How to prepare for your next Food Photography Project

Food Photography is an art that combines culinary aesthetics with photography techniques. Whether you’re shooting for a restaurant, home kitchen, cookbook, or personal portfolio, decent preparation will always make things easier and comfortable for you. In this blog, I will be trying to cover the preparation part which caters the client brief meeting and the night before shoot preps.

Understand the project goal before Shoot Day:

For any project to be successful, it should align with the requirements given by the client. Photographers have the skill and capability to photograph. But whenever you’re working with a business and trying to boost its promotion, it is important to fulfill its essentials.

Firstly, discuss the style, mood, and target audience with the client. Are they looking for a bright and airy colorful shot for their Instagram or they’re seeking moody shots for their website and menu card?

Secondly, make a thorough list of the food that will be photographed. Get the detailed list of elements that will be shown. You must have a list of rudimentary angles, Key Dishes, and Hero Shots and ask if they need any preparation process to be covered.

Thirdly, discuss and understand the purpose of the shoots and the required deliverables. In today’s age, content is being used in different forms and platforms. Instagram insists on vivid colors and cheerful compositions, Ad Campaigns will need dramatic compositions that will represent the brand identity, and Print Media demands the highest possible resolution images with top-notch quality. Having a list of essentials in a brief day will ease the path of accomplishment of a successful project.

Plan the Creative Direction:

Creative direction is the backbone of a successful food photography project. It sets the tone for your images and ensures consistency and alignment with the clients vision.

Firstly, create a mood board. It will be a visual inspiration for the style and atmosphere you want to achieve. It serves as a guide for your brain throughout the project and helps you to align every detail in the execution session. Search and collect images that best match your desired ambiance. Instagram is a big place to swim, Pinterest is the savior when it comes to taking inspiration, and surfing through your favorite photographer’s portfolio is one of the ways to identify what you want to create.

Secondly, determine your color palette. In the food photography sector, color plays a crucial role in deciding the mood and strengthening the food’s appeal. Use complementary colors to make the food stand out.

Thirdly, plan your background and props. Props and cutleries are as important as the food itself, adding context and enhancing the overall composition. Opt for cutleries that align with the cuisine, choose neutral backgrounds and plate-were to keep the focus on the dish itself. Wooden board, marble slabs, and textured paper can effortlessly be used in a creative arrangement. If you’re using ingredients, try to include the ones that are used in the dish directly and represent a core flavor.

If you’re going through the process again and again, it will be in your reflex. Good luck for your next food photography session.

By Sayeed Bin Mohiuddin

Sayeed Bin Mohiuddin