The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Food Photographer: What to Look For
What Restaurants, Brands, and Creators Should Know Before Booking a Shoot
If you’re in the food and beverage world, you already know—people eat with their eyes first. Whether you’re launching a new menu, rebranding your packaging, or boosting your social presence, high-quality images aren’t optional. They’re essential.
But hiring a food photographer can feel overwhelming if you’ve never done it before. What should you look for? How do you know if someone’s the right fit for your brand?
As a brand photographer who works with restaurants, beverage companies, and creators, I’m breaking down everything you need to know before you book a shoot. Here's what to look for when hiring a professional food and beverage photographer:
1. Experience in Food & Beverage Photography
Not all photographers are created equal. Food photography is a unique art—lighting, styling, and composition all play a huge role in making dishes and drinks look appetizing. You want someone who understands how to capture texture, color, and that just-right lighting that makes food pop.
Look for:
A strong portfolio of food and beverage work
Experience with both plated dishes and drinks
Versatility in shooting for social media, websites, and ads
2. Understanding Your Brand Style
A good food photographer can take pretty pictures. A great one understands your brand vibe and knows how to translate it visually. Whether your aesthetic is rustic and cozy, sleek and modern, or bold and edgy, your photos should match the mood.
Before hiring, ask:
Have you worked with brands or restaurants with a similar look or feel?
Can you adapt your editing style to match our branding?
Will you help with styling or do I need to bring someone in?
3. Knows How to Make Drinks Look Good
If you serve cocktails, mocktails, or specialty drinks, you need someone who knows how to shoot beverages specifically. From condensation tricks to creative garnishing, cocktail photography is its own niche—and one where the details really matter.
If drinks are a big part of your offering, ask about:
Techniques they use to keep drinks looking fresh
Experience with lighting liquids, glassware, and reflective surfaces
Whether they provide styling props or help source them
4. Communication & Collaboration Style
Food photography is a team sport. You’ll want a photographer who communicates clearly, listens to your needs, and brings ideas to the table. Whether you're shooting on location in your restaurant or in a studio, they should guide the process and make it seamless.
Ask questions like:
Do you help with shot planning or do I need to create a list?
How long does a typical shoot take?
Will you provide guidance during the shoot, or just press the shutter?
My approach? Collaborative and easygoing—but always intentional. I’ll help you prep, plan, and walk away with content that actually works for your goals.
5. Delivers More Than Just Pretty Pictures
A great food photographer doesn’t just give you a folder of images—they deliver assets that sell. Whether it’s for Instagram, your website, an email campaign, or a press release, your photos should help move your business forward.
Look for someone who:
Understands marketing and social media trends
Provides high-res images and web-friendly formats
Offers guidance on how to use the photos you’re investing in
When you hire me, I make sure your final images are not only beautiful, but usable. You’ll leave with a library of content you can repurpose across platforms with confidence.
Ready to Hire a Food Photographer in Salt Lake?
Whether you're a restaurant looking to refresh your visuals, a bar rolling out a new cocktail menu, or a food brand launching your next big thing—I’d love to help bring your vision to life.
I’m a Salt Lake-based food and beverage photographer who specializes in custom shoots that blend storytelling, strategy, and scroll-stopping visuals.
📸 Contact me here to book your shoot or get a quote tailored to your needs.