In today's food-service business you need a marketing plan with methods for frequent updates in social media. But if you're using a simple phone or automatic point-n-shoot camera, you are selling your self, your products short. You need high-quality photos and written content which will distinguish and sell you food service concept. Professional food photography takes your branding and marketing from average to awesome and increase sales. Dynamic food photos as well as compelling writing tell your story, motivate a returning guest, and introduce potential new patrons to your site. Here are a few Tips for Social Media Marketing you can do quickly and with professional results
1] Set up a permanent light box or shoot area in your restaurant. You need to have lights preset for the key light, side light and a backlight for the food to pop.
2] Use a closeup lens, to get in close and show off your entree. There are some photographers, however, which like the compressed look of a long lens shot from a distance.
3] Create a close focus on the front of the item on the plate, and blur out the background. To do this, use a tripod to get a very narrow depth of field (f22) at a slower shutter speed; that's why you need a tripod! Anything below 1/60th shutter speed and you can not hold a camera still without the picture coming out blurred.
[story continues below picture]
4] It is useful to set up a scenario in the background, mainly if you are showcasing a particular dish- a heap of fries in a basket at the back, but no the focal point — an Asian style teapot and cup at the end of a Tofu Miso soup or Asian green salad. It helps tell a story about your cuisine and creates intrigue.
5] Use a plain white background- as you progress you may want to up the ante with darker or all black backgrounds and plates for dramatic effects and innovative plate presentations
And Finally, always work on plate presentations- food styling is critical.
[Compare the two steak shots. The left is one which shows off the Niman Ranch New York, with simple, yet colorful contrasts. The one on the right has too much similar color and texture, too much stacking going on and is dull and not great-
The Steak & Lobster- although a bit over the top, it was done to prove a point- "Tell A Story". It evokes a bit of the beach-side BBQ of seafood and meat, if you catch my wave.
(sorry for the Pun)
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