If you have felt in love with food photography and want to make a living out of it or maybe have a side hustle, pay attention to these 5 tips for your first food photography photoshoot.
Food Photography tip # 1: Talk with your client
It will sound like an obvious tip, but it is more common to avoid talking straightforward with a client. Usually, you will start your communication through email or private message in this internet era. Please, take the time to jump to a call, video call or whatever you feel comfortable but try to speak to the person and understand their expectation.
Food Photography tip #2: Make a proposal
At the end of the call, you need to jump on your computer and send the client a proposal with what you understand he will need and send some examples of images that you can do for them.
Make clear the price you will charge and the deliverables they will get so that nobody will have any surprises.
Food Photography tip #3: Plan your shoot
Make a mood board or a list, whatever is more convenient for you and your client, a list of the dish you are shooting and the type of angles you are shooting so you will know what lenses to bring. (but I always advise you to get all your lense because you never know what can happen that day, and maybe you will see a hoot opportunity you didn’t think)
Take into consideration if you are shooting at your studio or in the client’s space to assess the light and ask for any particular area you need for the shoot.
Also, ask if they want you to bring a backdrop and props or work with their surfaces and utensils to mark the mood for their restaurant, blog, etc. If you are using the second option, try to see them beforehand to be prepared with the colour that could complement each dish.
Food Photography tip #4: Day of the shooting:
Make a checklist with all you need to bring to the shoot: backdrops, props, light stands, etc.
Make sure you have charged all your camera batteries the night before and bring some extra batteries for your other devices like a flash, trigger, etc. In Addition, always carry an additional SD card because you never know if it will fill up or not work correctly that day.
On the shoot, try to relax and flow with your work. Know that you are a professional and can troubleshoot anything that will happen if you plan. If you think that something will look better, make the suggestion politely. Remember, the client has hired you for your photography, so if you believe something will improve that shot, like changing a napkin, adding a prop, etc., make the suggestion. A good practice is to take an image with what they want and what you suggest. Usually, they will prefer your advice, but you have the other picture with their vision just in case.
Take as many images with different angles as you can to have a variety of where to choose for the final image.
Food Photography tip #5 Developing and delivering:
A good trick back in your studio is to work on the images as soon as possible. Therefore, you have all the clients’ requirements and vision to develop the pictures in your mind. Be consistent in the colour and light story throughout the development.
Finally, curate all the images and look for the best pictures to deliver to your client. You can do a preview with the client, so they can choose the best 10-20 (the number you agree to in your proposal)
These are my essential advice and tips for a first shoot, but I’m sure they will be more in the future. Just stay focused on your work and keep showing it to new clients. Don’t be afraid of this first shoot. You will rock it, and it is the first step to start growing. If you are around Adelaide, don’t hesitate to contact me, and we can chat more about it. I love to connect with other creatives.