Having polished and professional-looking pictures for your business is crucial to making a good first impression. The photos you post online could make or break getting a new loyal customer. Don’t fret – we’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to take better photos so your creations can SHINE!

Rule #1: Show up as authentically as possible.

When preparing your dishes for your photoshoot, make sure you are plating them exactly how you would when a customer would order it. It may be tempting to play around with the presentation when trying to capture a good photo, but you don’t want to deceive your customers before they even get a chance to take a bite. Instead, re-think your angles and lighting.

Rule #2: Lighting and angles are the key to success here.

Investing in equipment to help set the scene doesn’t need to break the bank, but if you want a more elevated approach, you should consider checking out some of the options to help make your creations stand out. You’ll be amazed at how these small lighting improvements can help brighten up a photo and bring your creations to life to captivate your audience and drive more business.

For just under $400 you could find a mobile photoshoot stand on wheels that can help transform each picture into an entirely new setting. For something more affordable, you can even check out a $30-$40 lightbox that will guarantee to take your photos to the next level.

Now that you’ve got your lighting down, make sure you’re positioning your camera (or phone) so that you capture all of the best features of your creation. Sometimes taking one straight on, or aerial, doesn’t show off all of the details of the dish and could cause shadowing - just stay patient, and try out a new angle until you get the shot!

Rule #3: Capture in the format designed for the platform.

Whether using an iPhone or professional camera, there are different settings that are designed for different platforms. For example, if you need a horizontal banner image for your website, make sure to turn your phone sideways – but if you’re capturing something for social media, look at the settings on the top of the photo app to choose different dimensions to fit your needs.

Pro tip: if using an iPhone, check out “portrait mode” and make sure to clean your lenses good for the sharpest results!

Content courtesy of General Mills Foodservice