Hiiiiii – I know.  Where are the sprinkles and chocolate and something delicious?  Come back tomorrow!  Today is a day for food photography tips!

I am actually getting to the point where I know some tiny things about food photography.  Crazy, right???  This was a focus of mine over the last month, particularly as David got me a new camera for Christmas.  And you know what??  My baby blog traffic DOUBLED.  More than doubled.  In the last 30 days.  And while I know NOTHING when compared to the big league bloggers (you know nothing, Jon Snow), I try to share what I do know when I can since those big leaguers have been so kind in doing that for yours truly.

So . . . here are my five food photography tips I wish I’d know when I started this crazy blogging thing . . .

1.  Watch the Clock. 

What to do?

Many new food bloggers are working a full-time job.  (Or full-time+.  <raising hand> over here.)  This means that recipe testing and photo shoots are often shot at random times during the day, whenever you can fit it in.

TIP:  Keep a record of what food you shot at what time of day.

For Example:

Food	Time of Day	Notes (optional)
Champagne Donuts	2:00 PM	No diffuser, no reflector.
Salted Toffee Cookies w/ Chocolate Chips	12:30 PM	Diffuser, no reflector.

Why should you do it?

Even when editing your photos, you’ll get that gut feeling of “yes – got great photos!”  or “bummer – these didn’t turn out the way I hoped.”

Start recognizing what time will give you the light and shadows that you like. The time will be unique for every person based on where they live, what direction their windows face, etc.  As much as your schedule allows, aim for those times that have made you happy before.  This will allow you to quickly improve, because it removes one less unpredictable variable from your photo shoot.  You will be used to and understand the light.  And you will know what to expect from the end shot.  Of all the food photography tips I’ve learned, this is the one that I wish I had started at the very beginning.

2.  Embrace the Imperfect Beauty.

What to do?

Those crumbs that fell off the cookie?  That flour that POOFed into the air and has settled over everything?  That sauce that drizzled across your background?

Don’t touch it.  Just pick up the camera and shoot.

Why should you do it?

a.  Accessibility.

Having a perfect cake that looks perfect in your perfectly cleaned kitchen with everything perfectly in place is . . . too perfect.  You want your reader to envision themselves making your recipe, in their kitchen.  And we all know that nobody’s kitchen is that perfect after they’ve made a five layer butter-creamed masterpiece.  (If you are the one person who somehow does pull that miracle off . . . congratulations . . . we can’t be friends.)

b.  Relatability.

You know how everyone has two categories of friends?  First – those for whom you shower, do your hair, pick up your house, and pretend to have it all together.  Second – those who let themselves in, know there is a 50% chance you might not be wearing pants, and for whom you don’t pick up a darn thing.

Which friends do you want to invite over?  Exactly.  Let your hair down.  Let the crumbs be.

c.  Finally, it really does add a little somethin’ somethin’.

Exhibit A – one of my old photos:

So clean. So white.  So boring.

Exhibit B – some more recent messy photos:

Peppermint fell off. Chocolate drizzles everywhere. I grabbed the Christmas-y craft stuff sitting next to the photo shoot and threw it everywhere. Fun. Real.

The peanut butter was too oily and settled into a droopy pile of peanut butter with an escaped dollop next to it.  The dog walked by, knocking my light-absorbing poster board over, which knocked the jar of granola over, and I loved it.  I threw some more around for extra effect.  Sweet.  No smoothie bowl is complete without loads of granola anyway.

So embrace the mess.

3.  Get Creative with What You’ve Got.

What to do?

Inventory what you need and compare with what you’ve got.  Improvise. Get creative.

For example:

NEED	GOT
Reflector	Flash light, white printer paper, white pillow case, tin foil
Diffuser	Tissue paper, sheer white shirt, lightweight printer paper
Absorber	Dark cardstock, dark pillow case or other fabric
Photo Background	Cookie sheet, your hardwood floor, bookcase backing, cutting board, parchment paper

Why should you do it?

There are many photography tools, such as those listed above, that will dramatically increase your ability to get a good photo by increasing your control over the light.  Don’t avoid using these tools just because you think it will cost you a fortune—use what you’ve already got. When I first started blogging, most of my photos were shot on our hardwood floor in the living room.  Super glamorous, right???  Then I made a DIY background for under $15.  Even now, I use the backing to our entertainment center that we never actually attached.  It was sitting in our closet, waiting to be thrown out, and now it’s my go-to background!

4.  Find A Style – Do Your Homework.

What to do?

Figure out what you like.

Bright, white photography filled with light?  Dark, moody photography filled with shadows?  Food photos with lots of bright colors?  Monochromatic food photos?

Stalk those who do what you like.

• First, the more you study that type of photography and applicable food photography tips, the more those characteristics will shine through when you are framing, staging, and lighting your own photo shoots.
• Second, YOUTUBE, people.  There is a tutorial out there for everything!  Don’t be afraid to hit up google for all manner of questions!
• Third, gather ideas!  Are you going to be photographing blueberry muffins?  Google images of blueberry muffins and see what stands out as something you like.  I’m NOT saying copy those photos.  But gather ideas, such as scattering blueberries, using a cooling rack, buttering a sliced muffin, etc.

Why should you do it?

You are not the first person to photograph [fill-in-recipe-here].  You are not the first person to wonder, “[fill-in-your-question-here].”  Do not re-invent the wheel.  Study what others have done to learn what you like and what you don’t like.  Take advantage of our information-overload generation and educate yourself!

5.  Practice, practice, practice – without pressure.

What to do?

Practice your photography on items that were NOT made for the blog. Did your husband come home from the grocery store with donuts when what you really needed is milk and something resembling real food?  (David did.)  Perfect.  Use those.  Implement those food photography tips you’re always reading about.

Why should you do it?

There is a lot of pressure when you’re doing a photo shoot for the blog.  You want to get it just right.  If it’s a cheesy shot, you want to shoot fast, so you get that perfect cheese pull.  If it’s an ice cream cake, you want to shoot fast before you have a melty mess on your hands.  The last thing you have time for is trying to incorporate the numerous food photography tips you have floating around in your head.

But when you’re practicing, you do NOT need to use your own food!  Make it quick and easy on yourself.  Buy that delicious looking tiramisu at the grocery store.  Removing the pressure allows you to play with new settings, new tools, different lighting, etc.

And don’t think of it as a waste of time!!!  First, implementing and practicing the various food photography tips you’ve read about will drastically improve your shots for the blog.  Second, use the good shots you got of donuts from the grocery store!!!  Post them to your Instagram and tell everyone how your husband came home with donuts and how you need a donut recipe, now.  You don’t have to offer up a recipe EVERY time you post.  If the option is not posting at all versus posting a pic of grocery-bought food, the answer is clear.  Engage!  Encourage engagement!  And practice, practice, practice!