How to Style Your Food Photography Photos Like a Pro

If you’ve ever drooled over those perfectly styled pancake photos on Instagram and wondered how to make your own food photography look that good, you're in luck! Today, we're breaking down the secrets to making your food photos look professional, using tips from a video tutorial on styling fluffy pancakes by renowned product and food photographer Ursula Krause. Grab your camera (or smartphone), and let’s get started!

First things first, your background sets the stage for your food story. In the video, two V-Flat Zigzag Marble White Duo Board backdrops are used to create those inviting kitchen vibes.

Pro Tip: Mix water with milk to fill a jar halfway, so you don’t waste an entire milk carton but still achieve that creamy, full look. Little touches like this can save resources and still look fantastic.

Props are essential but should be used sparingly to avoid distraction. Delicate cloths, like those from V-Flat World, add texture without overwhelming the scene. Thick kitchen towels might steal the spotlight from your star – those fluffy pancakes.

To make pancakes look fluffy and separate each layer, slip thin slices of strawberries between them. This simple trick gives the illusion of taller, airier pancakes rather than a flat stack.

Example: In the video, strawberries and blueberries are artfully scattered around, not just for eating, but to add color and interest to the composition. The same technique can work with other fruits or toppings depending on the food you’re styling.

Lighting is the key to any great photo. The video showcases the use of a strobe light (Godox MS300) paired with a large Octanum softbox to diffuse the light evenly across the scene.

Pro Tip: Position your light to mimic natural light coming from a window. This creates a soft, inviting look that’s perfect for food photography. Adding a foam board to reflect light back into the scene can reduce harsh shadows, but leaving some shadow can add a realistic touch.

Angles can make or break a shot. Experiment with different heights and perspectives to find the most flattering angle for your food. In the video, adjusting the angle helped showcase the pancakes and props in the best light.

Example: The camera is initially positioned at a lower angle but then raised to add more dimension. The final focal length is set to 50mm, a versatile choice for food photography, giving a natural and appealing perspective.

Editing is where the magic really happens. Using Lightroom, start by adjusting the white balance. Select the whitest part of your photo with the Color Picker tool for an instant correction.

Pro Tip: Increase the exposure carefully to avoid losing detail, bring down highlights to regain any lost details, and lift shadows to balance the overall look. Adjusting the vibrance can make the colors pop without making them look unnatural.

Bonus Tip: If you make a mistake (like leaving a paper towel in the shot), tools like Photoshop's lasso tool and generative fill can quickly fix it. This feature reads the surrounding pixels to seamlessly remove unwanted objects.

With these and other food photography tips, you're well on your way to creating stunning images that looks professional. Remember, it’s all about paying attention to the little details – from the backdrops and props to lighting and angles. And don’t forget the power of editing to bring your photos to life.

So, next time you're making pancakes (or any dish), take a few extra minutes to style and shoot them. You’ll be amazed at the difference these tips can make.

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