Tips & tricks for capturing food and drinks in restaurants!

When I started food photography, I started shooting for restaurants and hotels before I moved into studio work. I absolutely love it for so many reasons, but it is stressful, and when not prepped effectively … it can be a disaster. 
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So, I wanted to share these tips, which may help you if you are just starting out, or just need a little extra push in the right direction!

Firstly, Speak to Your Client Ahead of Time And Get A Shot List.

Understanding what you will be shooting on the day is vital in order to prepare and pack your bag correctly and also get an idea of what to expect. Before any food photography shoot, it’s incredibly helpful to write out the shot list and develop a pre-pro.

​A pre-pro is a pre-production document that defines the creative vision and the shot list for the shoot. This will get figured out beforehand and is a great way to ensure that you and the client are aligned on the expectations and deliverables ahead of time. It’s very important to bring the pre-pro and shot list with you to help you stay on track.

Plan For Your Lighting and Pack Correctly.

Restaurants vary in the type of lighting you’ll have to work with. Some restaurants have lots of windows and a lot of gorgeous natural light pouring in – these are a DREAM. Others have a darker vibe, which can be really beautiful for dining, but can be trickier to work with from a photography perspective. Without light, you need to heighten your ISO and open your aperture to a point where the depth of field is too shallow and the image is noisy.
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Pack the correct equipment - When you have the shot list and have researched the venue, you will understand what equipment you will need. Bring multiple lenses, lights, reflectors, and your tripod. 

Ask for food to be Re-Plated When Needed.

When you are starting out, this can be awkward, in fact even now for me, it’s a little awkward but vital. If food comes out looking messy, don’t hesitate to send it back to be re-plated. If the food comes out too early and sits for too long, don’t be afraid to ask the kitchen to remake it.

Try not to feel bad about doing this either. Overall, the client will thank you when they receive beautiful, fresh imagery instead of dull, old and dry looking food images. 

Lastly - Eat!

Make sure you are not turning up to a shoot hungry. It will do you no favours.

Not only will you be on your feet for a long time, you cannot expect to eat when there, even when shooting food. I usually pack a few cereal bars and some nuts/seeds to keep me going through the shoot.  

Hope this helps you, but of course, if you ever need help, I'm here to answer any questions!

Speak soon!

Ally
xoxo