosen a restaurant purely because the food looked amazing? That’s the power of a great photo. Before anyone can taste your food, they see it. High-quality, appetising images are your secret weapon for making a brilliant first impression on your website, social media, menus, and platforms like Just Eat or Deliveroo.

You don't need to be a professional photographer to get fantastic results. With a bit of know-how and your smartphone, you can create images that make people’s mouths water. Let's get started.

Step 1: You don't need a fancy camera

Forget about spending a fortune on a professional camera. The camera on most modern smartphones is more than capable of taking brilliant photos for your website and social media. The key isn't the camera itself, but how you use it.

Top Tip: Before you start, give your phone's camera lens a quick wipe with a soft cloth. A smudgy lens is the number one enemy of a sharp photo!

Step 2: Find the best light

Lighting is the most important ingredient for a great photo. And the best light is almost always natural light.

• Get near a window: Set up your dish on a table next to a window. The soft, diffused light coming from the side will highlight the texture of your food beautifully.
• Avoid direct sunlight: Harsh, direct sun creates ugly shadows. If the sun is too strong, hang a thin white sheet or some baking paper over the window to soften it.
• Turn off the flash: Your camera's built-in flash is unflattering. It flattens the image and makes food look greasy and unappetising. Never use it.

Step 3: Set the scene

The background of your photo helps to tell the story. The goal is to make the food the hero, so keep the background simple and clean.

• Choose a simple surface: A clean wooden table, a slate placemat, a plain kitchen counter, or even a large sheet of coloured card can work wonders.
• Remove clutter: Make sure there’s nothing distracting in the background. Move away any salt and pepper shakers, dirty napkins, or kitchen clutter that isn't part of the shot.
• Add simple props: Sometimes, a few carefully placed props can enhance the image. A fresh herb, a rustic fork, or a couple of the raw ingredients used in the dish can add context and visual interest. Don't overdo it!

Step 4: Style your dish to shine

Make your food look its absolute best before you even think about taking the picture.

• Work quickly: Food looks best the moment it's cooked. Salads wilt, sauces can congeal, and hot food stops steaming. Have your photo setup ready to go before the food is plated.
• Garnish with purpose: A sprinkle of fresh parsley, a dusting of icing sugar, or a drizzle of olive oil can bring a dish to life.
• Keep it clean: Carefully wipe any drips or smudges from the rim of the plate or bowl for a professional finish.

Step 5: Find the perfect angle

The angle you shoot from can completely change the look and feel of your dish. Experiment with a few different options to see what works best.

1. The 45-degree angle: This is the angle you’d naturally see the food from if you were sitting down to eat it. It’s a classic for a reason and works well for most dishes, especially things with height like a burger or a stack of pancakes.
2. The overhead shot (or flat lay): Shooting from directly above is very popular on social media. It's perfect for things like pizza, smoothie bowls, or a beautifully arranged platter where you want to show off all the ingredients at once.
3. The close-up: Don't be afraid to get close and capture the delicious textures. Focus on the melted cheese, the juicy slice of meat, or the crispy coating.

Take lots of photos from different angles. You can always delete the ones that don't work later.

Step 6: A little editing goes a long way

A quick edit can transform a good photo into a great one. You can use the built-in editor on your phone or a free app like Snapseed.

• Brightness: Make the photo a little brighter to make it look fresh and appealing.
• Contrast: Slightly increasing the contrast makes the colours pop.
• Saturation or Vibrance: A small boost can make the colours look richer and more appetising. Be careful not to go too far, or it will look unnatural.

The goal is to enhance what's already there, not to change it completely. Avoid using heavy filters that distort the natural colours of the food.

And that's it! By following these simple steps, you'll be taking professional-looking photos that do your delicious food justice and help attract hungry customers to your business.