The urge to capture a good picture of your food is something everyone experiences from time to time. We like colorful Instagram feeds that show the world what we eat and how we eat it.

The good news is that capturing Instagram-worthy pictures doesn’t require you to have an expensive high-end camera. Everything from capturing photos to editing can be done on your phone. 

Let’s take a look at some tips and tricks that can up your food photography game and make it look just as mouth-watering as the actual plate.

Good Lighting is Essential

The first step to taking good food photos is good lighting. 

We have all seen or even captured some photos with the flash on or even oversaturated filters that make the final photo unattractive.

Without good lighting, food photos can come out looking dark and noisy. Here are a few things to take care of:

Taking Pictures Outdoors

When capturing photos outdoors, the best source of lighting is the sun. However, even capturing photos using natural sunlight requires some technique.

Direct light can be harsh. We suggest that you pick a time of the day when the sun isn’t too high up in the sky. Usually, any time before 11 am and before 5 pm is perfect. 

Another option is to use shade so that direct sunlight doesn’t hit your foot, but there’s enough light to make your picture look attractive. 

Also, avoid taking photos during rainy days. The light will be gloomy. Overcast days make for perfect food photo conditions, thanks to the soft shadows that clouds produce naturally.

Taking Pictures Indoors

Indoor photography can be a little tricky. Try to take pictures near a window so that there’s some natural light complimenting your food.

If the sunlight is too bright, you can drape a white cloth over the window to produce a softer light. 

If you don’t have a spot near the window, there is no need to fret. Artificial light sources such as ring lights can be used. However, whatever you do, never turn the flash on to capture food photos indoors. Doing this can cast unwanted shadows.

If you’re capturing photos in a restaurant, then check this guide on how to come up with kickass food photos:

Set Up the Right Shot

Taking attractive food photos requires more than just a plate of good food. The surrounding area matters as well. Don’t just place your plate on a plain background and capture the picture.

Doing this will make your photo look boring. Here are some tips to establishing the shot that will elevate the aesthetics of your photo:

Decorate the Background

You can’t have a good food photo if the background doesn’t complement the actual food. A plain white background may do the trick, but you can choose to be creative, especially if your plate isn’t very colorful.

Using patterned backgrounds is usually not a good idea, but it can work for baked goods such as bread and muffins.

Make sure to keep the background as simple as possible. Having too much gone on in the background can take attention away from the main subject.

Use Appropriate Props

Props that go with your food can add life to your photo. Choose props that go with what you are trying to show. Use cutlery, glassware, or ingredients like spices and herbs.

All of these are basic props. But don’t overdo it. You don’t need to take attention away from the plate.

Food Presentation

It doesn’t matter how good the background or props are; your pictures will turn out to be dull if the food doesn’t look good. So pull your socks up and work on your food presentation. 

Use bright herbs for garnishing and try to add colors to the plate. Don’t put too much food on your plate unless you want a messy look.

Use the Grid Option on your Phone

The Grid feature can make your photos stand out. Having a grid on your screen when taking food photos gives you some perspective into how much of the background you should capture.

It can, however, take you a little while to learn to use this option. There’s a learning curve. Try different options till you find the sweet spot.

Use a Tripod

While not necessary, a tripod can turn out to be quite useful, especially if you do not have a steady hand.

A good photo should be clear and in-focus, not blurry. If you’re really enthusiastic about taking quality food photos, then the first step is to invest in a tripod. It doesn’t have to be too large; just a small tripod is enough, as long as it can handle the weight of your phone. 

Investing in a tripod can also help you achieve that flat lay when you place your tripod and phone to hover right above the food.

Be Creative!

Photography is all about being creative. Come up with interesting themes and ideas. There’s no harm in getting inspired, so Google a little and find your niche.

Changing something as small as the angle or background can do the trick. You don’t always have to stick to a single formula; allow yourself some freedom and try new things. 

Editing Techniques

Photos that you see on the internet are not raw. Most are edited. Raw photos are rarely good enough for the world to see, so get ready to spend a few minutes on editing.

Do not worry; you will not have to sit in front of a computer for hours to get the job done as today’s editing software are smart and even support most mobile devices. Remember that the right editing tool can make a good photo look great.

There is no rule to follow but make sure not to overdo it. Minimal editing is often enough. Just enhance some colors, change the background if you need to, add some text, and your job is done.

Some experts believe that only fixing the brightness and contrast can be enough. You should know when to stop as some filters can completely change the color of your food or photo.

Also, you can use Professionally designed Lightroom Presets for Food Photography.

You’re Done With the Editing - But How Do You Make People Notice Your Food Photos?

We know you want the world to see your photos and appreciate your talent. Competition is tough. About 95 million photos and videos are shared on Insta in a day. If you want to stand out, you must use the right marketing technique. Here are some tips:

Stick to a Niche

People love food photography, but they must know what to expect. You can’t post a food photograph today and forget about it for a month. Whether you’re running an Instagram page or a Facebook profile, you must be very clear about your niche.

If you are a food photographer, then work on building your reputation by being active and sharing your photos regularly. It might also be a good idea to add a theme to your profile.

This can be done by using a specific text, sticking to similar filters, or putting your photos in a specific way. This will give you a good identity and make it easier for users to connect with you.

Use Pre-Made Templates

If you’re new to the business, then consider looking for websites that have pre-made templates that you can edit and add your own photos to. Most bloggers do this as it can help save time.

Restaurant flyer templates, for example, can be used to promote your services. These templates make the job easier as all that you need to do is open and edit them according to your needs. 

Use Hashtags

Making popular by Instagram, hashtags are used on Twitter and Facebook as well. They can be used to find relevant content so make sure to include some quality hashtags in your posts.

While beneficial, they can backfire. We suggest that you use a reliable third-party tool to find relevant and popular hashtags to use. There is also a limit on how many hashtags you can use, based on the platform you’re using. Experts suggest using about ten hashtags per post.

Using too many hashtags isn’t always a good idea. Moreover, you can look for similar content and see the kind of hashtags they’ve used for some inspiration. Don’t blindly copy their hashtags, and also work on creating branded hashtags to spread the word.

Conclusion

Taking good food photos with your phone isn’t as difficult as it sounds. It only requires some skills and a lot of creativity. Don’t hesitate and start clicking pictures today.

The key lies in experimenting. Change angles, try different lights, work on food presentation, and give editing a try. In a few days, you’ll be an expert food photographer. However, make sure to invest in a good marketing tool to ensure your talent reaches more people.