47 Food Product Photography Ideas
Discover delicious food product photography ideas to make your dishes and packaged goods stand out. From overhead shots to styled scenes, learn how to capture mouthwatering images that drive engagement and sales.
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Open jar
Open the jar and put a spoon inside
Contrast
Contrast the colors of the dish with the plate and background
Whole ingredients
Include the whole ingredients before processing
Low light
Use low light for a sophisticated feel
Half and half
Split the dish into two halves
Balancing
Make the product balance
Ingredients
Show all the ingredients in the background
Basket
Put the food in a basket
Newspaper/artwork
Show the product on some newspaper or busy artwork
Bite
Show that someone has started eating
Rays of light
Use rays of natural light to highlight small details
Up close
Show the fine details
Top down
Like you would see in a restaurant
Geometric
Organise the food geometrically
Cracked
Show the product cracked, as it would be when eaten
Condiments
Show the dish with common condiments
Mid-preparation
Show the dish being prepared
Pouring syrup
Pour syrup or some other related condiment over your food
Sliced
Just before serving
Sliced open
Works great with sandwiches and burgers
Mid-air shot
Show the food falling through the air
Geometric contrast
Visually interesting
Chilled
Show the product chilled
Flying ingredients
Show the ingredients flying out of the pan
Side shot
It's not just burgers you can do side shots with
Black background
Works well with bright colored food
Abundance
There's plenty to go around
Spice overload
Lot of different colors and tetures
On a table
Place the food on a table
Side shot
The classic McDonalds-style side shot
Complementing colors
Effective use of complementing colors emphasizes the item
Garnish
Add garnish to make the food look appetising
Props
Use props related to cooking or ingredients of the food
Short depth of focus
Short depth of focus to highlight the food
Afternoon tea
Prepare the food as if you're serving it to someone
Baking
Baking in the oven
Negative space
Use negative space to highlight the food
Bright light
Light and pleasant
Garden
Show the food being picked directly from a garden
Spilling
Spilling out of a jar
Mid-air dice
More tricky but eye-catching
Action shot
Create a disturbance for an interesting shot
Stacked
Stack the food on top of each other
Multiple
Show multiple different dishes in the same shot
Adding sauce
Show the product being prepared, right before eating
Neat presentation
Organize all the parts of the dish nicely
Lineup
Organize a lineup of the product and other related props
FAQs about Food product photography
How do you make food look good in photography?
Use natural light from the side or back to avoid harsh shadows. Keep the food fresh—spritz fruits or veggies with water to make them look fresh, or brush meats with oil for shine. Use props like plates, napkins, or cutting boards that match the food’s style but don’t distract from it. Edit the photo lightly to boost color and sharpness.
What makes a good food product picture?
A good product photo is clear, well-lit, and focused on the product. The background should be clean or styled to match the brand. The product should be shown from helpful angles, with details visible. Colors should be true to real life, and the image should look professional, not cluttered.
What foods are easy to photograph?
Foods that hold their shape and color are easiest—think cookies, sandwiches, pizza, or fruits like apples and berries. Avoid foods that melt, wilt, or change color quickly, like ice cream or avocado.
How to create food photography?
Start with natural light near a window. Use a simple background and arrange the food neatly. Try different angles—overhead for flat foods, 45 degrees for height. Use props like utensils or fabric to add interest. Take lots of photos and pick the best one. Edit slightly to make colors pop.
What camera should I use for food photos?
A DSLR or mirrorless camera is great, but you can also use a smartphone with good lighting and focus. Use portrait mode or manual settings if possible.
Do I need a lightbox for food photography?
No, natural light is usually better for food. A lightbox can work for packaged products, but for meals, window light gives a more natural, appetizing look.
How do I style food for photos?
Use small portions, clean edges, and arrange items neatly. Add texture—crumbs, drips, or steam—to make it feel real. Use colors that go well together and leave some empty space so it doesn’t look crowded.