For Your Instagram: Five Tips For Better Food Shots

March 23, 2018

You’ve probably seen Instagram accounts of finely curated food photos. Aside from eliciting pangs of hunger, these vibrant profiles offer visual inspiration to make your Instagram feed look mouthwatering.

Taking photos of your eating adventures is definitely not as easy as it looks. But you don’t need to be a pro photographer to improve your shots. Here are helpful tips and tricks that can make your food photos look so much better for the ‘gram.

1. Compose Your Shot

Think beautiful food photos happen by accident? Think again. People with solid food shots often think like stylists who need to strategically plan out their feeds and compose their photos tastefully and with balance.

If you’re serious about this, take the time to put thought into what you are doing. Sometimes, you need to wait for the right moment to capture the perfect shot. Experiment with the background. Adjust the table napkin for a pop of color. Add a human touch. You might need to wait a little while before you can enjoy your food, but when the likes, comments, and followers flow in, it will be worth it.

2. Play With Color

Use color strategically to make your photos look more appealing. Play with complementary shades. You can also use clashing colors to make the photo stand out.

Want your account to be more eye-catching? Try thinking of a theme for your grid. This might require some planning, but you will have a gorgeous profile that will keep people entertained on your page for hours!

For Your Instagram: Five Tips For Better Food Shots

3. Try Different Angles

The angle of your camera is one of the most important aspects that will affect the overall appeal of your picture. Try to imagine which angle works best for each shot. For example, you can zoom in really close if you want to highlight textures (especially popular technique with indulgent foods) or you can shoot from above if you want to play with a lot of elements. The more you do this, the more creative your shots will get.

4. Look For Good Lighting

More often than not, harsh indoor lighting can ruin your shot by making food look unappetizing. You don’t need to be a pro to know how lighting can change the way your photos look. Go for natural lighting if you can – this makes outdoor restaurants a great option!

For Your Instagram: Five Tips For Better Food Shots

5. Maximize the Venue

It’s always good to eat in a photogenic restaurant because you have a multitude of options for capturing unique, artistic shots, with minimal effort. You can use the quirky decor to add texture or maybe take artful shots using the scenic background.

Have you seen Carnitas’ Snack Shack Embarcadero? This hip and vibrant, waterfront hotspot is the perfect backdrop for your drool-worthy food shots. Plus, you’ll be surprised at how amazing our tacos, sandwiches, and drinks photograph on Instagram.