Tips on Taking Food Photos for a Restaurant Menu

A mouth-watering photograph on a menu can influence what restaurant guests order. However, food that looks delicious on a table often looks less appealing in a photograph. If you're photographing food for a restaurant menu, learn tips and tricks for making food look irresistible.

Find out the mood of the restaurant and menu so you can set up your shots appropriately. For example, if you're photographing desserts at a whimsical coffee shop, you might place cupcakes and cakes on textured scrapbook paper or a pretty doily. If the restaurant is a steakhouse with an earthy feel, you might photograph entrees with hearty side dishes placed against a wooden table. You can also use textured place mats, napkins, flowers or silverware to help create a mood.

If possible, photograph food in natural light. Food looks more appetizing under natural lighting and colors look more realistic. For example, take pictures by a window. You may still want to use flash, so experiment with several shots to determine the best lighting.

Keep the background of the shot simple. Food usually looks most appetizing when photographed from a low angle. Experiment with cropping; you don't have to show the whole dish in the photograph. Consider using close-up macro shots for foods that have appealing textures, such as baked goods or fresh vegetables. In addition, experiment with arranging food. A fruit pie might look most appealing with a neatly cut bite on a fork; steak and other meat often looks delicious sliced. You can also add sprigs of parsley, cinnamon sticks or other items as a garnish.

If your food is very perishable -- such as ice cream, which will melt, or salad, which will wilt -- use substitutes to set up the shot and then quickly add the original item. Sometimes you may need to use substitute items in actual photographs, such as fake ice. Consider brushing vegetable oil on dishes to make them more shiny and appealing. If you need to add bulk to dishes, use a polystyrene foam dome or a smaller bowl placed upside down. If you need hot steam, microwave wet cotton balls and hide them behind the dish.

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