Better Understand Your Food Photography Style in 6 Minutes

“I can help you get anything you want, but first you have to tell me what that is.”

That statement is from Marie Forleo in her book, Everything is Figureoutable. I started reading the book last year and got about halfway through before work and the holidays took command of my free reading time.

I picked it back up last night and within the first few pages, my eyes came across that statement. It’s what she tells people she is coaching and she relates it back to us knowing what we want. Choosing a goal, one goal to start with.

(Before I go on, I feel like I should say that given her reaction among her fans and followers in response to the very important Black Lives Matter movement, I almost rewrote this post. But after some reflection, I still think that quote leads to some food for thought. So I’ve left this post unedited.)

It resonated with me because often what people tell me is that they don’t know what they like about a photo that catches their attention. A driving force in creating images that reflect your brand in a way that saves you time and frustration is knowing your style.

But people tell me they don’t know how to figure out their photography style. They don’t know what it is that they want. They don’t know where to start.

Have 6 minutes to spare? I’ll show you exactly how to start in this video. We’ll break down a couple photos to help you get a better handle on your likes and dislikes so you can move forward.

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6 Types of Linens to Diversify Your Prop Collection

I have a couple Etsy affiliate links in this post. This means that if you check them out and decide to purchase, I earn a very small commission. Thank you!

Do you find yourself using the same linen over and over again in your photos because you know it works?

I hear you. I get stuck in a linen rut, too. 

And let me explain here. When I say linen, I’m speaking of the napkin, towel, tablecloth or other similar prop used to enhance a food or product photograph. 

It’s so easy to default to what we know will work. We tend to stop challenging ourselves to work with new props to save time or create a cohesive look in our work. 

But there are ways to diversify your linen napkin collection so that you have a handful of options that are fail-proof for your shots. 

Additional touches in design and multiple colors can help add a twist to your photos while keeping them in line with your photography style. 

You might choose two or three go-to styles. Or use a different one in each shot. 

I’m sharing 6 types of linens in my collection that are solid options for me time and time again. 

Real linen 
I talk about this all the time. Real linen in gray or oatmeal are the core of my collection. 

Rough edge
Fray, tassels, tears. Any hint of creativity along the edge of a linen will add character to your scene. 

Flour sacks
Simple, affordable, and perfect for food photos. You can buy them in white and dye them with t-shirt dye in whatever color you desire. I’ve also found them in the kitchen section of stores in light to medium gray and with prints.

Handkerchiefs
I discovered all these wonderful options at my local craft store. This is often how I add prints to my photos, giving them a unique look that many people are afraid to experiment with. But it works! And they’ll set you back about $1 each. 

Cheesecloth
Beautiful in photos of all kinds. Use it straight from the package for a clean, crisp look. Wash and air dry it for a relaxed feel. I have it in natural, white, and black. 

Waffle
A waffle texture is a safe place to start if you aren’t ready to jump into prints because it adds a different look without multiple colors. Many traditional dish towels and washcloths have this look, but there are also plenty of cloth napkins with waffle texture, especially in the fall and winter design releases.

If you are looking for some new linens, these are a couple of my very favorite makers:

Lakeshore Linens

112 James Street

I also find good options when I occasionally swing by these stores:

CB2
Crate & Barrel Outlet
H&M Home

Everything else I’ve found by exploring random stores while traveling both in the U.S. and abroad. A new linen is one of the easiest souvenirs to fly home with.

Quick Tips for Photographing Warm Drinks

No time to read? Check out the audio option and listen to this post!

Foam, froth, and steam! That’s always what we are trying to capture when we photograph dreamy, comforting warm drinks.

Many of us are headed straight into that season, so let’s talk about a few quick tips for photographing warm drinks and capturing on camera what you envision in your head. 

Side note: In this post I’ve shared as many soups and similar foods than actual drinks because I have more experience with steam in this area. The same techniques apply to both. 

Tip One:  Layer
Don’t simply dump the frothed milk or whipped cream from a container onto the your coffee drink. Layer to build height and help that frothy top hold while you photograph it. Spoon on enough to cover the surface then continue to spoon more on, over and over until it builds over the cup. But be careful not to overflow it!

Tip Two:  Hot, hot, hot!
I make it a point in my photography to focus on learning the subjects and techniques that I enjoy photographing. I tend to let the rest go. I say this because there are industry tricks (like heated cotton balls) for faking steam in an image. That’s just not my jam. I like to photograph in real life. So when you want to capture steam, make sure your beverage (or soup or stew) is straight out of the pot or the stove. The more steam you have rolling, the more time you will have to capture your shot. 

Tip Three:  Light it up
While we often want steam shots to look dark and cozy, the key to seeing the steam is light. Be sure there is plenty of natural light hitting your subject. I find that backlight works the best. If you are trying to create a dark background, though, consider a black board or backdrop behind with plenty of side light on the subject. 

Bonus Tip:  Non-fat froths better
This is something I learned in my barista days. In college, I worked for a bagel bakery and when I worked the counter, we also had to make coffee drinks. When someone ordered a cappuccino and didn’t specify the milk type, we would always default to non-fat or skim because it foamed much more when steamed. It’s something I apply to my photography when I’m playing around with warm drinks for photos. 

These are just a few of my favorite tips. I hope they’ll serve as quick tips for photographing warm drinks and steaming bowls that you can start applying to your shoots right away. Over time, you’ll start to learn your shooting space and lighting better so that you can capture the steam and froth, just the way you want it every time.