Food photography in your restaurant and how it is done

Food photographers have a skill of making a tasty burger look like the most mouth-watering and delicious burger that anyone has ever seen.
As an experienced food photographer in London, my expertise involves making food look scrumptious. I am passionate about making people hungry just by looking at an image of your food.
Here is a brief guide on food photography in your restaurant and how a professional photographer works.

Preparation

Preparation is key in restaurants and just as important in food photography. It doesn’t matter if I am shooting for a food brand, for drinks and cocktails, confectionery or restaurant meals.
As an expert food photographer, when I shoot for a food brand I always prepare the right material beforehand. For instance I will work with the food business and prepare a mood board and a shoot schedule.

A mood board, or photography brief, helps the client visualise the end result of the images. This also helps them understand the mood of the food photos and helps connect the restaurant images to the rest of the brand.

Working closely with the client a few days before the shoot prepares both the photographer and the client on what to expect during the day.

A shooting schedule is also discussed. For example, if the restaurant is in full service during the photography session, we may have to work differently than during a quiet time. The shoot schedule keeps everybody updated and is a great way to avoid miscommunication on the day of the shooting.

Team Work

Most food photographers don’t work alone. The job is often done with the help of a food stylist, and possibly a prop stylist.

If the budget allows for it – I would always recommend the client considering a stylist be involved with the shoot. A stylist is a professional who styles the food before shooting. A stylist will help your chefs plate up a meal that looks great for camera. It’s similar to a make-up artist on a fashion shoot. The food photographer will handle the angles, lighting, subject brightness.

Investing in a food photographer for your restaurant will benefit you long-term, as visual stimulation is key in increasing customers for any food business.

Shooting

For any restaurant I usually shoot onsite using the restaurants’ own furniture and interior as part of the set.

On the day of the shooting for the food client, I arrive a bit early, arrange my equipment and prepare the setup. As a freelance food photographer, I arrange to bring my own gear from lighting to my own professional camera.
Working closely with the chef (and food stylist if I have arranged one) I will communicate timings so we all work in unison to bring out the dishes one by one to photograph.

So, food photography in your restaurant – now you know how it’s done.