Learn about my process for shooting, styling, and editing cookbook photos, including how I set up my kitchen studio, managed time, and created beautiful, cohesive images.
Hey friends! Welcome back to my Cookbook Journey series! This is part 2 of my food photography post. If you caught my last post, you know that planning and preparing for the food photography in my cookbook was a major part of the process. In this post, we dive in to the actual grunt work of cookbook photography.
This is THE BEST PART OF THIS WHOLE JOURNEY! It’s so much fun!
If you need 30-minute Asian recipes to make your busy weeks much easier, check out my new cookbook: Effortless Asian Cooking!
Capturing each dish perfectly was no small feat, but it was one of the most rewarding parts of creating this cookbook. So, grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive into how the magic happens behind the lens! I also list down all of my tools and props that I use; if you’re thinking of grabbing some new gear or need inspiration on how to make your food photos pop, you’ve come to the right place!
Table of Contents
- Learn about my process for shooting, styling, and editing cookbook photos, including how I set up my kitchen studio, managed time, and created beautiful, cohesive images.
- The Studio Set Up
- The Shoot – how to capture the perfect shot
- The Styling – how to style the shots
- The Editing – how to edit the photos
- The Challenge: Time and Energy Management
- Step-by-step Summary
- Conclusion
The Studio Set Up
Before beginning the photography session, make sure that this checklist is completed:
1. Choose your Location
- This can be any space at home that is easy for you to work in and set up. This will be your studio for the next couple of weeks of the project. My studio of choice is… My kitchen! Thankfully I have a big-enough kitchen that allows space to shoot AND safely cook my meals.
- I mainly shot on my dining table, as well as on the kitchen floor. This is especially helpful when I needed overhead shots.
- Be prepared for a messy (but organised) kitchen! I didn’t mind this since it would only be temporary. Having ALL of my setup, lighting, equipment, gear, props, all in one location made it effortless to get in and start shooting.
2. Camera and Equipment
- Camera: I shoot with a Sony A6400 Mirrorless Camera. I’ve been using it forever, and I work the best with it. I invested in a newer, more high-end DSLR camera, but eventually I went back to my Sony A6400 because I knew how it worked best! The A6400 was an upgrade from my A6000, but if I were to be perfectly honest, I don’t find there to be much difference between the two – so if you’re on a budget, try sourcing for a secondhand camera body. Sometimes it’s not always about the newest shiniest thing.
- Lenses: But it is ALL about the lenses you use. I shoot exclusively with the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Lens for the cookbook. It’s meant for close-ups, but I work with it for wider angles as well. I’ve had this lens for a long while – from even way back in my Sony A6000 days.
- Tripod: A tripod is essential for keeping the camera steady and allowing me to make minor adjustments without moving the camera. It also helps to prevent blurry images, and helps keep things in frame or in shot. That said, there were a lot of instances where I shot without my tripod to get better angles, or extreme closeups. In these moments, it’s especially important to check the focus – unfortunately I don’t have the steadiest of hands! Please invest in a quality tripod, nothing hurts more than watching your expensive camera topple to the ground. I use the Sirui brand of tripods, they are excellent and sturdy. I have these two:
- Macbook Pro: Macbook Pro is my main powerhouse and second brain for everything I do here! In this photography context, I used my Macbook Pro as my main viewfinder. Even though the camera has a viewfinder, you need a bigger screen for extreme zooming in to make sure your shots are IN FOCUS. Sometimes I connect my camera directly to the laptop for instant photo reviewing with a cable. When I need more mobility, I would simply remove my SD card, and plug it into my laptop (this was a small feature that I’m so thankful for that was added back in the latest generations of Macbook Pros!).
- iPad: My iPad is my secondary screen! It’s more portable and compact, so when I need to work on my images on the go, this was my equipment of choice. Of course, it being on a Mac ecosystem meant that all of my workflow is seamless across devices.
- HOW TO STORE: With the exception of my Macbook Pro, I keep all of my equipment in a box for easy access. Place near your wall outlet or charging dock, so that you easily charge or turn things on in an instant.
3. Lighting
- Artificial Light: For all of my photos, I use softbox lights. Since I still had a full-time job, most of the shoots was done in the evening. Even when I had natural light – for example when I shoot on weekends or work-from-home days – I would still use the same lighting setup so that all of the photos have the same consistent look.
- I utilise two softbox lights, one to flood the shot, and another one that I move around depending on the angles, or to create shadows for a more contrast-y effect. I’ve had my softbox lights since FOREVER, so I’ve lost track of where I sourced them from, but they were a generic brand. I purchased them with the thinking that “when this work starts paying me, I will invest in better ones” – but they served me so well that I never had to look for other options!
- What you want to look for are lighting that has adjustable brightness, height and colour temperature. These are some options on Amazon:
These are similar options:
- If you have access to natural lighting (lucky you!), that will work as well. Make sure that the lighting is consistent throughout, the best way to ensure this is to schedule the same time every shoot day to take the photos. Buffer in a few days for rainy or cloudy days.
- The keyword to best work with lighting is: consistency. You need to make sure that the lighting throughout your photos are all consistent. The best way to ensure this is to use the same lighting source throughout, be it artificial or natural. Editing the lighting in post is too much time and effort – even if you’re a pro at it!
- HOW TO STORE: For the entire duration of the shooting period, the lighting remain in the kitchen for easy access. When I don’t need to set up the studio all over again, it makes shooting after a long day at work that much more effortless.
4. Props and Backgrounds
- Props: I select props that complement the dishes. This includes plates, cutlery and linen.
- Backgrounds: I use different backgrounds to create variety. Wooden boards, marble slabs, and textured fabrics are some of my favourites.
- HOW TO STORE: I store all of the props and backgrounds in a box, in a corner of my kitchen studio. This way I could grab whatever I need easily, instead of hunting down props.
5. Dishes are READY!
- Of course, don’t forget to prepare the dishes BEFORE photography!
- Depending on the day, sometimes I would batch cook a few dishes at one go, and shoot immediately after. Other days I would batch cook the dishes, and shoot them the next day instead. Food photography does need real food, but thankfully not freshly cooked dishes!
The Shoot – how to capture the perfect shot
Once the scene was set, it was time to shoot!
I approached each dish differently, depending on my moodboard as well as what I would like to be highlighted in the dish.
Here’s how I technically approached capturing each dish:
- Camera Settings: The first time I shoot one dish, I adjust the settings after each shot until I’m satisfied with the ultimate shot. These should be a generic shot, for example an overhead wide shot. Then I DO NOT MAKE ANYMORE ADJUSTMENTS, and shoot the rest of the dishes on these same settings. Each dish will photograph differently of course, but in terms of the settings – aperture, ISO, white balance – these remain the same. This will keep things consistent, and also remove any mental effort when you start shooting each dish. I set my focus on the camera’s auto mode, which still allows me to manually focus each shot if I need a different focal point.
- Angles: I worked with different angles to find the one that best showcased the dish. The three main ones are:
- Overhead shots
- 45-degree angle
- Closeup
- Framing: I pay attention to the basic rule of thirds, leading lines, and negative space to create a balanced composition.
- Focus: This is basic, but most important – KEEP FOCUS! Make sure that the dish are in focus. Not just on the whole, but which detail should be in focus? For example, are your garnishes in focus, but the main dish underneath blurry? This is a major no-no!
- Details: To make the food look as appetizing as possible, I didn’t shy away from adding a bit of extra detail. A sprinkle of fresh herbs, a wedge of lime, or a drizzle of sauce can make all the difference in creating a mouthwatering image.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t spend too much time thinking about the “perfect shot”. I focused more on what I wanted the final image to look like, and just point-shoot-adjust! Rinse and repeat until I get the shot that I want, according to my moodboards.
If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry too much about it. After a while, everything becomes intuitive – that’s the one benefit of putting things into practice!
Let me tell you my NUMBER 1 SECRET to getting great photos… take lots of them! That’s another benefit of shooting in-house, I get to be trigger-friendly with the camera!
For each recipe take multiple shots from different angles, with different compositions. This gives me plenty of options to choose from during editing. This also turned out to be a LIFESAVER, because a couple of images ended up as duds after submission! Thank goodness I had an arsenal of back up images to choose from, instead of having to shoot all over again!
The Styling – how to style the shots
If shooting the photos make up 50% of the photography session, styling makes up the other half! Styling is so important to the success of a food photo.
These are some rules I abide by for this project:
1. Keyword: MATTE!
If there’s one keyword for all of the props I used, it’s this: MATTE!
Matte backgrounds, matte plates, matte cloths, matte utensils. Matte items are preferred because they avoid reflective surfaces, which do not photograph well.
There is an exception to the rule: shine on food! To make food look extra tantalizing, sometimes I slick on some oil on high points of the dish. It immediately gives life to the dish, making it look fresh and appetising.
2. Colour Palette: Neutral
Committing to a colour palette is essential for consistency. It helps maintain a uniform style throughout the book, and made the images look intentional and polished. I generally favour a neutral colour palette, and based on my moodboard, I decided on just a couple pops of colour to keep things interesting.
- Neutral Base: I stuck to a neutral color palette for most of my props and backgrounds. This made everything go together well and simplified the process, as I didn’t have to think too hard about what matched what.
- Accent Colours: Occasionally, I introduced colour with deep blue and rusty red. Using just these two accent colours ensured consistency throughout the book and provided a cohesive look. I recommend sticking to 2-3 colours and not more, which may end up looking messy instead of cohesive. Unless of course, your photography theme is a lot more colourful than mine! Even then, stick to the same family of colours, for example, pastels or brights.
3. Props and Backgrounds
A crucial part of food styling is selecting the right props and backgrounds to enhance the visual appeal of each dish, and create depth and layers. Here’s how I approach this essential aspect of my shoots:
Props
All of my props are sourced and collected from all over the place!
Specific Props I Used:
- Matte and rustic plates: Opt for smaller plates; they look fuller with less items. My plates are sourced from everywhere – anytime I see a matte, rustic plate, I would get it! Most of my plates are from Bangkok, Thailand. I know that flea markets and thrift stores are fantastic places to score rustic plates. Otherwise, there are so many wonderful options on Amazon:
- Small Condiment Bowls: These are great for holding garnishes or ingredients used in the dish, adding detail and interest to the photos! I collected my condiment bowls from all over the place, over years of being a food blogger – they’re probably the hardest to source!
- Wooden Utensils: When I first started shooting, I was using silverware. It was fine in the background for most shots, otherwise they are a pain to photograph because… they’re shiny! I found the perfect solution in wooden utensils. I already have wooden chopsticks, so I just needed to look for wooden spoons. These add a natural and rustic feel to the photos, perfect for homey and comforting dishes.
- Colorful Linen: To add texture and variety, I use linen napkins and cloths. They can add a pop of color and make the composition more dynamic. I purchase mine from my local hobby store from the cloth section. I find the variety to be the best, plus tend to be cheaper than actual linen napkins for dining.
- Ingredients Themselves: Ingredients like herbs and spices, garnishes, chilies, and lime peels often make a special appearance, adding freshness and vibrancy to the composition.
Backgrounds
Wooden or Concrete Backgrounds: Backgrounds create a versatile and interesting canvas that enhances the dish without overpowering it.
For this cookbook, I hunted down board backgrounds that are matte. They’re a bit of an investment, but totally worth it. Not only are they matte, they are waterproof to some degree, which meant I can easily wipe off any messes and spills. They’re a lot easier to work with than cloth.
They’re also specifically made for photography, so the colour on them are a warmer neutral – and yes, there’s such a thing as getting the RIGHT kind of neutral! If the shade is a little off, for example if I’d gotten a cooler tone, it would not have reflected as appetisingly on the food featured in the cookbook.
These are options on Amazon:
The Editing – how to edit the photos
Once the photos were captured, the next step was editing them to perfection. Here’s how I approached the editing process:
Choosing the Best Shots
After each shoot, I’d upload the photos to my computer and begin the process of selecting the best shots. I would typically shortlist 3-4 photographs – HARD! – but I had to be brutal in my selection process otherwise we would sit here forever sifting through photos.
One of the goals is to ensure that the photos had a consistent look and feel throughout the book. At the same time, you want enough variety, so you don’t feel like you’re looking at the same image as you flip through the cookbook – BORING!
Editing Tools
The photos then get plugged into my main editing tool: Adobe Lightroom. It’s an incredibly powerful tool that allowed me to make precise adjustments to the exposure, contrast, sharpness and colours of the photos.
Once I have the first few set of images edited to how I like it, I turn it into a preset or filter which I then place over all of the other images. This makes the images immediately consistent. Each image will then be further fine tuned. I also used the clone tool to remove any small imperfections, like stray crumbs or smudges, that might distract from the dish.
Finally, the images go through Adobe Photoshop to crop to the right size and to export as a high-res TIFF image for publish.
All final edited images are placed in folders, to have a bird’s eye view of the set. Reviewing it this way ensured that they all worked together as a cohesive collection. I made any necessary adjustments to ensure that the overall aesthetic of the cookbook was consistent from cover to cover.
The Challenge: Time and Energy Management
Creating a cookbook is a massive undertaking, and one of my main challenges was juggling all the moving parts—recipe testing, photography, writing, and revisions—while staying on track with my timeline. The process required a level of organization I hadn’t anticipated. Shooting multiple recipes in a day required careful time management – at times just trying to plan the schedule and make things fit is enough to drive a girl crazy!
Learning to say NO
But I made sure to stick to my schedule as much as possible, and part of this is learning to say “no” to… myself! My perfectionist nature has a tendency to dwell too long on details that ultimately do not matter, so sticking to a timeframe and being insanely strict on it allowed me to get SO MUCH DONE within my schedule.
This strict time management ironically gave me the flexibility to spend a little extra time on any dish if needed! The key was to stay organised and keep the momentum going.
To stay on track, I had to learn to prioritise tasks that needed immediate attention and letting go of the idea that everything had to be perfect on the first try.
This often meant late nights and early mornings, as I tried to squeeze every minute out of my day. I had to remind myself to keep moving forward, even if some tasks took longer than anticipated.
Energy Management: Finding the Balance Between Creativity and Burnout
Another significant challenge was managing my energy levels throughout the process. Working on a project like this is incredibly rewarding (and FUN!), but it’s also mentally and physically exhausting.
Balancing creativity with the repetitive nature of some tasks—like shooting multiple dishes in a single day or spending hours editing photos—was draining. There were days when I felt creatively depleted, but I still had that nagging list of tasks to complete… Especially after a long day of full-time work!
The one KEY thing I enforced, that is the single most important tool in this entire process… REST!
I realized that maintaining my energy and mental well-being was just as important as managing my time, so I scheduled rest time in my calendar as well! In fact, I would plug in time to rest first, before I schedule anything else.
Stepping away from the kitchen or the camera for a walk, a quick workout, or a meal/coffee with people I love even for just a moment helped me reset and return to the project with renewed focus and energy!
Step-by-step Summary
Here’s a step-by-step summary of how I did food photography for my cookbook:
Step 1: Planning and Preparation
Step 2: Building a Photography Schedule
Step 3: The Photography Set Up (the ‘studio’, equipment, props)
Step 4: The Shooting (How I shoot the photos)
Step 5: The Styling (How I styled My Photos)
Step 6: Editing the Photos (how I shortlist and edited the photos)
Conclusion
And there you have it! The process of cookbook photography might seem daunting, but with the right planning, patience, and a dash of creativity, it becomes a rewarding experience that brings your recipes to life. From capturing the perfect light to styling each dish just right, every shot helps tell the story of your food.
Shooting and editing the photos for my cookbook was an intense but incredibly rewarding experience. It allowed me to bring the recipes to life in a way that words alone couldn’t. The process taught me a lot about the art of food photography, and I’m so excited to share the final result with you all in the cookbook.
I hope this behind-the-scenes look gives you a better understanding of the hard work that goes into each photo and inspires you to try it yourself. Stay tuned for more insights from my cookbook journey!
*Disclosure:This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own.
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