How to photograph dishes for your menu with a phone

A photo is often the first thing customers notice in a menu. A good one shows what will arrive at the table and helps people choose quickly. You can take it with an ordinary phone.

Light from a window

Shoot in the daytime by a window, without the flash. Soft side light gives a dish depth, while a flash adds glare and harsh shadows. If the sun shines straight in, cover the window with a thin white curtain.

A simple background

Clear the table: napkins, phones, other plates. A plain table or a wooden board makes the best background. Shoot every dish on the same background so the menu looks consistent.

The angle depends on the dish

• From above: pizza, salads, dishes served on a plate.
• At 45°: burgers, slices of cake, drinks in a glass.

A square frame

Menu photos are square, so put the dish in the middle of the frame and leave a little room at the edges. That way nothing is lost when it's cropped.

Keep it fresh

Shoot right after cooking, while there's still steam and the sauce hasn't dried. Wipe the rim of the plate. Take several shots and pick the best.

If you don't have photos, we'll help edit and prepare them for your menu when you set up TableTap.