Are you pursuing food photography and looking for some great tips to enhance your skills? You may have found dozens of blogs explaining the tips and do’s of food photography.

But in this blog post, we have shared a few common mistakes that most photographers make. So, you must avoid them too, if you want to become a professional food photographer.

Let’s dive in!

#1 Not shooting the cooking process

If you want to take good shots of food, don’t wait until the dish is cooked. Start taking pictures when the ingredients are being prepped. This will give you more opportunities to get a good shot.

Raw or half-cooked ingredients can often look more appetizing than the cooked dish, so keep that in mind when you’re trying to get a good picture.

A little garnish can also help make the dish look more appealing.

#2 Taking photos from a single angle

No two angles are alike – especially when it comes to food. Depending on the dish, different angles can show off its best look.

For instance, a cheese and fruit platter looks great from an aerial perspective, while a taco or burger is best seen from the side.

That said, sometimes multiple angles are necessary to give viewers a full sense of the dish.

#3 Using ingredients that are not fresh

If you’re looking to up your food photography game, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, it’s all about making the food look as appetizing as possible. This means using fresh ingredients and avoiding any blemishes or imperfections.

Secondly, think about the composition of your shot. Is there a creative way you can arrange the food to make it look more appealing?

Sometimes simple is best, but sometimes a little bit of innovation can go a long way.

#4 Not focusing on the different sides of the light

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of food photography. It can be used to create different effects and make the food look more appealing.

Backlighting, front lighting, and side lighting are all techniques that can be used to achieve different results.

Front lighting is the simplest and most common form of lighting. It is achieved by placing the light source in front of the subject. This type of lighting is often used because it creates fewer shadows on the food.

Side lighting is a great way to highlight textures and contrast in the food. This technique is achieved by placing the light source to the side of the subject.

Backlighting is a bit more complicated, but it can create some really stunning results. This technique is achieved by placing the light source behind the subject. Backlighting often creates a light background that really makes the food stand out.

#5 Using a harsh artificial light

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of food photography, as it can determine the overall look and feel of your photos. Some photographers prefer to work with natural light, as it often provides the best results.

Others opt for artificial light, as it gives them more control over the lighting and white balance, which can save a lot of time in post-processing.

No matter which type of light you choose to use, be sure to avoid direct flash or overhead tungsten light, as they will cause harsh shadows and flatten out the details in your food photos.

Instead, invest in a good-quality flash and bounce card or reflector to help diffuse the light and bring out the best in your subject.

#6 Too much saturation

As a food photographer, it can be tempting to oversaturate your photos in order to make the food look more appealing.

However, it is important to be careful not to go too far, as this can make the colors look unnatural and odd.

Instead, try to capture the food’s true colors as accurately as possible.

#7 Letting food sit for too long

When you’re prepping food, it’s important to have all your materials ready to go before you start cooking. That way, when the food is done, you can serve it immediately.

For dishes that include leafy greens, like salads, you don’t want them to sit too long and get wilted. And meat can dry out if it sits for too long.

So make sure you’re prepared before the food is ready.

You can set your table with empty plates or bowls, and then fill them once the food is ready. That way, everything will be hot and fresh when you sit down to eat.

#8 Ignoring props

Props and styling can make a big difference in food photography.

Crockery and tableware can be pretty, but they can also take away from the food.

To style food for photography, just keep things clean and uncomplicated.

Busy tableware and props can take away from the focus on the food, so stick to neutral colors and let the dish be the star of the show.

Recommended post: Some great tips for the aspiring food photographers