A conversation with photographer Jo Hunt
Lighting can transform a simple food photo into something truly eye-catching. We spoke with professional photographer Jo Hunt about how she works with light in different settings and why it’s worth giving lighting the time and attention it deserves. From sunlight to flash, moody cocktails to fresh daytime brunches – here’s how Jo captures food at its best.
How do you approach lighting when setting up for a food shoot?
I always assess the lighting in the space first and work backwards from there. If there’s good natural light, I’ll often use it. I used to avoid direct sunlight, but now I enjoy working with it to create a warm, sunny atmosphere — especially when that suits the venue and the food.
While the food and drink are the focus, it’s important to place them in context, so I’ll often include some of the surrounding space. I always bring a reflector and a flash with diffusers. Flash is useful in dark spaces and for freezing action, like pouring sauces or squeezing lemon juice. I’ll sometimes blend flash with ambient light to capture both the ‘glow’ of the venue and give the food a visual lift.
What role does lighting play in shaping the mood of a food photo?
It’s fundamental. Lighting is what shapes the image and defines its mood. With the right mix of flash, ambient light and a diffuser, you can take a dish or drink from ordinary to exceptional.
Do you prefer natural light, artificial light, or a mix of both?
I enjoy working with all types of light. It depends on the environment, and I like the challenge of adapting to each space. Over the last few years I’ve grown to love using flash, simply because it gives me so many creative options and helps me capture a wider range of interesting images.
Can you share a time when you adjusted lighting to suit a brand?
Definitely. For E39, I made use of strong natural sunlight coming through the windows, using a reflector to soften the shadows. That created a bright, summery feel. At The Coal Shed, where it’s much darker, I used flash to create a moody, evening atmosphere that matched the tone of the restaurant.
The Practical Side of Lighting
When does natural light work best, and when do you prefer flash?
Natural light works well for creating soft, bright images — particularly for daytime shoots. Flash, on the other hand, is brilliant for freezing action, like drink pours or a dusting of sugar. It also gives you full control over the quality and direction of the light. With flash, I can create a soft light source and position it to backlight a shot, for example, which would be hard to achieve with natural light.
What do you do when the lighting conditions aren’t ideal?
I’ll work with what’s there, using a tripod and longer exposures if needed, and I often bring in flash to brighten things up or add more interest. Flash is essential on grey days or in darker venues — it means I can shoot any time of day, in any conditions.
Do you ever move the setup to chase better light?
Yes — I’ve been known to follow streaks of sunlight around a restaurant. Ambient light can be unpredictable, but when it’s good, it’s worth making the most of it. A quick shift can make all the difference to the shot.
What are some common lighting mistakes?
The big one is leaving overhead interior lights on. These often cast yellow or orange tones, which can ruin the look of the food. Even a bright space can look off if it’s lit with the wrong bulbs. It’s better to turn them off and work with natural light — ideally between 11am and 3pm in summer.
Creating Different Effects
How do you create soft, natural daylight effects indoors?
I use a flash with a large diffuser. This mimics the look of natural daylight, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
What’s your approach to moody lighting for cocktails?
I usually work with two flashes. One might have a grid to direct the light more like a spotlight, while the second gives a bit of back or side light. This helps the drink stand out against a darker background. I’ll often blend this with ambient light to capture the atmosphere, and I look for extras like candles or interesting fittings to enhance the feel.
How do you capture movement like sauce pours or sprays?
Backlighting is key for things like steam, whether using flash or natural light. For quick action shots — cocktail sprays, squeezing citrus, sugar dustings — flash is essential. It freezes the motion and brings out fine details.
Can you explain backlighting, side lighting and front lighting?
Backlighting places the main light source behind the subject, almost in line with the camera. It can add depth and glow. Side lighting comes in from the left or right and creates strong shadows that add shape and texture. Front lighting, where the light hits the subject head-on, often results in flatter images with less dimension.
Lighting and Branding
How do you tailor lighting to match a brand or venue?
If a restaurant has a moody, evening feel, the lighting should reflect that. I’ll use flash to create drama or work with the ambient light to keep the tone consistent. A café that’s all about bright, healthy breakfasts needs light that feels fresh and uplifting — either through window light and a reflector, or recreating that look with flash and a diffuser.
Do certain lighting styles work better for certain types of food?
Not always, but there are patterns. Fine dining tends to lean towards darker, more dramatic lighting. Street food is usually brighter and more vibrant. That said, there’s room to be creative — The Mesmerist shoot is a great example of applying moodier lighting in a more casual venue.
What’s the biggest misconception about lighting in food photography?
That it’s quick and easy. Good lighting takes time, patience, and often a bit of trial and error.
Why Longer Shoots Make a Difference
What can be achieved with more time?
Longer shoots allow for multiple lighting setups. I can adapt the lighting across different parts of the shoot — food, drinks, kitchen action, interiors. It gives us space to be creative and try different looks.
Why is extra time important for dynamic shots?
Time lets us explore the venue, experiment with ideas and get the lighting just right. Shots like moody cocktails, steamy dishes or action scenes take setup. Rushing that part limits what we can create.
Can you share an example where extra time paid off?
There are several, but one standout was a shoot where we had time to light the bar separately from the dining area. We were able to create two distinct sets of images — one warm and inviting, one dramatic and bold — all in the same session. The variety made a big impact across the venue’s marketing channels.
More information about Jo can be found on the Jo Hunt professional photography website.