We have all seen those social media accounts before. The enticing appeal of bloggers traveling around the world to exotic locations and enjoying delicious local foods that would make even the snobbiest of critics sit up at attention. The good news is that the traditional gatekeepers of this prized lifestyle have all gone the way of old-school marketing. Digital media has transformed the way we view our world, including the unique field of food photography.
Ever since Instagram first launched, the number of patrons snapping quick photos of their exceptional brunch meal has skyrocketed. More than half of all Americans take pictures of their food before they even take the first bite. That means if you are trying to make a go at being the next blogging version of Anthony Bourdain, you need to step up your food photography game.
My name is Nicco Leone, and I am a professional food photographer working around Italy’s fabled restaurants, bars, and cafes. I have spent years perfecting my skills and can immediately tell an amateur blogger from a seasoned professional, and I want to help. The more engaging food photos become, the more custom restaurants will open and thrive, offering delicious items to people like you and me. So here are a few of my tips for nailing down that perfect food blogger image for your next post.
- Use Your Angles
We have all tried that awkward smartphone shot of a perfectly formed dessert by holding our phone to our chest while biting our lip in hopes it comes out okay. That may work for bragging to your Aunt back in the states, but if you want to garner a ton of visitors, you need to try different angles. Find a way to showcase your dish’s unique ingredients and layers by snapping at different angles. - Use a Consistent Style
Visitors want to see your food photography voice. They want a story that captivates the mind, including consistent images based on your unique editing, lighting, and mood. Look at the food accounts you follow, and you will notice how they tend to have the same overall theme to their feeds. Nail down the setup you use when taking photos and continue to emulate that as you travel. - Dynamic Lighting & Textured Backgrounds
Please, for all that is holy, stop using overhead lighting. It paints horrible shadows on your food and makes it look like you are sitting in a chain restaurant with boring food inspirations.
Instead, utilize the natural lighting around the restaurant you are in. If you are sitting at an outdoor Florence café, try to time your food photography to the golden hours. If you are indoors, sit near a window or dim lighting that adds elements of depth to your presentation. Do not be afraid of colors, tones, and dimensions from a background texture that reflects your lighting choice. - Take Advantage of Props
Almost any restaurant you visit will have accessories, utensils, or subtle features representing their unique brand. This could be as simple as adding a serrated knife to steaming fresh loaf of Tuscany-style bread to your food photography or dusting the rest of your plate with the chocolate shavings from a delicious dessert. Have fun and experiment by adding props that do not take away from the food focal point, but add a neutral contrast to accentuate the ingredients and textures. - Get a Lens
Yes, you can always purchase an expensive camera to get a photo, but for my money, a quality lens goes a lot further. Food photography is all about setting the mood and telling a story. Lenses offer a specific style to your restaurant photographer’s bag of tricks that transcends new models because they can be screwed on the end of practically any camera body. - Do Not Overcorrect
When you do finally get those captivating food photos back to your apartment for uploading, try not to overcorrect the colors or tones. Visitors can tell when spinach is too green, or the martini with an olive is a shade it should not be. Stick to the intrinsic colors of the ingredients so the photos are more realistic for the viewer.
Follow Me for More Tips!
I have spent years as a professional food photographer all over Italy. You can see how I use lighting, tone, mood, and editing to develop a highly recognizable style sought after by brands on my Instagram page @niccoleone. I want these photos to give you inspiration for your own food blogging pursuits because I know the more attention paid to quality meals and mouth-watering delights, the better we all eat!
Send me a DM if you want to connect online or visit my new website at niccoleone.com. I have just opened my studio to international collaborations and would be more than happy to expand your latest blog article with stunning food photography from local Italy restaurants and eateries. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing your blogs in action!
