Perfecting your food photography setup can make the difference between an image that pops and one that falls flat. A good setup will help you capture the textures, colors, and overall mouth-watering appeal of your dish. Whether you’re shooting for social media, a blog, or a professional portfolio, setting up your food photography correctly is key. Here are the top 10 food photography set up tips to take your photos to the next level.
1. Use Natural Light to Enhance Your Dish
Lighting is arguably the most important aspect of food photography, and natural light is often the best source for capturing your dishes in a fresh, appetizing way. Artificial lighting can sometimes make food look too harsh or unappealing, but natural light brings out the colors and textures without distorting them.
The best way to achieve soft, even lighting is by placing your setup near a large window. The diffused light will help reduce shadows and prevent overexposed areas. However, avoid direct sunlight, as it can cast harsh shadows or cause unwanted glare.
Pro Tip: If natural light is too harsh, use a light diffuser such as a sheer white curtain, wax paper, or a professional diffuser to soften it. You can also use reflectors to bounce light back onto the dish and eliminate shadows. Silver reflectors give a brighter bounce, while white reflectors offer a softer look.
Learn more about setting up natural light for food photography.
2. Choose a Simple Background to Complement the Food
In food photography, the background should support and enhance the food, not compete with it. Choosing the right background is essential for maintaining a clean, professional look. Simplicity is often best, as it ensures that the food remains the focal point.
Rustic wooden surfaces, marble slabs, or plain neutral backgrounds are popular choices because they add texture and depth without drawing attention away from the dish. The background’s color should also complement the food. For example, light-colored plates on a dark background can make the dish stand out, while darker foods work well on lighter backgrounds.
Pro Tip: A solid white or gray background is a versatile option that works with almost any type of dish. You can also layer the background with simple props like linen napkins or cutting boards to add subtle texture.
Find out how to choose the best backgrounds for food photography.
3. Master Composition Techniques for a Balanced Look
The way you arrange your food and props in the frame is just as important as the dish itself. Composition plays a key role in guiding the viewer’s eye to the most appetizing parts of the image. One common technique is the rule of thirds, where you imagine your frame divided into three sections horizontally and vertically. Placing the dish off-center along one of these lines creates balance and draws the viewer’s attention naturally.
Pro Tip: For a dynamic and engaging shot, try layering items in the foreground, middle, and background. For example, in a breakfast scene, place a stack of pancakes in the center, a cup of coffee in the background, and some fresh berries in the foreground to create depth and context.
Leading Lines and Diagonals
Leading lines help direct the viewer’s eye toward the focal point of the image. Diagonal lines, such as the edge of a table or a knife angled toward the plate, create movement and keep the viewer engaged.
Explore how composition affects your food photography setup.
4. Play with Angles to Highlight Different Features
The angle you choose when photographing food can dramatically change the way it looks. Each dish has its best angle, depending on its shape, size, and texture.
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Overhead (Flat Lay): This is one of the most popular angles in food photography, especially for dishes with a lot of components, like a breakfast spread or a charcuterie board. It’s perfect for capturing the full layout of the dish and any accompanying props.
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45-Degree Angle: A 45-degree angle is ideal for foods that need to showcase both the top and side. This angle works particularly well for layered dishes like cakes, burgers, or sandwiches because it captures both the texture and height.
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Straight-On: Shooting from the side is a great way to show off the structure of the dish. This angle works well for tall dishes like cakes, stacks of pancakes, or sandwiches.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Take multiple shots from different angles and see which one best highlights the most appetizing features of the dish.
Learn how to choose the best angles for food photography.
5. Style Your Food for Maximum Appeal
Styling is everything in food photography. The way the dish is arranged on the plate, how the garnishes are placed, and even the type of plates you use can greatly affect how appetizing the food looks.
When styling your food, think about how to make it look fresh and vibrant. Use colorful garnishes, like fresh herbs, to add a pop of color. Keep the plating clean and minimal to avoid distractions. Wiping away any spills or smudges on the plate ensures the final image looks polished.
Pro Tip: Sometimes less is more. Focus on a few key ingredients rather than overloading the plate. A simple sprig of mint or a sprinkle of coarse salt can make the dish look even more appealing.
Use Fresh Ingredients for a Vibrant Look
Freshness is key to making food look appetizing in photographs. Wilted greens or stale-looking ingredients can make even the most well-cooked meal look unappetizing. Whenever possible, use the freshest ingredients and cook your dish right before photographing.
Pro Tip: If your fresh ingredients start to look dull, spray a light mist of water on them to give them a fresh, dewy look.
Discover expert food styling tips.
6. Add Simple Props to Create a Story
Props can help create a story around your food, but they should never overshadow the dish. The right props, such as utensils, glasses, or napkins, can give context to the dish and make the photo feel more authentic.
For example, if you’re photographing a rustic dish like homemade bread, consider using wooden boards, linen napkins, or vintage utensils to complement the style of the food. For a more modern dish, opt for sleek, minimalist props.
Pro Tip: Props should always serve to enhance the photo, not distract from the main subject. Keep them subtle and cohesive with the overall theme of the dish.
Learn how to use props effectively in food photography.
7. Control Shadows to Enhance Texture
Shadows add depth and dimension to your food photos. However, too much shadow can make the food look unappetizing. Controlling the shadows in your food photography setup will give your images a polished and professional look.
Pro Tip: Use a white or silver reflector to bounce light back onto the dish and soften any harsh shadows. This technique works especially well when shooting in natural light.
Read more on controlling shadows in food photography.
8. Focus on Fresh Ingredients
Fresh ingredients make your food look more appetizing in photos. Wilted greens or dull produce can make even the best dish look unappealing. Always use the freshest ingredients possible and photograph your food shortly after preparation.
Pro Tip: Mist vegetables or fruits with water just before photographing to give them a fresh, dewy look.
Check out more tips for showcasing fresh ingredients in food photography.
9. Post-Process for the Final Touch
After you've taken your food photos, post-processing helps refine them. This is where you can adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance to ensure the food looks as appetizing as possible. Tools like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are excellent for this,
but AI-powered tools like Assembo.ai can also speed up the process and help you achieve consistent results.
Pro Tip: Be careful not to over-process. The food should still look natural, so subtle adjustments often work best. Increasing saturation too much can make the food look unnatural and unappetizing.
Learn more about post-processing for food photography.
10. Choose the Right Lens for the Final Shot
The lens you use plays a significant role in capturing the beauty of the food. A macro lens or a 50mm prime lens is perfect for close-up shots that highlight the textures and fine details of the dish. These lenses allow you to focus on specific areas of the food while blurring out the background, making the dish the star of the shot.
For wider shots that include table settings or multiple dishes, a wider lens might be more appropriate. But for most food photography, a 50mm or 85mm lens will give you the versatility and detail needed for mouthwatering photos.
Pro Tip: A macro lens works especially well for detailed shots of ingredients like spices, icing, or the crispy crust of bread.
Check out the best lenses for food photography.
Final Thoughts
Mastering your food photography setup takes practice and creativity. By focusing on natural light, simple backgrounds, good composition, and proper styling, you can create stunning, mouth-watering food images. And with tools like Assembo.ai, you can simplify the process and achieve professional results quickly.