Master Overhead Food Shots with These Pro Tricks

Have you ever ended up scrolling on social media late at night and got sucked in by tasty food photos that made you instantly want to order takeout or put together a late-night meal? With food photography, you have the power to do the same to your followers. There are many ways to present food through photography, but one of the most popular techniques is the overhead shot. This method allows you to easily highlight the texture, color, and arrangement of your dish in a visually appealing and appetizing way.

There are so many ways to get overhead shots right, like mixing up angles. Flat lays, also known as 90° angles or knolling, have surged in popularity among food bloggers and influencers. These overhead shots offer a unique perspective that can make even the simplest ingredients look beautiful. Rachel Korinek, a professional food photographer, often uses this technique to create bright, clean, and uplifting images that celebrate the beauty of real food.

However, mastering overhead photography isn’t easy. Many beginners struggle with getting stable shots, dealing with poor lighting, and composing their images effectively. We want to address these common struggles by giving you essential gear recommendations, practical tips, and solutions! 

Essential gear for overhead food photography

Tripods: Standard, overhead rig, and phone 

Without a tripod for overhead food photography, your shots will likely end up blurry and inconsistent, making it nearly impossible to get the polished look that sets professional photos apart.

For beginners, phone mounts and tripods designed for smartphones can be a great, cost-effective solution. These mounts can give you a stable base for your phone, allowing you to take clear and consistent overhead shots. Models like iBOLT Mounts are popular choices for this purpose. They are easy to use and relatively inexpensive, making them a good starting point for those new to food photography. However, while phone mounts are affordable and convenient, they do have limitations compared to more professional setups. They may not offer the same level of stability and precision, and the image quality can be limited by your phone’s camera capabilities.

If you’re looking for a level up from this, standard tripods offer way more features and flexibility.

Popular models like the Manfrotto tripods are known for their durability and ease of use. However, standard tripods have limitations when it comes to overhead shots. They often need to be weighed down to prevent tipping, and their legs can get in the way, appearing in your photos. They also usually lack the height adjustability needed for true overhead shots unless placed on a raised surface.

For the best results in overhead food photography, think about investing in an overhead camera rig. These rigs, like those from Glide Gear or Proaim, offer unmatched stability and versatility. They allow for easy camera adjustments, providing maximum freedom of motion and a solid base that eliminates annoying camera shake. They can accommodate multiple pieces of equipment simultaneously, making them ideal for more complex shoots. Overhead rigs address common pain points by maintaining steady shots and allowing for precise viewpoint adjustments. They are particularly useful for shooting over tables and work surfaces, ensuring that you can capture your culinary creations from the perfect angle every time!

Backgrounds and accessories

The choice of background in food photography significantly impacts the overall look and feel of your photos. Neutral and complementary backgrounds can highlight the food without overpowering the dish. Popular background options include fabric, vinyl sheets, and wooden boards. For instance, Club Backdrops offers high-quality backgrounds that are perfect for creating a professional look.

When choosing backgrounds, think about the type of food you’re photographing and the aesthetic. Neutral tones often work best, but sometimes a textured or colorful background can add an extra layer of interest. The key is to choose backgrounds that complement the food without overpowering it. Try experimenting with materials like linens, and use utensils, and garnishes to add context and visual interest to your shots. Props should be carefully chosen and arranged to enhance the composition without overshadowing the food. For example, a simple cloth napkin or a few fresh herbs can bring a sense of realism and warmth to your photos.

Practical tips for stunning overhead food shots

Composition and spacing

Composition is all about balance. One of our favorite techniques is using the rule of thirds. Imagine dividing your frame into a grid of nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Position the main elements of your dish along these lines or at their intersections to draw the viewer’s eye to the focal points of the photo.

Planning your layout before you start shooting can make a big difference. Sketching a rough layout or experimenting with the arrangement helps in visualizing the final image and ensures a well-thought-out composition. This preparation can save time and lead to more polished results!

Another thing you need to think about is negative space, also known as the empty areas around the main subject. By giving your food room to breathe, you allow it to stand out more prominently in the frame. This technique helps create a clean and professional appearance, emphasizing the dish’s details and textures!

Lighting

Natural light is your best friend, so set up near a window to take advantage of the soft, even illumination it provides. This type of light enhances the food’s appearance by highlighting its natural colors and textures without creating harsh shadows.

To further refine your lighting setup, use diffusers and reflectors. Diffusers help soften harsh light, while reflectors fill in shadows, balancing light across your subject. This combination can create a professional and inviting look for your food shots.

Sadly, natural light isn’t always available – but that doesn’t mean you can’t take good photos! Continuous LED lights or softboxes are excellent alternatives. These tools mimic natural light and offer consistent illumination, allowing you to shoot at any time of day.

Most of all, maintaining lighting consistency is essential, especially if you’re shooting on different days or in various locations. Keep detailed notes of your setup, including the position of your lights, camera settings, and any adjustments made. This practice will help you achieve a uniform look across all your photos, enhancing the overall quality and professionalism of your work.

Creative styling

Styling your food directly to the camera is essential for creating visually appealing overhead shots. Start with a blank canvas and build the scene one element at a time, ensuring each component is placed with purpose and thought. This method helps in achieving a cohesive and attractive composition.

Incorporating props and garnishes (as we mentioned when we talked about backgrounds!) can significantly enhance your photos. For instance, Honest & Tasty uses flowers and limes in her Mexican Shrimp Ceviche recipe, adding a playful and complementary touch that makes her photograph unique.

Adding texture and layers to your composition is another key aspect. Although flat-lay photography tends to flatten the sense of dimension, you can create depth by layering different materials. Combining various textures, such as a rustic wooden board with a soft linen napkin, adds visual interest and makes your food look more inviting and realistic.

Perspective and angles

Achieving the perfect overhead angle requires a precise setup. Use a tripod to adjust the height so that the camera is directly above the subject. Make sure the camera is at a perfect 90 degrees by using a level. This setup eliminates distortion and creates a clean, professional look.

A zoom lens can also be incredibly useful for framing your shot without needing to move the rig up and down. This allows you to maintain a consistent perspective and easily adjust your composition.

While the overhead angle is classic, don’t be afraid to experiment with slightly different angles. Tilting the camera a bit or shooting from a lower angle can add depth and context, showing off different aspects of the food and making your images more dynamic and engaging. Experimenting with angles can help you discover unique perspectives that highlight the food’s best features!

Common problems and solutions

Creating a cohesive style across multiple shots

Developing a consistent color palette should be top of your priority list as it creates a cohesive look across your photos. Choose complementary background colors, props, and food items that fit the chosen palette. 

Establishing composition patterns can also help in achieving a signature style. Think about leaving negative space in specific areas or consistently using certain types of props. This consistency in composition can make your work easily recognizable and professionally cohesive.

Remember, post-processing also plays a significant role in maintaining a uniform look. Use presets or filters to apply the same editing style across multiple images. This will save time and ensure that your photos have a consistent feel, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your portfolio.

🔥Bonus tip: Incorporate branding elements subtly into your shots. Use your logo colors or signature props in a way that adds to the composition without being overly promotional. This helps in building a strong brand identity while keeping the focus on the food!

Tethering and shutter remote

One common problem in overhead food photography is the difficulty of viewing or reaching the camera during a shoot. This is where tethering comes in. Tethering allows photographers to connect their camera to a computer or tablet for real-time image viewing. This setup enables you to make instant adjustments, ensuring that every shot is perfect. Tethering gives you:

• Improved accuracy in composition and focus.
• Immediate feedback that allows for on-the-fly adjustments.

Using a shutter remote is another essential tool to minimize camera shake. Many smartphones can also be set up to shoot using voice commands, adding convenience. 

Protecting your camera

It goes without saying that your equipment is valuable – particularly if you have invested money into new cameras and lenses (among other things!) Food photography comes with its own risks like spills, splashes, and accidental drops or knocks. Overhead photography, in particular, carries the risk of your camera being directly above the food, increasing the chance of it being knocked over or getting splashed. Some ways to prevent this and protect your setup include:

• Secure the camera with a strap to a tripod or overhead camera rig to prevent accidental drops.
• Use camera covers or protective gear from reputable brands to shield your equipment from potential spills.
• Consider getting insurance to cover any damages, helping you avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost

Overhead food photography setups can vary widely in cost, but it’s important to balance quality and budget. Essential equipment such as a good camera, tripod, and lighting setup can be significant upfront costs – but they are so worth it in the long run. However, for those watching their budget initially, think about these tips:

• For beginners, budget-friendly options like using a smartphone with a phone mount can be a great starting point.
• Look for deals and discounts on essential equipment to save money.
• Investing in durable and versatile equipment can save money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Quality over quantity is the key here; fewer high-quality items can be more beneficial than numerous low-cost alternatives.

Real-world examples: Rainbow Plant Life

Rainbow Plant Life, run by Nisha, is a food blog that shows effective overhead food photography techniques. Nisha is known for her expertise in creating flavorful vegan recipes, entertaining cooking videos, and offering tips for making a vegan lifestyle both rewarding and easy. She uses stunning overhead photography to enhance her food blog, making her dishes look delicious. 

For instance, in her Dal Palak recipe, she uses a wide-angle flat lay to capture all the ingredients, adding captions to make the ingredients list visually interesting and informative.

Nisha’s creative approach to styling dishes adds visual interest to her shots. She often uses garnishes and cutlery to frame the final dish, incorporating a variety of textures and colors to guide the viewer’s eye. Another feature of her styling is cleanliness and minimalism. She avoids clutter, ensuring that the focus remains on the food itself. 

Through these techniques, Nisha’s Rainbow Plant Life blog shows how effective overhead food photography can transform simple ingredients into a visually captivating experience.

Food photography with WP Recipe Maker

Love how Nisha displays her recipes on her site? Well, she uses WP Recipe Maker. This tool is essential for ensuring that her recipes are presented professionally and aesthetically.

“There’s no sense in going to all that effort with your food photography if your blog doesn’t look good.”

Birthe Vandermeeren

Cofounder of Bootstrapped Ventures

• WordPress
• Instagram
• Mail

WP Recipe Maker offers a range of features that enhance the presentation and reach of Nisha’s content. Customizable templates allow her to match the look and feel of her blog, while inline ingredients make it easy for readers to follow along. Additionally, the plugin’s SEO optimization helps her recipes rank higher in search results, driving more traffic to her site.

Including food photography within the recipe step-by-step instructions has so many benefits:

• Photos help clarify instructions, making it easier for readers to understand each step, especially for complex techniques.
• Visuals show what each stage should look like, helping users know if they are on the right track.
• Well-shot food photos can make the recipe more appealing and engaging, encouraging readers to try it.
• Images can break up long blocks of text, making the instructions feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
• Combining visuals like photos or videos with text creates a richer, more interactive learning experience.
• Recipes with attractive photos are more likely to be shared, increasing their reach and popularity.
• High-quality photos can enhance the overall brand perception of a blog or website, showcasing professionalism and attention to detail.

Next step: Take stunning overhead photos for your food blog

By experimenting with lighting and angles, you can create visually captivating food photos. But remember, practice and experimentation are key to refining your skills. Nisha didn’t get her fanbase overnight – but she did spend long hours perfecting her photography skills. Oh, and she used WP Recipe Maker to help make her online recipes look great. 

If you want a successful food blog like Rainbow Plant Life, think about investing in quality equipment and tools like WP Recipe Maker to enhance the presentation of your recipes. By applying these techniques, you’ll elevate your food blog, making your dishes look as delicious as they taste!