In the world of food photography, it’s easy to feel like every beautiful marble surface, rustic linen napkin, and perfectly drizzled honey shot has already been done. If you’ve ever stared at a blank table feeling like you’re just “copying” others, Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist is the reality check you need.
The truth? Nothing is completely original. Every great recipe is a riff on a classic; every iconic lighting setup is a nod to a Dutch Master painter.
Here are four core concepts from the book reimagined for food creators and brands to help you stop worrying about being “first” and start being “better.”
Kleon argues that you are a mashup of what you let into your life. In food photography, this means curated inspiration. Don’t just browse Instagram—collect.
The Pro Move: Create a “Lighting & Mood” folder. Don’t just save food shots; save movie stills with great shadows, architectural textures, or even colour palettes from vintage travel posters.
The Why: When you’re stuck on a shoot, you’re not looking for a “pancake shot” to copy; you’re looking for a mood to translate.
Many creators wait for a “signature style” before they start posting seriously. Kleon’s advice? Start copying. By trying to mimic the greats, you’ll inevitably fail—and in those “failures” lies your actual style.
The Exercise: Take a photo by your favourite photographer and try to recreate it exactly. You’ll find you can’t quite match their light or their propping. That gap between their work and yours? That’s where your unique voice lives.
There is a massive difference between plagiarism (taking from one person and moving on) and art (taking from ten people and mixing them together).
| Plagiarism | Creative Stealing |
| Copying one person’s specific setup. | Studying the lighting of one, the plating of another. |
| Imitating without understanding. | Analysing why a certain texture works. |
| Taking the credit. | Honouring the influence. |
Computers are great for editing, but they are terrible for generating ideas because they encourage the “delete” key too early. Kleon suggests having an Analog and a Digital workspace.
In the Studio: Before you touch the camera, use a sketchbook. Scribble the shapes of the plates. Physicalise the mess. Smear some sauce. Play with the ingredients like a kid before you worry about the pixels.
“You are, in fact, a mashup of what you choose to let into your life.”
— Austin Kleon
Next time you’re prepping a shoot, don’t ask “How can I make this original?” Ask “What can I remix?” Take the colour palette from a 70s cookbook, the minimalist composition of a modern tech ad, and the lighting of a rainy afternoon.
That mix is something only you can create.
