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Struggling to make your food photos look mouth-watering instead of flat? Whether you’re a food blogger, restaurant owner, or photographer, these five food photography mistakes can make or break your shot. From lighting and composition to styling details, here are the top don’ts in my food photography tips, and how to fix them.

Cheesy pear pizza photographed using natural window light.

1. Don't let the cheese cool!

Don't let the cheese cool! This might sound silly, but this can make or break a shot! Just picture the difference between that ooey gooey, fresh out of the oven cheese pull shot vs stale day old pizza. You know what that looks like and I think you know which one you'd rather eat. Pictures should entice you to eat the food. If it's not, then it might be time for a reshoot! 


Cheese is super particular, depending on the recipe. But in general, it can cool quickly and get a thick layered coat on top that is not ideal. Worst case, try reheating it. But for the best results shoot it straight out of the oven!


2. Don't forget to spritz

Meat in cast-iron pan sprayed with olive oil to make it shine for food photos.

Spritz your food! This is great for a variety of occasions: drinks, berries, pastas, meats, and more! All of which use a different kind of spray, but achieve the same affect. The goal is to make your mouth water, and nothing does that more than when food is glistening. I like to be authentic when I shoot, which means having edible food afterwards. So I use water and olive oil mainly. But there are various sprays you can use to get the look done. Takeaway: You can never have too much shine!

A well-lit white plate of sliced steak, mushroom risotto, and steamed broccoli against a blue background.

Tip 5. Don't overthink it

When in doubt about your creation, sometimes the best thing is to step back and take away an object. Food is gorgeous on its own, so don't overthink the background. Often times, too much in the background is overkill for food. As a food photographer here in Utah, I think of fast food or menu items that are just the food on a white backdrop and we drive near and far to eat those items. The food should be the star of the show, so let it stand for itself. If you've followed the tips previous to this last, you'll be set up for a great shot and won't need much else.

Bonus Tip

Food photography is literally the best, because who doesn't love to play with their food for a living??? Be creative, let loose and have fun. There's no set rules to it, just advice on ways to improve. But there is always room to explore and push the boundaries, so don't let anything get in the way of your creative flow. Enjoy the ride and let your foodie senses guide!