What to wear
Only relevant for hands in frame: plain sleeves, no watch that reflects, short clean nails. A patterned cuff in the corner of a food photograph is…
In short: Only relevant for hands in frame: plain sleeves, no watch that reflects, short clean nails. A patterned cuff in the corner of a food photograph is the most distracting thing in it.
Colour. Only hands and sleeves appear, so keep them plain and neutral. A patterned cuff at the edge of a food frame is the most distracting element in the photograph.
Fabric. Matte, close-fitting sleeves. Loose cuffs drag through sauce and appear in shot before anyone notices.
Jewellery. Off. A watch face reflects the light source directly back into the lens and a ring pulls the eye away from the dish.
The thing that ruins frames. Long or coloured nails in a food photograph. They read as unhygienic next to something people are meant to want to eat.
In the bag. Tweezers for placing garnish, a small brush and oil for gloss on meat and bread, kitchen roll for plate edges, and a white card to bounce light back into the shadow side. All of it fits in a lunchbox and all of it changes the frame.
Restaurants tired of paying for images that look like every other restaurant's, and anyone photographing a menu for delivery platforms.
Location changes the answer: The table nearest the largest window, always. Restaurants are lit warm and dim for atmosphere, which is the opposite of what a camera needs. Book the shoot for early afternoon when the room is empty and the daylight is best.
Planning pressure to account for: Shooting under restaurant ceiling lights, which are warm, dim and overhead. Using a flash. Photographing every dish from the same angle. And letting the food arrive before the light and the background are set.
Bring each proposed outfit as a complete look, including its shoes and accessories. The final choice is made against the actual background and light rather than from a generic colour rule.
Only relevant for hands in frame: plain sleeves, no watch that reflects, short clean nails. A patterned cuff in the corner of a food photograph is the most distracting thing in it.
For a one-hour session, plan one complete look and one quick variation such as a jacket, shoe or jewellery change. Two hours can normally support two or three resolved looks. More changes reduce shooting time, so photograph the most important outfit first and treat extras as options rather than promises.
Choose colours that separate clearly from the location and suit the intended use of the pictures. Solid tones and controlled texture are reliable; very fine checks, tiny stripes and reflective logos can distract or produce moiré. Send phone photographs of the options with the brief if you want a decision before the shoot.
Bring the garments on proper hangers, matching underwear, the shoes for every full-length look, a lint roller and simple touch-up products. Pack one neutral backup layer. Steam everything beforehand, but keep a small steamer nearby for travel creases and final adjustments on set.
Send the date, location and what you need photographed.