Introduction
Are you looking to enhance your skills in commercial food photography? Whether you have been tasked with photographing food for a client or you simply want to level up your food photography game, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive article, we will share valuable tips and techniques to help you excel in commercial food photoshoots. We will cover various aspects, including gear selection, location setup, understanding client needs, finding inspiration, using different surfaces, incorporating people and action, food pairings, seeking feedback, and documenting your work.
Tip 1: Carefully select your gear
Food photography has unique equipment requirements, particularly in a commercial setting. When choosing your gear, it is essential to consider your client’s specific needs to ensure their satisfaction. While a wide range of cameras can be used for food photography, higher-resolution models are generally preferred, especially for large prints. Additionally, if you plan to shoot handheld, opting for a camera with excellent low-light capabilities is crucial to maintain image quality. In terms of lenses, macro lenses are often invaluable for capturing small details, while a wide-to-standard zoom lens allows for diverse food compositions from different angles.
For example, I typically use a Canon 5D Mark III and a Canon 6D with a 24-70mm f/2.8 and a 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. Lighting-wise, reflectors and natural lighting can be utilized effectively, but an off-camera flash setup with a single speedlight, a shoot-through umbrella, and a reflector can provide consistent lighting control. Here’s an example of my lighting setup during a cookie photoshoot:
– Image (insert image of lighting setup)
Tip 2: Choose the right location (and set up the room)
When it comes to food photography, the location plays a crucial role. While food photography can be done anywhere, it is essential to consider your client’s preferences. If they have a specific location in mind, you may need to bring additional items such as tables, chairs, linens, and plates. However, if the client does not have a preference, you have the freedom to choose a suitable location. Opting for a place with ample natural lighting can enhance your images, and if you need to create an elaborate table setup, ensure you have enough space to work comfortably.
In some cases, conducting the photoshoot in your own studio can be a viable option as long as you have the necessary props on hand. For instance, during my cookie photoshoot, I decided to work in my personal space, leveraging various surfaces and props I had available to enhance the images.
Tip 3: Understand the client’s needs
In commercial food photography, it is vital to grasp the client’s requirements and expectations. There are two main scenarios you may encounter: either the client provides a menu of prepared dishes that need to be photographed within a specific timeframe, or they have one particular dish or menu item they want to highlight. Some clients may have specific moods or shot ideas in mind, while others may entrust you with creative freedom. To ensure a successful photoshoot, engaging in thorough communication with your client is crucial. Discuss their preferences, share your own ideas, and review any example images they may have to align your vision with theirs. It is also imperative to understand how the photos will be used, as the approach may differ based on the intended purpose (e.g., magazine image versus a Facebook cover photo) and technical requirements such as resolution and image sharpness.
To illustrate, in my example assignment, a local grocery store wanted me to focus solely on one particular item: an extraordinarily large chocolate chip cookie known as “The Cookie.” Their goal was to create promotional marketing materials, including large decals and posters that would be prominently displayed throughout the store. Therefore, it was crucial for me to produce high-resolution images that showcased the cookie’s size and its gooey chocolate center.
Tip 4: Find ideas using Pinterest
Pinterest can be an excellent source of inspiration for commercial food photography. Even after understanding your client’s basic photo needs, it is beneficial to conduct additional research. By exploring other photoshoots featuring similar subjects and shooting requirements, you can identify patterns, generate unique ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of how others have executed similar projects. While it is crucial to avoid directly copying images, incorporating elements and techniques from other photoshoots into your own work can take your creativity to new heights.
For instance, searching for “chocolate chip cookies” on Pinterest provided me with a multitude of ideas for effectively photographing “The Cookie.” Although I never replicate images verbatim, I found it acceptable to incorporate certain aspects from other photoshoots to add my unique twist to the final images.
Tip 5: Use a variety of surfaces
When setting up the room for a commercial food photoshoot, it is essential to have a diverse selection of surfaces at your disposal. The availability and utilization of various surfaces can significantly enhance the variety of shots you can create while satisfying your client’s preferences. Consider incorporating surfaces such as wood (in various colors), plates, marble, cutting boards, and paper. Offering your client a range of textures and aesthetics to choose from can leave a lasting impression while adding depth and visual interest to your images.
To illustrate this tip, during my cookie photoshoot, I selected three main surfaces to showcase the cookies: a ceramic plate placed on a granite countertop, a wooden cutting board, and white paper napkins and packaging that accompanied each cookie. By utilizing these surfaces, I was able to create visually compelling images that met my client’s expectations.
Tip 6: Incorporate people and action into the scene
While beginner food photographers often focus solely on presenting the food on its own, incorporating people into the frame can elevate the visual impact and create a stronger connection with the audience. It adds a sense of relatability and engagement to the images. You do not necessarily need to show the entire body or face; including a hand holding a food item, sprinkling ingredients, or an apron in the background can provide a touch of authenticity and add dynamics to the scene.
In my cookie photoshoot, I captured some images that featured a person holding out the cookie. This addition served multiple purposes; it provided a sense of purpose that the client found helpful and communicated the enormous size of “The Cookie” by including a reference for scale.
Tip 7: Use ingredients and pairings
Every food item has logical pairings that complement and enhance their flavors. Incorporating these pairings into your photography can create more authentic, visually appealing images that engage the viewer’s imagination. For instance, think of white wine and fish, beer and burgers, or milk and cookies. By highlighting the natural pairing, you can set the scene and offer a more complete experience to the viewer. Additionally, including pairings helps indicate how the food item is intended to be enjoyed while providing scale, especially when dealing with unusually small or large food items.
In the case of the cookie photoshoot, I added a glass of milk as a pairing to emphasize the sheer size of the cookies and to evoke a sense of enjoyment and indulgence.
Tip 8: Be open to feedback and further collaboration
When you finish a photoshoot, don’t be afraid to seek feedback from your client. It is essential to provide them with a quick batch of edited photos for review, even if they are not the final product. This allows for early input and ensures that you are on the right track, avoiding the need for extensive reshooting. Valuing open communication and discussing the images can lead to a better understanding of your client’s preferences, resulting in a more satisfactory final product.
In my experience with the cookie photoshoot, I shared some initial images with the grocery store. While the client initially complimented the images, they felt that the photos did not align with their ideal vision. Fortunately, by engaging in further conversation and actively listening to their feedback, I was able to gain a clearer understanding of what they were looking for. Consequently, I adapted my approach and created a revised set of images that better met their expectations.
Tip 9: Find the finished product and document it!
After completing a photography service for a client, make an effort to obtain the final product whenever possible. Having proof of your published photos is beneficial for building your professional portfolio and establishing credibility in the industry. Moreover, seeing your images showcased on a grand scale, such as on building facades, in restaurants, or on menus, is a rewarding experience. Capture high-quality images of the final product, showcase them on your website and social media platforms, and let potential clients witness the true extent of your capabilities.
In my case, I photographed the blown-up images of my cookie photos, which were used as promotional materials displayed on the side of the grocery store. These images not only added to my portfolio but also served as a testament to the success of the collaboration between the grocery store and me.
Commercial food photography tips: final words
Congratulations! You have reached the end of this comprehensive article, filled with valuable tips and insights to help you excel in commercial food photography. Armed with the knowledge and techniques we have shared, you are now equipped to capture incredible images that leave a lasting impact on your clients and audience alike. Remember to communicate effectively with your clients, carefully select your gear, seek inspiration, utilize various surfaces, incorporate people and action, consider food pairings, embrace feedback, and document your work. Now it’s your turn! Which tip do you plan to implement first? Do you have any additional ideas or experiences to share when it comes to commercial food photoshoots? We look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments below!
The article is compiled and compiled by tipcamera.com
