Restaurant Food Photography: A Guide for Independent Owners

Mouth-watering restaurant food photography is one the best ways to attract hungry customers. Whether you’re updating your website or keeping your social media fresh, great photos help you get more attention and motivate customers to choose your restaurant over the competition. 

Here’s your guide to capturing professional-quality photos without breaking the bank.

Restaurant Food Photography: Essential Equipment Under $50

You really don’t need much more than a smart phone to take great photos, but these budget-friendly tools will take your restaurant food photography up a notch:

• Smartphone tripod with adjustable height ($20): Prevents shaky shots and ensures consistent angles.
• LED portable light panel ($40): Brightens darker spaces or evening shots.
• White foam board ($5): Softens shadows and reflects natural light.
• Basic backdrop set ($20): Matte black and white options work well for versatile shooting.

Restaurant Food Photography Tips Before You Start Shooting

Preparation is key for a smooth and efficient photo session. Just like you make sure your station is prepped before service, you want to make sure you have everything you need before starting your restaurant food photography session. Follow these steps to set yourself up for success:

1. Create a shot list: Prioritize your most popular dishes, seasonal specials, and unique offerings.
2. Clean your phone’s camera lens: Smudges can ruin an otherwise great photo.
3. Tidy your area: Clear the space of distractions like trashcans or clutter.
4. Charge your equipment: Ensure your phone, lights, and other tools are ready to go.
5. Test your setup: Take a quick sample shot to confirm lighting and composition.

Restaurant Food Photography: Lighting

Lighting will make or break your food photography. It’s different between a sad, soggy looking burger and a mouth-watering deluxe cheeseburger bursting with flavor. Here’s how to get it right:

Natural Light Tips

• Position your setup near windows but avoid direct sunlight.
• Shoot during midday (11 AM – 2 PM) for consistent natural light.
• Use a foam board to bounce light and fill shadows.
• Capture golden hour shots (just before sunset) for a warm, inviting look.

Indoor Lighting Solutions

• Place an LED panel at a 45-degree angle to your dish for soft, even lighting.
• Avoid overhead fluorescent lights, which can make photos look cold and unappetizing.
• Create depth by using side lighting instead of front lighting.

Composition Tips for Every Dish

Different dishes require different approaches. How you make a seasonal soup look enticing is far different than a club sandwich. Here’s how to showcase some popular food types:

Burgers

• Shoot at eye level to highlight the layers.
• Capture moments like a slight squeeze to show juiciness.
• Include close-ups of fresh toppings and melted cheese.

BBQ

• Highlight the glisten of sauce and smoke for added atmosphere.
• Capture “pull-apart” moments with ribs or brisket.

Salads and Bowls

• Use top-down shots to showcase ingredient variety.
• Layer ingredients by color for visual impact.
• Add strategic garnishes for pops of color.

Wraps and Sandwiches

• Cut at a 45-degree angle to reveal fillings.
• Stack ingredients visibly for a tempting presentation.
• Show texture by focusing on grilled or toasted exteriors.

Master the Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is a simple composition technique that makes your photos more dynamic and captures the viewers attention. It instantly makes your restaurant food photography skills look more professional and polished. Here’s how to make it work for you:

• Enable grid lines on your smartphone camera:
  • iPhone: Go to Settings > Camera > Grid.
  • Android: Open your camera app, go to Settings, and toggle on Grid Lines.
• Place your subject off-center: Position your dish along one of the grid lines or intersections.
• Highlight the best features: Draw attention to garnishes or sauces at the intersections.

Building a Photo Library

A versatile photo library supports all your marketing needs, from social media to websites, to brochure, and beyond. Plus, the more photos you take in one session, the wider the variety you’ll have to pull from over the next few months. Include a mix of these shots:

• Food Shots: Highlight signature dishes, seasonal specials, and unique offerings.
• Action Shots: Show chefs cooking, servers interacting with customers, or food being served.
• Atmosphere Shots: Showcase your restaurant’s interior, exterior, or food truck setup.
• Customer Photos: With permission, feature happy customers enjoying their meals.

Your food photos tell your restaurant’s story. With practice and these tips, you’ll create scroll-stopping, appetite-inducing images that bring customers through your door.

Ready to Take Your Marketing Further?

Great food photography is just one piece of your marketing strategy. Download our free Magnetic Restaurant Marketing Guide to learn how to:

• Build a cohesive social media strategy.
• Create a website that converts visitors into customers.
• Develop a content calendar for consistent posting.
• Track the success of your visual content.

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