Food photography is an art that demands precision, creativity, and meticulous planning. However, even the most seasoned creators can face challenges that disrupt their shoot day workflow, from unexpected lighting issues to uncooperative ingredients. If you've ever found yourself struggling to keep your photoshoots on track, you're not alone. In this comprehensive guide, my 87 talented friends and I are offering our first-hand experience and actionable tips in order to turn your next session into a seamless success.
If you are hungry to learn about another subjects, make sure to check the previous episodes of my Pro Tips blog series here.
What is their pro tip for an efficient shoot day?
Before you scroll any further, get comfy, grab your favourite notebook and pen, then get ready to dive into this inspiring read!
"Have a pre shoot day where you prepare everything for the shoot day."
Shiela Cruz - CPG photographer and stylist
"Don't be relaxed! I'm the most creative when I'm tired... There's no such thing as everything being perfect, so just do it!"
Anita Zsirmik - food blogger, content creator
"Having everything that I need at hand and all prepared in boxes (my props) and having a good light (I know exactly at what time the light/sun will touch the setting). Knowing your environment makes everything easier and more efficient."
Sophie Depetris - photographer, food stylist
"Get a good nights sleep! I know this may sound sill, but photoshoots can be stressful and if we are not well rested, then we get agitated more easily which will affect how well we do the job."
Anja Burgar - commercial and editorial food photographer
"Be prepared. If it means baking or cooking something the night before, then do it if it works for the recipe. Write out everything you need for the shoot day - props, linens, backdrops, etc. and create a shot list of what you want to capture."
Kristina Cadelina - food photographer, blogger
"Plan your day as much as possible. Make a shot list showing the order in which you would like to take the images. It is important to try and shoot, let's say all top view images first and then front view afterwards, to avoid wasting too much time changing the setup again and again."
Mikkel Jul Hvilshøj - photographer
"Preparation is everything: Cook, bake, slice and dice, freeze whatever is needed pior to shoot day. Ensure you have all your props in one place, ready to grab them when you need them while you are shooting. At this point you should have compiled a shoot list that you only have to run down the day of the shoot. You should also compile a timetable for the day, there might be foods that can only be cooked or prepared on the day of the shoot, slot the time on your timetable for that and know when to shot which dish keeping light conditions in mind if you are shooting with natural light and or members of your team that day, which could be food stylists, models, clients etc."
Melissa - photographer, blogger
"Perpare well, plan to arrive (if on location) an hour early, so that you can find the location, grab a coffee and use a toilet before hand, so you don't arrive late, flustered and desperate for the loo! Stick to the predetermined shoot list where possible and allow time for setting up and then packing up in your schedule."
Jason Wain - photographer, videographer
Photo by © Jason Wain
"Preparation. Research and mood board help you get good ideas to start the shoot, and helps you with the list of items you may need that day so you don't run out of ingredients, props and have all the necessary equipment. Shot list can help a lot too."
Kamile Kave - photographer
"Plan and organize your shoot day efficiently by creating a detailed schedule, preparing your gear in advance, scouting locations beforehand, and having a clear vision of the shots you want to capture."
Sari Spåra - entrepreneur, food and wine photographer, recipe creator
"For a professional and efficient shoot day, the key is thorough preparation. Anticipate your needs by preparing all props and surfaces in advance. Organize everything according to the sequence of shots you've planned."
Peggy Cormary - photographer
"Have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and plan ahead. But don't be afraid to change course if you are not satisfied with how the shoot is going. Also have fun!"
Snorri Guðmundsson - photographer, recipe developer, product development manager in the food industry
"Many say - if you have one good of a hundred photos, you've made the day. In the commercial world, that is when you get the client's photo, and they are happy with the result. Make a shooting list. Check the points. Job done. I know there are always some extra captures that might be even better than the planned, those are a bonus."
Milena Ugrinova (Mim) - food and product photographer
"Plan ahead. Not only the images itself, but what you want to take with you. Know the space where you will be shooting in, know the props you want to use and always take some extra with you!"
Maaike Zaal - food- and beverage photographer
"Planning in advance is vital. I use natural light so know the best times of day to shoot depending on the season. Ensure that all elements of the food are ready on time. Draw those rough sketches of each scene and choose your props and backdrops in advance. If you're working at home mute your phone and get stuck in."
Jane Coupland - food photographer, food blogger
"Plan each shot and time it will take. I always get my assistant to call out times and if we need to move onto the next shot.This can be done with a timer if no assistant is available."
Matt Wilson - photographer
Photo by © Matt Wilson
"I do a rough sketch of the shot list so I can quickly refer to it visually without having to read descriptions sent by the client. After each shot I cross it out."
Jules Wilson-Haines - photographer, stylist
"Have a good breakfast beforehand! If I don't do this I run the risk of eating the props before I have the killer shot!"
Sandy Wood - photographer
"Make a shooting plan, obtain all ingredients and props and test the equipment and software before you start your shooting."
Andrea Köver - food photographer
Photo by © Andrea Köver
"Being prepared to deal with unexpected events/situations effectively."
Anna Ilieva-Alikaj - photographer
"Preparation is everything. Props, mood board, styling tools. Cook the food the night before if possible, especially when shooting with natural light. I also check the weather forecast to know when/if I’m going to get good light."
Natalia Ashton - nutritionist, photographer, author
"Get organized and travel light. And when I mean get organized, I mean that you have to organize all of your equipment in a way that you do not forget anything at home. I've had occasions where I leave a battery charging at home and have to leave the shoot to go back and get it. Now I have a case for my batteries, and make sure that I double check everything before I leave."
Robert Alvarez - photographer
"Prepare! Make sure you have gathered all your props, set aside uninterrupted time, if you have frozen items or hot items to shoot, set up your scene with everything you need, photograph and edit the preliminary images before you even get anything out of the freezer or oven. Then you just introduce the hero food and shoot."
Leeanne Mason - food photographer, photo chef, food stylist, content creator
Photo by © Leeanne Mason
"Don't rush your day, things don't come in handy when you rush. Make sure every photo is done right, approved by client. That's the most efficient."
Victor Chin - food photographer
Photo by © Victor Chin
"Be realistic about how many recipes or products you can take in a single day. You don't want to be rushing in to reach a set quota, and if you happen to be quicker than you think fit in that extra shot if you can without stress."
Emilie Dorange - photographer, designer
"Planning and having everything ready, including the subject, props, backdrops, location, and chosen light (artificial or natural), is crucial. Since I don't have a studio and juggle family and work, selecting the right hours ensures I can work without being disturbed."
Kata Endrődi - photographer
Photo by © Kata Endrődi
"Know exactly what you need to photograph. Have a list of all the shots. Have all your props ready. Make sure that all the technology is ready as well - cards are formatted, batteries are full and charged."
Julia Konovalova - food photographer, food stylist, content creator
"Proper planning is the most important. You draw up your schedule and you keep it during the day. You should be doing some test of your ideas the previous day, put the set together if you can and also test the lights, so no surprises coming at you at shooting day."
Tibor Galamb - photographer, director
Photo by © Tibor Galamb
"Plan, plan, plan. I can't say it enough. From selecting props, writing a shot list and setting up your equipment the day ahead of time can free up much needed time on shoot day for possible technical troubles or other hang ups."
Mary Turner - commercial food photographer, stylist, chef
"Plan ahead. I usually do a test shoot the prior day and have the backgrounds, props, ingredients, garnishes, light, lenses, etc. selected."
Emily Miller - food photographer, recipe developer
"Prepare before you start shooting. Plan the props you think will fit your scene (it’s ok to have more than what you’ll actually use, as sometimes it’s nice to try out a few options as you are shooting). If the dish (or part of the dish) you’re shooting can be prepared in advance, do so, that way you won’t add another task to manage on the day of your shoot."
Murielle Banackissa - food photographer, food stylist, cookbook author and blogger
Photo by © Murielle Banackissa
"Get so much preparation in advance, preferably the day before (cooking, picking dishes and clothes for shooting, settings the scene....) so you actually begin your day in great fit, full of energy."
Sanja Alisic - blogger, food stylist
"Be prepared, be on time, rest after a few hours of shooting, eat, go back and finish the day."
Karen Loza - food photographer and stylist
"Prioritizing what really needs to get done TODAY. Asking for help and support can relieve so much pressure!"
Lara Virkus - food photographer
"Haha, as I said earlier I'm not that great at being efficient. Looking at my notes, trying to get everybody out of the apartment and have the food prepared."
Ulrica Krii - photographer, blogger
Photo by © Ulrica Krii
"Do things in the right order. Imo that is start with a plan and thinking about the story you want to tell. Select props accordingly. Then if applicable, do the grocery's making sure you have the best looking ingredients. Build your set, set your lights right and build your composition with stand ins and empty plates. When you're happy with that, only then start cooking/preparing the dish. And take the pictures. Always start with the money shots and when time is on your side, end with making some shots that are totally different or give some life to it; for example food that looks like it is partially eaten, make some 'mess' etc. Of course it makes a lot of difference if you are shooting for a client (with a time schedule or a lot of dishes to shoot) or making personal work."
Anoeska Vermeij - photographer
Photo by © Anoeska Vermeij
"Plan ahead, get everyone on the same page before shoot day so everyone has seen and agreed to all sketches, props/surfaces/talent/wardrobe/etc., as well as the shot list ahead of time. Make sure your decision-maker is on set or available all day remotely so they can quickly view and approve as you move through the shot list."
Suzanne Clements - photographer
"Have a shot list ready to go so you know what needs to be accomplished. Also I like to have all of my props and surfaces pulled prior to the shoot, so that I'm not having to make as many creative decisions on the fly."
Joanie Simon - photographer
"Always shoot tethered to a computer, make sure you are also pre-lighting before the shoot day and have a breakdown of the shot list to ensure time for each image without having to rush."
Aline Ponce & Mike Hulswit - professional photographers
"Planning. Prepare everything ahead if possible. If the food holds, prepare it the day before. Have a shotlist, so you know exactly what set-up/composition is the next and how many images have you done. Write down what kind of props you'll use for each setup."
Susi Bálint - stylist, photographer, writer
"You have to be organized. Stick to the plan or improve it. You have to have all the things you have planned before, ready to use. When you are shooting you are taking photos, not answering email, not chatting on social media or not cooking."
Emese Balog - food blogger
"Plan, plan, plan... Always plan prior to any shoot. Start by thoroughly communicating with clients beforehand to understand their expectations and preferences. Develop a comprehensive packing list encompassing all necessary equipment, props, and backgrounds, particularly for on-location shoots. Prioritize the creation of a detailed shoot list for the day to ensure that every essential aspect is captured without oversight."
Maxine Lock - photographer
Photo by © Maxine Lock
"Be prepared as you can - always make sure you charge you battery!"
Sam Robson - food photographer
"Plan ahead. If on location write a list of what you need to take, and pack ahead. Always take a spare battery and memory card. I got caught out once when rushing out on a shoot, I forgot to check my bag and had no spare memory card available when the one in my camera failed."
Birgit Mayled - photographer
"Prep your shots! Set up your camera, lights, props and backdrops the morning of or evening before, gather all your ingredients and finished dishes and sketches and then get to work."
Dorothy Porker - food writer, photographer
"There is only one way to have an efficient shoot, everything should be planned in advance. Whether it is a personal project or a client shoot, all decisions from concept to props to sequences of dishes should be decided prior to the shoot day so that the only focus on shoot day is to execute and improvise as you go. Decisions that are left for shoot day are time delayers."
Dyutima Jha - food photographer, food stylist, podcaster
"I must say that this is not always my strongest part of me, because I shoot a lot based on my feeling. But i always have a chat upfront the shoot with my client, I always ask them to make a mood board, so I'm pretty sure what he or she has in mind."
Maurizio Previti - photographer
"For me, the most important thing is to maintain my health, and when healthy every day suits me: it can be a weekend or a weekday. When I feel I need inspiration, I use a trick: I give myself the joy of something beforehand, often my favourite sweets, to start shooting with a positive attitude. This helps me to create more easily and enjoy every shot."
Halyna Vitiuk - food photographer
"On the day of the shoot, confirm and organize your client communication. Ensure that agreements on communication methods, whether it's in-person meetings, Zoom sessions, or email exchanges, are established and understood by all parties involved. This clarity fosters a smooth and collaborative atmosphere during the shoot, allowing for efficient coordination and addressing any last-minute details or preferences."
Alessandra Zanotti - food photographer, food stylist
Photo by © Alessandra Zanotti
"Make/draw a sketch, plan what ingredients/requisites you will need. Buy it a day before the shoot day. On the photoshoot day do everything step by step as planned and if something goes wrong you will have time to fix it."
Mihails Pavlenko - food and product photographer
"Calm and clear mind, open to on the shoot variations/ accommodations, good ground work a.k.a home work, mood boards - plan A and plan B for backup. Of course, a fully charged battery, a sturdy tripod, a back up battery pack and tons of digital cards."
Shwetha Elaina - food photographer and stylist
"Pre plan everything possible. Inspect the location before the shoot day so you have an idea about the lighting and the place, have an idea about the dishes or shots you are going to shoot, prepare a mood board or inspiration doc / styling doc with all the details and plan your shots so you don't have to spend more time during the shoot deciding on styling and everything."
Anjala Fernando - food photographer, food stylist
"Planning shots in advance. Charging batteries in advance. Planning props in advance."
Gouthami Yuvarajan - food and product photographer
"Plan in advance! Decide what props, backgrounds, etc. you want to use beforehand and set them aside. Or, make a list! This can be a list of the props you want to use, but also a list of angles etc. you want to take (shot list)."
Felicia Chuo - photographer
"Plan ahead and plan to fail. There's rarely a time when everything works out EXACTLY as planned but there is room to pivot and have a backup plan if obstacles arise."
Anisa - photographer, recipe developer
"Determine as many details of the session as possible, make a session plan and a shopping list. Act according to the plan."
Monika Grudzińska - photographer, food stylist
"Even I am not good with a planning, to have a plan really makes the things easier. In case I would like to include to my story also the preparation phase, I make usually the cake twice - one in advance, to have already the cake done and then with the second one I make the process shots. Also the day in advance (for bigger shoots which are more time consuming) I prepare and test the background, props and styling."
Alena Prichystalova - photographer, blogger
"Scheduling and perfecting your processes. And have pauses!"
Veera Rusanen - photographer
"Plan ahead, have your mood board ready and stick with your plans."
Sangita Bhavsar - food blogger, photographer, stylist
"Planning your shooting day from A to Z : choosing your props & backdrops, setting up the light, recharging the batteries of your equipment, defining the plates to shoot."
Massiel Zadeh Habchi - food photographer and stylist
"Good preparation the day before and a schedule are worth their weight in gold."
Carolin Strothe - professional photographer, food stylist, stylist, art director, author
"Planning ! I like to create a mood board the day before so my mind already know what kind of props and atmosphere I'll make. Also, having a shot list helps me a lot being productive. I know what kind of images I want to capture and helps me in the narrative of the photoshoot."
Constance Ibañez - food stylist, food photographer, food event creator
Photo by © Constance Ibañez
"On my food blog, I mainly work with natural light out of enjoyment. When planning an efficient shoot day with natural light, it helps that you know how to work your space during all four seasons and take an interest to check the weather forecasts. But generally, getting my gear ready the night before and eating a good breakfast gets me through any kind of photo shoot."
Saara - photographer
"Prepare your mise en place if you are shooting alone without a stylist, and have a shot list ready to make sure you know what to expect next. Plan a dedicated time for each shot list so you’ll manage the time properly. Start from a simpler composition to a more complex one to make the shoot more efficient."
M. Aimee Tan - food photographer, videographer, stylist, content creator, recipe developer
"Have a shot list ready on hand that you’ve sent out to everyone who needs it before you start. That way the day can run as efficiently as possible. I try to group either images that have the same set, or the same dishes together to avoid moving around the set between shots as much as possible."
Lauren Short - food photographer
"Create a timetable with all the steps of the shoot day, hour per hour and possibly prepare some food/dishes the day before."
Marika Cucuzza - food photographer, content creator, recipe developer, food stylist
"Counterintuitive maybe but…take your time. Rushing is never a good idea."
Roberta Dall’Alba - photographer
"Concentration and awareness. Plan you day the night before. When you work on a project all day it drains your energy. Get up on time so you don’t have to hurry and you avoid stress. Have breakfast and write a list about all the things you want to focus on so you don’t miss them during photoshoot. That helps to have one less thing to keep in mind during the day. Create a mood board for the project with your ideas. It can help tremendously if you stuck and need inspiration. But the most important thing is to close out everything else during photoshoot, focus on what’s right in front of you and let you imagination fly, because you are doing what you love. What could give you a bigger freedom than that? Always start the follow-up work the day after with a clean head."
Liliána Tóth - food photographer
Photo © Liliána Tóth
"First of all, planning. Prepare what you can the day before, i.e. plan a scene so that the next day you can put the final food or products there and shoot. Secondly, it's helpful to write down the shots you want to take - flatlay, straight ahead, close-ups, movement shots, shots of fresh ingredients before you prepare the food - if you have all the necessary scenes in mind, it's easier to make a plan of how to sequence them."
Katarzyna Anders - food and product photographer and stylist, recipe developer, content creator, blogger
"Be nice and friendly to everyone you encounter during the shoot. Don't try to do everything yourself. If your budget can afford it, get a food stylist to work with you. If there is even more budget, get an assistant as well. A producer is huge help for even bigger shoots. If you do have to work alone, get to the location early so you have enough time to prepare everything the way you like it and don't get stressed out. Hydrate! Wear comfortable shoes and stretch regularly."
Andrea Gralow - professional commercial and editorial food photographer, videographer
"Like mentioned earlier. Pre-planning. Get that mood board approved from the client. make sure everything is planned as per the mood board."
Indrajeet Nishad - food photographer and stylist
"Create an extensive pack list for off-site shoots. That way you can simply tick off gear /props as you put them in the car, making sure you don't forget anything you may need on the day."
Julia Wharington - photographer, videographer, stylist
"Plan, organize and prepare well ahead, double check everything and clean as you go (if possible)."
Jella Bertell - food blogger, photographer
"Plan an efficient shoot day by organising your gear in advance, scouting locations, and having a clear shot list. It’s good to experiment with different angles to observe how the light and shadows are changing."
Anna Janecka - photographer, food stylist
"Plan and organize everything in advance. This includes charging your camera batteries, cleaning lenses, setting up your equipment, and preparing any props or backdrops you might need. Outline a shot list with all the images you want to capture. This helps you stay focused and ensures that you don't miss any important shots. Having a plan in place saves time and helps you work more efficiently throughout the day."
Darina Kopcok - food photographer, educator
Photo by © Darina Kopcok
"Make sure you have all the ingredients needed as well an idea of props, style and story you are going after. Make sure you have time on hand and you will be undisturbed while shooting. Trust me, I know about this one, shooting with little kids around is always full of surprises. Try to have an open mind about obstacles that happen during the shoot. Sometimes this can lead to the unusual situations and it brought me to the finals of the Pink Lady food photographer of the year award. With kids entering the frame I had to reframe my story a little and that brought me to something I didn't plan but liked so much afterwards."
Mojca Klepec - food photographer
"Meticulous planning and preparation are key for a smooth and creative photo shoot. The more you can plan ahead, such as food preparation and creating a mood board on platforms like Pinterest, the more mental and creative energy you'll have to focus on the actual artistic process. I find that having a draft draw in my booklet with layout ideas - along with a checklist of needed accessories and ingredients - is immensely helpful. It's quite frustrating to realize you're out of a crucial ingredient or lack a well-shaped lemon on the day of the shoot, leading to last-minute rushes to the store. Planning ahead ensures a more seamless and enjoyable creative process."
Melinda Bernáth - food photographer
"PREPARATION
I plan and organize my shots in advance, create a detailed shot list, and set up my equipment the day before. This ensures a smooth workflow on the day of the shoot. Additionally, I try to communicate clearly with my clients, to streamline the validation process."
Anita Zivkovic - food photographer, photography coach
Photo by © Anita Zivkovic
"An efficient shoot day for me involves preparing those elements in the food photo that can be made in advance. I make sketches of the variety compositions I have in mind and use them as a reference point as I work. I pay constant attention to the changes of the light, as I only work with natural lighting."
Terri Salminen - blogger, food culture researcher
"Plan and organize by each hour and separate emailing, calls and editing hours."
Harsha Sipani - commercial photographer
"Plan, plan and plan! Plan out the entire day you’ll be at shoot. I make sure I have every minute of the shoot planned - with buffer time, of course in case there are hindrances. Also, have backup equipment- batteries, flash, props etc."
Yashaswita - photographer
"Be as prepared and open for changes as possible. Sometimes you need to really stick to the script, other times just go with whatever happens."
David Pahmp - commercial advertising photographer
"Planning ahead and writing down your goals and the end results you want to achieve such as what angles, shots and elements you want to capture."
Dina Hassan - food photographer, videographer
Photo & BTS by © Dina Hassan
"It starts with a good planning, sketching, mood board. I begin with lighting, and of course you would need to adjust during the shooting, setting up the tethering station."
Monika Jonaite - food- and product photographer, food stylist, recipe developer
"In addition to the creative brief, I like to sketch the scenes as it helps me visualising if the previous theories would work in practice. After capturing everything on the shot list, if possible, I spend a few minutes with additional creative exploration - I actually ended up with many great results this way over the years. I source raw ingredients and props in advance, and prep as much food as possible prior the shoot day. When I'm in deep focus, I often forget to drink and eat altogether, so I keep a bottle of water and some snacks directly on my desk as a reminder. For shoots at an external locationI I use a gear checklist, where I mark that an item is packed both prior the shoot and on the way home."
Reka Csulak - photographer, mentor
Photo by © Reka Csulak
Photo by © Reka Csulak
