Many of our cookbook software customers have expressed an interest in improving their photo skills when taking pictures of their recipes to include in the family cookbook.

Food photography is probably one of the hardest types of picture taking, and it is an admirable skill. I know. I’ve tried it. Sometimes I get good results, sometimes I have a hard time getting just the look I want. Below are some of the things I have learned when taking food photos for my family cookbook.

1. Use a contrasting background. If you use a white plate, use a dark background and vice versa.  

2. Make sure the dish or plate is flat on a flat surface, and all clutter is cleared away.

3. Focus on the center of the dish. Even if you don’t have macro-focus capabilities, you can come up with a good shot by editing and cropping the photos.

4. Use soft lighting from 3 different directions to help light the food (such as positioning light sources at 11, 2 and 6 o’clock). Natural sunlight from a window (diffused with wax paper or tracing paper if necessary) is great. You can also shoot outside in a covered space. Avoid any kind of fluorescent lighting. Also, avoid using a direct flash since that tends to create a harsh “blown out” photograph.

5. Don’t worry about the camera. It doesn’t really matter if you use an expensive digital camera, or a point and shoot digital with autofocus. The main thing is to hold the camera steady and concentrate on the ‘story” that you want to tell in your family cookbook.

6. Use nice props, such as an heirloom lace tablecloth, silver spoon or family pattern dishes to personalize the photos. Even a slice of lemon in a glass of tea or a flower from the garden can be attractive.

7. Take photos from several angles (but not from overhead). Not all shots have to be close-ups.

8. Use photo editing software to adjust color or crop the images.
Keep the above 8 tips in mind when taking food photos for your family cookbook. They will help you feel more confident in taking pictures to illustrate your family recipes, and help make the family cookbook even more enjoyable.

Happy food photo shoots,

Matilda

Making a recipe book? Check out all the recipe software and cookbook binding supplies we have at CookbookPeople.com.

If you enjoyed this article, you might check out:
• Family Photos Make the Family Cookbook
• Capture Missing Family Photos at Thanksgiving for Your Family Cookbook
• Family Photo Tips: How to Capture Hard-to-Photograph Family Members

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