Millennials are well-known for obsessing over photos of good eats. In fact, food photography has become a way to share a delicious experience with friends. Or maybe it just gives us bragging rights for eating the most #aesthetic foods.
Here are 12 tricks that will take your food photography game to the next level.
1. Embrace your inner paparazzi.
Photo by Rachel Lee
The key to good photography is to take many photos and pick the best out of the results. Experiment with angles: Aerial and close-up shots are great choices — just remember to step back for an action shot too. Feel free to also play around with different focuses.
2. Choose the window seat.
Photo by Vi Tran
Good lighting is everything. Whether you’re at home or at a local restaurant, make sure to set yourself up in the place with the most natural light. Don’t be afraid to ask to be seated by the window at restaurants.
3. Take photos on cloudy days.
Photo by Luna Zhang
Say goodbye to harsh shadows. Gloomy days are your new best friends because the clouds diffuse the sunlight and soften the lighting in your photos. If you’re looking for an excuse to eat on the go, a gloomy day is the perfect day.
4. Stock up on white plates.
Photo by Luna Zhang
Simple and clean are the best. Keep grandma’s precious butterfly china in the cupboard and get yourself some affordable and durable Ikea dishes instead. White plates are the safest bet because they go with anything. The next time you’re on your way to get some Swedish meatballs, don’t forget to pick up some white dishes too.
5. Create anticipation.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Food photography is all about replicating the mesmerizing feeling of seeing your food at a restaurant when you’re just so ready to chow down. Simulate getting ready to eat that first bite by twirling linguine on your fork, cutting open your steak, or scooping up some soup in your spoon. Sometimes, imperfection is key.
6. Get messy.
Photo by Isabel Wang
Add color to your dish with garnishes. Drizzle Sriracha and mustard to create an artfully messy dish, or have overflowing caramel and hot fudge get the saliva glands going.
7. Bring your friends for more variety…
Photo by Luna Zhang
The more people present, the greater the number of dishes, and the more interesting your photos will be. It’s a great excuse to try everything on the menu.
8. … And get them to hand model.
Photo by Luna Zhang
Instead of wrangling your way around a greasy burger while also trying to perfect your camera settings, get an extra pair of hands (or two) in the image. Have your friends pretend to reach for food, pull it apart, or feign cutting it apart.
9. Find interesting backdrops.
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
You may look a little crazy putting your dish on the floor just for some snaps, but sometimes a nice marble floor can be more aesthetic than a plastic table cloth. Hold up your ice cream to the nearest brick or wooden wall for some interesting texture. Carry around a white tablecloth if you think you’re going to need it. #noshame
#SpoonTip: Don’t be afraid to move things out of the way to get the picture you need.
10. Plate like a pro.
Photo by Jonathan Hsu
Real talk: You want people to eat your photos with their eyes, so think about how to make things look as beautiful as possible. Slice up your fruit, drizzle some sauce, or stack some waffles.
11. Show the process.
Photo by Russell Escalada
Arrange your ingredients beforehand. Think about what you want people to see. If you’re not sure, take shots of everything! Produce a sense of “creating” in your images to really showcase the magic behind making good food.
12. Learn from others.
Photo by Luna Zhang
The most valuable resource is the Internet. There’s an endless amount of prime food photos out there. Look them up and analyze what aspects make them work, then apply that new knowledge to your own photography.
Take these tips to heart and embrace your inner food photographer. The next time you reach a record number of likes, you’ll know who to thank.