The Art of Food Photography & Styling

Part of the Food Photography & Styling Series | Season 1, Guest Post #7

Food photography is so much more than pointing a camera at a beautiful plate of food.

There is the light, the background, the props, the composition, the angle, the colours and, most importantly, the story you want the photograph to tell.

Over the years, I have realised that a good food photograph does not necessarily come from an expensive camera or a cupboard full of beautiful props. It comes from learning to see the food differently.

For this edition of my Food Photography and Styling series, I am delighted to welcome someone whose food photographs have always inspired me.

She cooks, bakes, photographs, styles and collects food props with equal passion. Her photographs have a beautiful earthy, rustic character, and many of them tell a story even before you read the recipe.

Yes, I am talking about Deeba Rajpal of Passionate About Baking.

I am so happy that Deeba took time out from her busy schedule to share her thoughts on food photography, food styling, props, backgrounds and lighting.

So, over to Deeba…

“Food supports a story. Remember, there is a story behind everything you shoot.” — Adam Pearson

Finding Your Own Food Photography Style

When Lubna from Yummy Food asked me to do a guest post on food photography, it was an instant yes.

I still wish there were more hours in a day to get me off auto mode! I am not a technical photographer, so this post is not going to be about complicated camera settings.

Instead, I want to talk about the part of food photography that I enjoy most—framing, styling, light, props and finding your own visual language.

Take a look at food blogs and you will find an endless source of inspiration. Beautiful photographs make you want to experiment. You suddenly want better equipment, prettier props, different backgrounds and more interesting ways of presenting food.

But somewhere along the way, it is important to stop trying to imitate everyone else.

For me, one of the greatest compliments is when someone sees a photograph on Facebook, Flickr, Pinterest or a food photography website and immediately knows that it is mine.

That is when you know you have developed a style of your own.

Your food photographs do not have to look like anyone else’s.

Experiment. Observe. Make mistakes. Try again.

Eventually, your photographs will begin to carry your own little signature.

Let Your Food Tell a Story

Food supports a story. That thought is something I keep coming back to whenever I photograph.

Every recipe has a story behind it. It may be a family recipe, something you baked for a celebration, a simple weekday meal or something you discovered while travelling.

Your photograph can help tell that story. Think about what you want the viewer to feel when they look at the image.

Is it warm and comforting? Fresh and summery? Rustic and traditional? Elegant and celebratory?

Once you know the mood, choosing the background, props, colours and light becomes much easier.

Build Your Food Photography Prop Collection Slowly

Food photography can make you develop a serious love for props!

I have spent years collecting little bits and pieces. Some are beautiful crockery, some are old kitchenware and others are simply objects that caught my eye because I knew they might work in a photograph.

But you don’t need to buy everything at once.

Start small.

If you have only one choice, I would suggest investing in simple white crockery.

White plates and bowls are wonderfully versatile. They work with almost every kind of food, complement different backgrounds and allow the food to remain the star.

Over the years, I have collected pieces from different places, including simple ceramics and handmade crockery.

I also love old vintage pots and pans.

Some have come from little shops, some from family cupboards and some from unexpected roadside finds. Each piece has its own story, and that story often becomes part of the photograph.

One of my favourite finds was an old handcrafted wooden box with metal cutwork. I restored it and eventually turned it into a little home for my growing collection of food photography props.

You don’t always need a “food prop”.

Sometimes an old box, wooden board, piece of fabric or vintage kitchen object can add just the right amount of character.

Choose Props That Support the Food

Beautiful props can make a photograph interesting, but too many props can also distract from the food.

Before arranging your scene, decide what the hero of the photograph is.

It should almost always be the food.

Try working with a simple theme or colour palette. If your dish has warm earthy colours, wooden boards, old metalware and neutral fabrics may work beautifully.

If the food is colourful, simple white crockery may allow those colours to stand out.

Think about the whole frame rather than each individual object.

A prop is successful when it supports the photograph without demanding attention.

Experiment With Different Food Photography Backgrounds

Changing the background can completely change the mood of a photograph.

White is one of my favourite choices because it is clean, simple and versatile. I have used white boards as inexpensive backgrounds because they are easy to move around and easy to clean.

Wooden crates, weathered boards and rustic surfaces can create a completely different feeling.

I particularly enjoy distressed and unfinished textures. They add warmth and character without making the photograph feel too polished.

You don’t need an expensive collection of photography boards.

Look around your home.

An old wooden table, chopping board, tray, piece of fabric or even a simple neutral surface can become part of your setup.

The trick is to experiment with what you already have.

Food Photography Lighting: Learn to See the Light

Good light can make an ordinary photograph look beautiful.

I generally prefer natural light, but rather than following one fixed rule, I encourage you to experiment.

Try photographing the same dish with the light coming from different directions.

Place the food near a window.

Try side lighting.

Then try backlighting.

Take a few photographs and compare them.

You will quickly notice how the direction and intensity of light change the mood, shadows, colours and textures of the photograph.

Don’t be afraid of shadows either.

Shadows can add depth and dimension. Sometimes a photograph with gentle shadows feels much more natural and atmospheric than one that is completely flat and evenly lit.

Find a spot in your home where you like the quality of light and spend some time getting to know it.

The best photography setup doesn’t have to be complicated.

Sometimes, it is simply a good window, a table and the right time of day.

Try Different Angles

There is no single “correct” angle for every dish.

Some foods look beautiful when photographed from directly above.

Others need a lower angle to show height and texture.

Cakes, layered desserts and tall dishes can benefit from a slightly lower viewpoint, while flat dishes, thalis and beautifully arranged spreads can work particularly well from above.

Take several photographs from different angles.

Don’t decide that an image is going to work before you have tried it.

The camera sees things differently from our eyes.

Something that looks beautiful in front of you may look surprisingly flat through the lens. And something that seems ordinary in real life may photograph beautifully.

That is why experimentation matters.

Don’t Let Inspiration Take Away Your Personal Style

Food blogs and food photography websites are wonderful places to learn.

I find endless inspiration in other people’s work.

But there is a fine line between being inspired and trying to recreate someone else’s style.

Look at photographs.

Study how the light falls.

Notice the colours.

Observe the composition.

Then put the screen away and try something of your own.

Your home, your food, your props and your way of seeing are different from everyone else’s.

That is what will eventually make your photographs special.

And sometimes, ask someone else for an opinion.

I often get tired of looking at my own photographs and ask Mr PAB what he thinks. His perspective can be completely different from mine.

Of course, I don’t always take criticism very well!

But stepping away from your own work can help you see things you may have missed.

Plan Your Food Photography Session

Planning makes food photography much easier.

If possible, decide beforehand:

• What food are you photographing?
• Which plate or bowl will you use?
• Which background works with it?
• What colour palette do you want?
• Where is the best natural light?
• Which props do you need?
• Which angles do you want to try?

Even a rough plan can save time.

Food photography can become a little chaotic when you are running around the house carrying food, props, cameras and boards!

And if you have children, pets or a busy household, finding a quiet time can make the whole process much more enjoyable.

Find the time of day when you have the best light and the fewest interruptions.

Then enjoy the process.

Take Lots of Photographs and Keep Experimenting

One of the best things you can do to improve your food photography is simply to practise.

Take the same photograph in different light.

Move the plate.

Change the background.

Remove half the props.

Try a different angle.

Take one photograph with plenty of negative space and another with a tighter composition.

Then compare them.

You will start noticing what works for you.

Over time, you will also become more confident about what you like—and just as importantly, what you don’t like.

There is no perfect formula for food photography.

What works beautifully for one photograph may not work for another.

Your Food Photography Style Will Evolve

When you first start photographing food, it is natural to look at other bloggers and wonder how they create such beautiful photographs.

Don’t worry about having the perfect camera, the perfect lens or the perfect collection of props.

Start with what you have.

Learn to understand light.

Pay attention to composition.

Keep the food as the hero.

Experiment with backgrounds and colours.

And most importantly, develop a style that feels like you.

Your photography will change as you learn.

Mine certainly has.

The things I loved photographing years ago may not be the things I love today. That is part of the fun.

Food photography is a journey.

Keep clicking, keep experimenting and keep enjoying it.

And remember—

there is a story behind everything you shoot.

About Deeba Rajpal

Deeba Rajpal is the food blogger and photographer behind Passionate About Baking. Her work beautifully combines food, photography, styling and storytelling.

Thank you, Lubna, for having me over at your beautiful kitchen.

You can find Deeba through her website and social media.

More Food Photography & Styling

If you enjoyed this post, don’t stop here. Continue exploring the Food Photography and Styling series on Kitchen Flavours for more practical ideas on backgrounds, props, lighting, composition, focus, plating and food photography.