I set up photoshoots for every blog post I create (plus for paid client work as well). Below are my five essentials for a photoshoot, and also some photos of the photography set up and what the finished product ends up looking like.
5 Essentials for a Food Photoshoot
Camera - The first and most obvious thing is a camera! I use an Olympus EM-10, which is a mirrorless (or compact system) camera with a 40-150mm lens, and more recently a 25mm lens as well. I have been using my camera for a few years now, and (after much practice!) I use it on manual settings, though I am still always learning something new!
Background - I have a few backgrounds to chose from. I have a couple I have bought (such as those from Capture by Lucy & FoodBackgrounds on Etsy), as well as a marble top from an old dresser that we kept after the dresser had to be thrown away. I also use our black granite kitchen bench and an old pine table (pictured in the photo above). I tend to like using the bought backgrounds most as they are portable, which means I can set up a shoot wherever the light is best at the time, or can be taken to client work too.
Natural Light - This is one of the most important aspects of my blog photoshoots. All my photos are shot in natural light, and I often go to great lengths to get it! Sometimes I set up my shoot outside, but most often it will be by a window or on the floor with a door open next to it. In the photo above there was an open door to the left of the shot to bring in natural light, as well as closed windows behind.
Props - I have accumulated lots of 'props' over the years! I have a few different cake stands, a stack of various plates, different mugs and cups as well as lots of old cutlery. Some things I buy specifically for photography, others are things we just have at home (my Mum has been a collector of antiques and vintage for many years) and others I have been given or inherited from my Grandma.
Food - Of course!! Without some food my blog photoshoots wouldn't be complete! I usually shoot the recipe straight after it has been cooked, and plan my day around when the recipe will be finished and when the natural light of the day will be best to shoot in. I think about how the end product will look, and what food related props might be necessary for the shoot. For example in the photo above I have a few fresh raspberries in the shot as the cake has them inside and as decoration.
Click on the each image below for more information on the shoot set up.
