Shelly Waldman<\/a>, a professional photographer based out of the San Francisco Bay area. \u201cTake your scene and put it next to a window, you\u2019re immediately going to have better light than in the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\nDirect sunlight can cast sharp shadows, and for that Waldman has a remedy: Diffuse the light by hanging a white tablecloth in the window or by taping wax paper to the window. She notes that not all shadows are bad. They create shape and depth every image needs.<\/p>\n
Build your set<\/h3>\n
Photography is an opportunity to tell a story about your food, says Gordon Food Service Graphic Designer Leah Day-Sanderson. \u201cAre you a barbecue restaurant? Do you have wooden tables? Don\u2019t shoot everything on white if that\u2019s not who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those wooden tables or a scattering of fresh ingredients around your hero food image can reinforce your brand. Being intentional with your set showcases what makes you special. \u201cBe purposeful\u2014don\u2019t just make a dish and take a picture of it,\u201d Day-Sanderson says. \u201cMake more than one dish of the same thing and take the one that works best, because it won\u2019t always be right the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Add a little pizzazz<\/h3>\n
When on set, your food needs to look its best. A spray bottle with water for misting provides a sheen that makes meat appear juicier or beverages appear colder. And a lint-free cloth is handy for removing stray droplets or fingerprints.<\/p>\n
No food photo is complete without accompaniments. A burger looks better with fries or onion rings. A plate stands out with a napkin and utensils. And don\u2019t forget garnishes.<\/p>\n
\u201cGarnishes are your friend,\u201d Waldman insists. \u201cA toothpick in the burger, a drizzle of oil or cream on soup, croutons and cheese on salad \u2026 but be thoughtful: a little garnish goes a long way so don\u2019t overdo it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Use the right tools<\/h3>\n
One of the easiest ways to improve images taken with a smartphone is to turn on the grid and the level on your camera. Doing so creates a level plane and less distortion when shooting top-down images, Waldman says. <\/p>\n
The grid helps novices with a photography basic\u2014the rule of thirds. The off-center area where grid lines intersect are focal points and should include key elements of the photo. If you choose symmetry, make sure everything is perfectly aligned. One off-center element is distracting.<\/p>\n
Another simple improvement is to make sure your phone is set to take high-resolution images, Day-Sanderson points out. The better quality you have at the start, the more editing you can do. And when it comes to editing, Waldman suggests apps like Snapseed or Lightroom to punch up the vibrancy or bring down the shadows.<\/p>\n
Share on social media<\/h3>\n
Once you have images you like, it\u2019s time to share. But that can be a little intimidating, especially if your competitors are strong on social media. Don\u2019t worry, says Luke Ferris, a Digital Marketing Specialist at Gordon Food Service. \u201cRemember that social media comes down to sharing information.\u201d<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t be shy about sharing visuals, he advises. Enticing food photos are great, but they\u2019re not the only possibility. \u201cOverselling your products with high-quality images that don\u2019t look like the food you serve can hurt you. If you don\u2019t have time to take a photo of your food, share a photo of your specials menu on a chalkboard\u2014sometimes it\u2019s helpful just to get the word out that you\u2019re open.\u201d Posting images of special occasions, upcoming musical acts or local celebrities eating your food builds an emotional connection with customers.<\/p>\n
When it comes to food photography, Ferris echoes earlier advice. But he also encourages having customers post authentic photos of your food. \u201cMake sure your social accounts are on your menu and on your door,\u201d Ferris says. \u201cCelebrate that people are enjoying your food, talking about it, and sharing it with friends.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Vibrant images attract customers and add life to your brand.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":5421,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-running-your-business"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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