Food photography props that enhance your recipe visuals

If you’re a food blogger, you’ll know how important it is to showcase your recipes in the most appealing way possible. After all, stunning food photography can help you attract more traffic and even increase your sales. But with so many different props to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start.

In this post, we’ll explore the essential factors to consider when selecting props for your food photography. We’ll also provide tips on how you can choose the best options for your brand and style. 

If you’re ready to take your food photography to the next level, read on!

Types of food photography props to use

Whatever style you opt for, there are a few props that are ‘must-haves’ for any great prop collection. Let’s take a closer look at why these props are some of the best options to master your food photography, no matter your budget.

1. Essential base props

Plates & serving dishes

The foundation of any food photo starts with what your dish sits on. Your choice of plates can dramatically change the look and feel of your images.

• White/neutral plates: These versatile classics make your food the star by providing contrast without competing for attention. They work especially well with colorful dishes like salads and desserts.
• Matte-finish dishes: Unlike glossy surfaces that create distracting reflections, matte dishes absorb light beautifully. They give your photos a professional look without the struggle of managing unwanted glare.
• Small plates vs. dinner plates: Scale matters in food photography! Smaller plates make portions look more generous and help fill the frame. A 6-8 inch plate often works better than a standard dinner plate for most recipe photos.
• Bowls and serving vessels: Different foods require different containers. Shallow bowls work well for pasta and salads, while deeper vessels showcase soups and stews. Having a variety of shapes adds interest to your photography collection.

Background surfaces

• Cutting boards: Cutting boards are essential props for food photography, as they provide a surface for both preparing and displaying ingredients. They come in various materials, including marble, wood, and glass, and in different shapes and sizes. A long, narrow cutting board can showcase neatly sliced vegetables, while a round board adds elegance to a cheese platter.

• Marble surfaces: Marble’s natural veining adds subtle texture without overwhelming your food. Its cool, clean look works particularly well for baking shots, pastries, and desserts. Even a small marble pastry board can be a worthwhile investment.
• Photography backdrops: Specially designed backdrops give you control over the setting. Options range from vinyl surfaces that mimic wood or concrete to actual wooden boards painted in various colors. These create consistency in your photos and let you establish a signature look.

2. Texture & dimension elements

Textiles

• Napkins: Napkins add color and texture to your photographs. They come in various materials, patterns, and colors to complement your branding and aesthetic. For example, a simple white napkin can add a clean, modern look to your photographs, while a colorful patterned napkin can add visual interest and personality.
• Table linens: Table runners, placemats, and tablecloths set the scene and create atmosphere. Linen’s natural texture photographs beautifully and adds an organic quality to images. Consider seasonal colors to keep your content fresh throughout the year.
• Backdrop fabrics: Draped fabrics can create soft backgrounds or add texture to flat surfaces. Lightweight cotton, linen, or muslin in neutral tones offers versatility for various food styles. Wrinkled or casually arranged fabrics create a relaxed, lived-in feel.

Elevation & height

• Cake stands: Cake stands are perfect for showcasing desserts and baked goods. Available in glass, metal, and ceramic, they add height and dimension to photographs of cakes, cupcakes, and pastries, creating visual interest beyond flat surfaces.
• Cooling racks: A cooling rack provides a textured, industrial look to photographs. It adds context for baked goods, suggesting they’ve just come from the oven and are cooling down, which enhances your recipe’s appeal and authenticity.
• Tiered serving pieces: Multi-level serving pieces create depth and visual interest in your photos. They’re especially useful for displaying appetizers, cookies, or small bites. The varying heights guide the viewer’s eye through the image and add sophistication to your composition.

3. Styling accents

Utensils & tools

• Cutlery: Cutlery is an important prop for food photography, as it helps to show the scale and portion size of a dish. In addition, well-chosen cutlery can add visual interest to the photograph. Choosing gold metal or vintage utensils (depending on the aesthetic you’re striving for) can complement the food and create a more appealing overall image.

• Cooking utensils: Cooking utensils are a useful prop for food photography, as they can help show the action and process of cooking. It conveys the idea that the dish was prepared with care and attention to detail, enhancing the authenticity of the image. Some popular cooking utensils to consider include whisks, spatulas, and tongs.
• Vintage vs. modern options: Your choice of utensil style sets the mood. Tarnished silver spoons add rustic charm, while sleek stainless steel creates a contemporary feel. Mixing vintage and modern elements can create an interesting contrast that gives your photos personality.

Glassware & containers

• Drinking glasses: Glasses add transparency and light-catching elements to compositions. From rustic mason jars to elegant wine glasses, your choice reflects the style and occasion of the dish. They’re especially useful for beverage photography but can also frame food items.
• Jars and bottles: These vessels add interest through shape and transparency. Use them to showcase ingredients like spices, oils, or honey. The varying heights and forms create visual rhythm in your photos.
• Beverage containers: Pitchers, carafes, and teapots add story elements to your photos. They suggest serving and sharing, creating a welcoming feel. Even when not the main subject, they can add balance and complete the scene.

4. Finishing touches

Natural elements

• Garnishes: Garnishes are a useful prop for food styling, as they can add color and texture to your photographs and are widely accessible. Some popular garnishes include herbs, spices, fruit, and nuts. When using garnishes, be mindful of the flavors and textures of your dish, and choose garnishes that complement them. For example, a sprinkle of fresh herbs can add a pop of green to a pasta dish, while a sprinkle of nuts can add crunch to a salad.

• Ingredients from recipes: Don’t forget to include ingredients from your recipe as props. This adds color, texture, and context to your photographs while showing readers what goes into your dishes. Raw ingredients tell the story of the dish before it’s prepared.

Composition elements

• Raw ingredients: Strategically placed raw ingredients—like flour dusting, herb sprigs, or citrus slices—create context and authenticity. They connect the finished dish to its components and add visual interest through color and texture variations.
• Seasonally appropriate decorative items: Seasonal elements like fresh flowers in spring, autumn leaves in fall, or evergreen sprigs in winter create timely context. These subtle additions make your photos feel current and relevant without overwhelming the food itself.

These are just a few suggestions for getting started with food photography props. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and experiment with different props and styles to find what works best for you and your brand. With a little creativity and attention to detail, you can create stunning food photographs.

What to consider when choosing props for your food photography

When it comes to choosing plates and props for your food photography, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. This is your chance to set your food blog apart and showcase what makes you unique. While there are a few key factors to consider when selecting your props, there’s no right or wrong way to do it – just choose what works best for you and your brand.

“The most impactful food photos in my portfolio didn’t come from expensive gear, but from thoughtfully chosen props that tell a story. That perfect marble surface I use for pastry shots? A $15 tile from the hardware store. Great food photography is about creative vision, not just your budget.”

Birthe Vandermeeren

Cofounder of Bootstrapped Ventures

• WordPress
• Instagram
• Mail

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few key considerations to keep in mind when choosing plates and props for your food photography.

Neutral vs. contrasting food photography backdrops

When it comes to choosing props for your food photography, the color palette of your background props and surfaces is an important factor to consider. Your color scheme should complement your branding, but it also depends on the recipe you’re showcasing.

For example, if you’re highlighting a Mediterranean salad, you might want to use props with neutral colors to emphasize the vibrant ingredients in the dish. A white plate or linen napkin can help create a clean and simple look that allows the ingredients to stand out. 

Here’s an example of a neutral backdrop found on the Bread Journey Instagram page. The wooden plate and earth-toned linen create a clean and simple look that highlights the texture and flavor of the dish.

On the other hand, if you’re baking a colorful loaf of bread, you might want to incorporate more interesting color accents in your choice of props. A bold blue bowl or patterned tea towel could add visual interest and depth to your photograph. Consider this example by Nancy Anne Harbord:

While there’s no hard and fast rule about which colors to choose, most food photographers tend to favor neutral shades as a safe option. However, don’t be afraid to experiment with bolder shades if they suit your brand and the recipe you’re showcasing. The key is to find a balance that complements your dish and helps it stand out.

As you can see, both neutral and contrasting backdrops can work well in food photography, depending on the recipe and your desired aesthetic. 

Minimalist vs. maximalist food photos

When it comes to choosing plates and props for your food photography, it’s important to consider your desired aesthetic. Do you want to keep things simple and modern, or do you want to incorporate a more traditional feel?

Minimalist food photography is a great option if you want to ensure your finished dish is the main focus. To achieve this look, try limiting the number of props you use and using negative space. Simple white plates, clean linens, and a few well-placed herbs can create a modern and streamlined look that puts emphasis on your food. Here’s an example of minimalist food photography from Rachel Korinek’s Instagram account, which incorporates just a few elements in the photo, including neutral-colored round plates:

If you want to showcase all your ingredients alongside your finished dish, or if you want to create a more traditional feel, maximalist food photography could be the way to go. This approach involves using more props and creating a more complex composition. Colorful patterns, textured fabrics, table decorations, and multiple ingredients can all help create a maximalist aesthetic.

Here’s an example of maximalist food photography from a shoot titled Maximalist San Gabriel Snack Adventure, for WorkingNotWorking.com.

To achieve a successful minimalist or maximalist look in your food photography, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Minimalist:
  • Use a limited number of props and make use of negative space
  • Choose simple and clean props, such as plain, neutral-colored plates and untextured surface 
  • Pay extra attention to lighting and composition to make the dish stand out
• Maximalist:
  • Incorporate multiple props and ingredients into the composition
  • Choose colorful and textured props, such as patterned tablecloths and decorative serving dishes
  • Choose textured linens, colorful dishes, and decorative serving pieces
  • Be mindful of balance and composition to avoid clutter

Create a “lived-in” quality

Perfect-looking food can sometimes feel unapproachable. Creating a “lived-in” quality makes your photos feel authentic and inviting. Try these techniques:

• A napkin with natural wrinkles
• Crumbs scattered around a slice of cake
• A partially eaten portion showing the inside of a dish
• A spoon with a small amount of sauce

These imperfections tell a story and help viewers imagine themselves enjoying the dish.

Food photography style and prop selection

Depending on how you like to shoot your recipes, certain props may work better than others. For example, if you prefer to shoot from a bird’s eye view (these food photography angles work well with foods like soups, pizzas, etc.), you may want to stick to plates, flatware, and other props that don’t have much height. This will help create a balanced composition that doesn’t distract from the dish. Here’s an example of food photography shot from a bird’s eye view:

On the other hand, if you’re shooting your recipes head-on or from a 45-degree angle (this works well with pancake stacks, layer cakes, etc.), you may want to add props with height, such as a vase of flowers or tall glasses. This can help add depth and dimension to your photographs. Textured tablecloths, colorful dishes, and decorative serving pieces can all help create a maximalist aesthetic. Here’s an example of a food photo shot from a head-on angle:

Layering fundamentals

Layering creates depth and visual interest in your photos. Start with your background surface, add a textile layer, then plates or bowls, and finally your food and garnishes. Each layer should complement the others while adding dimension.

Consider using different heights and textures in your layers. A folded napkin under a corner of your plate, a partially visible cutting board beneath a bowl, or overlapping smaller plates can all create appealing layers that draw the viewer’s eye through the image.

Adding human elements

Including subtle human elements makes food photos more relatable. A hand reaching for a cookie, fingers holding a spoon, or someone serving a dish in the background creates connection. These elements suggest the food is meant to be eaten and enjoyed, not just looked at.When including human elements, keep styling consistent. Well-groomed hands, simple jewelry (or none), and natural positioning feel most authentic and won’t distract from the food.

In addition to considering your photography style, it’s also important to choose props that complement the style and theme of your food blog. This can help create a cohesive look across your photographs and reinforce your brand identity. For example, if you have a rustic, homey vibe, you might want to use natural, textured props like wood cutting boards and woven baskets. On the other hand, if you have a sleek, modern aesthetic, you might want to opt for more minimalist props so that you can create a background that’s easy on the eye while giving prominence to the dish itself. 

Props to avoid in food photography

While there are many great props that can enhance the quality of your food photography, there are a few types of props that may reduce the quality of your photos. Here are a few props to avoid:

• Shiny surfaces: Shiny surfaces, such as bright white plates, can reflect unwanted light and create distractions in your photographs. Instead, opt for matte props that won’t reflect light and will allow your dish to be the main focus.
• Plastic cutting boards: If you use plastic cutting boards when cooking, you’ll likely have knife markings on them, which can be distracting in your photographs. Instead, consider using cutting boards made of wood or other materials that won’t show knife marks.
• Cheap, low-quality props: Cheap or low-quality props are likely to break or wear out quickly, which can be frustrating and costly in the long run. Instead, think of quality over quantity and invest in props that will last and enhance the quality of your photographs.
• Props that are out of scale: It’s important to choose props that are in proportion to the size of your dish. Avoid props that are too small or too large for your dish, as they can look out of balance and distract from the dish.

How to source your food photography props and build your collection

Before buying new props, look through your kitchen cupboards. You might be surprised by what you already own. That slightly chipped plate might be perfect when only partially visible in a shot. The vintage silverware from your grandmother could add character to your images.

Take inventory of what you have and consider how items might look in photographs rather than everyday use. Sometimes the most interesting props are hiding in plain sight.

Budget allocation strategies

Not all props require the same investment. Allocate your budget wisely by spending more on versatile items you’ll use frequently and less on seasonal or specialty pieces.

Worth the investment:

• High-quality neutral plates and bowls
• Durable cutting boards and background surfaces
• Professional photography backdrops

Save on these:

• Seasonal decorative elements
• Colored or patterned textiles
• Trendy items that might go out of style

When it comes to sourcing plates and props for your food photography, there are many options to consider. Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect props for your needs:

1. Source food props online: There are many retailers that sell plates and props for food photography, including Amazon, Etsy, and dedicated cookware stores. You can find a wide range of options to suit every budget and style.
2. Secondhand sources: Thrift stores, estate sales, and online platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace often have unique, affordable options with character.
3. Eco-friendly and second-hand websites: If you’re known for sourcing ethically sourced, organic, or fair trade ingredients, it’s important to extend this to your props as well. Consider shopping for props that align with your values and branding, such as eco-friendly or second-hand options, which you can find on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and more.
4. Tell your audience where to source their cookware: If you’re looking to monetize your food blog, consider including affiliate links to your featured props, such as plates, cooking equipment, and other items. This can be a great way to generate income while sharing products that you love and use in your own food photography.

DIY alternatives for expensive props

Some expensive photography props can be created yourself at a fraction of the cost:

1. Background boards: Purchase inexpensive plywood and paint or stain it to create custom backdrop surfaces. Add texture with paint techniques or attach vinyl flooring samples.
2. Custom textiles: Dye plain white napkins or fabric pieces to create custom colors that match your brand aesthetic.
3. Distressed utensils: Give new, inexpensive cutlery an aged look using simple techniques with vinegar or specialty paint.

These DIY approaches not only save money but also create truly unique props that set your photography apart.

By considering these factors, you can find the perfect plates and props for your food photography needs, while staying true to your branding and values.

How to showcase your food photography

Once you’ve taken stunning photographs of your dishes, the next step is to share them on social media and your food blog. But how do you effectively showcase your recipes in a way that is appealing and easy for readers to follow?

One of the best and most convenient ways to showcase recipes on your food blog is with the WP Recipe Maker plugin. It is a powerful tool that allows you to easily create and publish fully customizable recipe templates on your WordPress website. One of the key benefits of this plugin is that it allows you to add photographs showing the step-by-step process alongside your cooking instructions to help readers follow along and understand how the dish should look at each stage. You can also add a feature photo of your finished dish and present it in multiple formats in your recipe cards.

Take the next step towards stunning food visuals

Choosing the right plates and props for your food photography is essential to creating appealing content that stands out from the crowd. High-quality photos help showcase your recipes in an appealing way, which in turn helps you get more traffic and sales. The right choice of plates and props can also help elevate your photography and establish your brand’s unique aesthetic style.

When it comes to showcasing your recipes on your food blog, WP Recipe Maker is the best tool for the job. With fully customizable recipe templates, automatic SEO optimization, and social share buttons, WP Recipe Maker makes it easy for you to share your recipes in a professional and visually appealing way to attract more traffic and engagement to your food blog and help it succeed.

Related resources

1. The Best Cameras for Food Photography
2. Food Blogging Tips: How to Take Pictures of Your Food
3. Pizza Photo Perfection: A Comprehensive Guide
4. How to Take Professional Cooking Photos With Your Smartphone
5. The Best Tripods for Food Photography (5 Best Picks)