I love food photography almost as much as I love eating. *insane statement, I know*

Somewhere in between begging hostesses for perfectly sunkissed window seats and posting Instagram pictures mid-meal, I realized I might have a minor addiction.

Thankfully, I've learned to appreciate cold food in exchange for a gorgeous shot... And you will, too.

What I love most about food photography is how it makes people feel. Any stranger can stumble across my foodcentric Instagram feed and connect with it. Maybe it makes them remember dunking warm chocolate chip cookies in milk as a kid. Or the time they splurged on a Michelin Star restaurant in New York City.

Food is a powerful force that brings us all together - at family dinners, celebrations, events and even on social media. Which brings me to you, my fellow foodie.

If you’re new to the blogging scene, I’m sure you want your photography to be nothing but PERFECT. Some people say perfection is unattainable, I say it's boring. The best food photos are the shots with personality. YOUR UNIQUE TOUCH. They're different, off-centered and stand out from the millions of photos being shared on the reg.

Set the tone for your blog with the following food photography tips!!

Melissa Santell | FOODXFEELS | Food Photography Tips

1. Shoot with Natural Light

Welcome to the yin to every food photographer's yang, and your new best friend, daylight. Natural light is the number one ingredient I use to emphasize texture, vibrancy and color in a photo. The first thing to note is that direct sunlight and softer natural light produce two different types of images. Direct sunlight can result in harsh glares and shadows, but it also comes with a dramatic look I happen to love. If you’re a beginner, diffused daylight coming through a restaurant window is the best place to start. It's the easiest type of light to shoot and more forgiving in the editing process. Pro trip: experiment with lighting food from the side to create soft shadows and a little extra depth.

2. Choose a Neutral Environment

Are you ready for a major pet peeve of mine? Chefs snapping pictures of gorgeous creations in an EXPO WINDOW. Unless you're capturing behind-the-scenes moments, or a dish being plated, food photographed on a metal work surface can make an image feel unfinished. For an engaging photo, take advantage of your favorite table or bar top in a restaurant and use that as your supporting aesthetic. When I'm shooting for clients, I leverage the textures and materials around me to help tell their story. Wood and darker surfaces lend themselves to a rustic vibe, while bright white granites and softer surfaces translate modern. The environment you shoot in is a solid introduction to the restaurant you’re blogging about.

3. Style the Entire Shot, Not Just the Food

This is where props come into the picture (pun intended). The same process for plating a single dish applies to styling an entire photo. I like to use fresh ingredients, charming utensils, napkins and cocktails to make each shot feel lived in and approachable. The easiest way to leverage this tip is to make sure every element helps tell the story behind your dish. And remember, our eyes crave symmetry and patterns! The way you arrange the shot tells your audience where to look first.

4. Find the Right Angle

Angles can enhance or destroy a photo. There are three key angles in food photography: straight-on, overhead and 45 degrees. Shoot straight-on when you want to capture height and movement, like a stack of cookies or a sugar dusting. Overhead shots are best for patterns, geometry and community style offerings like cheese and charcuterie boards. Finding the right perspective also means experimenting with depth of field, which brings us to the infamous 45-degree angle. This one happens to be my favorite and most used, especially when I want to focus on a specific item in the shot. Somehow Cacio e Pepe gorgeously twirled around a fork always finds its way into my focal point.

5. Adding a Human Element Makes a Huge Difference

Whether I'm shooting for social media, web or an email marketing campaign, I'm always hands-on, literally. I learned from monitoring client social media channels that when hands are included in food photography, engagement skyrockets (almost 30%!). It makes tons of sense when you stop to think about it. When your photography is interactive, it becomes inviting and relatable too. This is your chance to showcase the guest experience. Make it fun!

6. Clean or Perfectly Polished Nails are a Must

If you're going to hold a beautifully frosted eclair up into the sky, or anything else for that matter, please make sure your nails are presentable. There's nothing worse than a photo with chipped red nails or unmanicured paws outshining the food. "Sticking out like a sore thumb" is a cliché for this very reason. If your nails aren't camera-ready, ask someone else to model for you.

7. Edit Before You Upload

Editing your photos is like putting a cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. It's not necessary, but it helps complete the look. Editing gives you complete control over aesthetic and the opportunity to create a personal style. The best part is there are so many (free or nearly free) apps, like Snapseed and VSCO, that allow you to edit images right on your phone! If you prefer to edit on a desktop, try Adobe Lightroom Classic CC for endless editing functionality, including filter presets if you're a beginner. Ready, set, edit.

Still full of questions? Email me at melissa@foodxfeels.com or subscribe to my newsletter for fresh tips. If you decide photography isn't your thing, I'm happy to take the task off your plate! I’m always accepting new clients.

xo

Melissa