{"id":16727,"date":"2025-04-07T09:19:26","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T08:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/?p=16727"},"modified":"2025-12-04T09:54:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T09:54:25","slug":"how-to-get-the-best-from-a-food-photoshoot-by-ellen-richardson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/blog\/how-to-get-the-best-from-a-food-photoshoot-by-ellen-richardson\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get the Best from a Food Photoshoot – By Ellen Richardson"},"content":{"rendered":"

A conversation with food photographer Ellen Richardson<\/b><\/h3>\n

This month, we spoke to photographer Ellen Richardson<\/a> about how she approaches food shoots for Restaurants Brighton<\/a>. Ellen has worked with dozens of venues across the city and understands the balance between capturing your menu at its best and creating content that works across your platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Below, she shares what makes a shoot successful and how restaurant owners and marketing teams can help get the most from the session.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ellen<\/p>\n

How long do you typically spend on each dish?<\/b><\/h3>\n

I usually spend around 10 minutes with each dish. <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That allows time to create a unique setup and get a full range of photos. This includes close-ups to highlight presentation and ingredients, wider shots to show the dish in context with drinks or a dining table, and then some action shots \u2014 for example, pouring a sauce, cutting into the food or hands reaching in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"a<\/p>\n

Should we try to include as many dishes as possible?<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s tempting to do that, but in reality, less is more. <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Focusing on a smaller number of dishes means better results. For a one-hour shoot, four dishes is ideal. For two hours, around six to eight.<\/span><\/p>\n

That gives us time to create a wide variety of images for each dish, which will be much more versatile for your social media, website or print. Trying to cover too many dishes often means you only get two or three very basic shots of each. That\u2019s not a great return on your time or budget.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"a<\/p>\n

What happens after each dish has been photographed?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Once I\u2019ve captured the individual dishes, I\u2019ll style everything into a feasting scene. <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This shows off the menu as a whole and gives a great sense of atmosphere. It\u2019s also when we bring in people \u2014 if they\u2019re available \u2014 to clink glasses, serve each other, and enjoy the food. These shots are brilliant for storytelling and give a sense of the experience your venue offers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the venue and timing, I might leave all the action shots until the group scene to avoid disturbing the food before it\u2019s had its moment. Every shoot is slightly different, so we adapt as we go.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"table<\/p>\n

Can you include other elements like interiors or staff portraits?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Yes, if there\u2019s time. It depends on your priorities. <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If the food is the main focus, we\u2019ll concentrate there. But if you want to show off the cocktail bar, kitchen prep, or have some team portraits taken, that\u2019s all possible too \u2014 as long as we plan for it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"table<\/p>\n

How can venues prepare before a shoot?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Once we\u2019ve confirmed which dishes are being photographed, the main things to think about are:<\/span><\/p>\n