Food photography is now widely accessible, with smartphones and compact cameras able to take amazing, ready-to-use images. Since almost everyone owns a smartphone, whether Android or iPhone, it’s possible to capture delicious pictures perfect for Instagram, blogs, and even magazines. With just a few tips, you can achieve stunning results – this is especially useful for London food brands looking for quick and authentic ways to create content online.
Why would food brands want to use smartphones for food photography?
If you don’t have the budget or interest in investing in a professional camera, smartphones are an easy entry point for passionate foodie photographers. They are far less bulky, increasingly powerful, and more convenient than professional cameras. There’s also the argument that certain social platforms (such as TikTok) prefer more lo-fi “native content”, which can be easily achieved by taking quick snaps and videos on smartphones.
Still, for hero shots or advertising, most brands choose to invest in a top London food photographer who can deliver the best quality images.
Essential phone food photography tips for beginners
These tips focus on creating great images for social media with a simple setup.
1. Use natural light
Lighting is the starting point of photography — observe it carefully. During a photoshoot I have been asked many times if I wanted the restaurant lights on; people think having artificial lights on helps, but artificial light often makes food look flat, adding orange or blue tones depending on the bulb. On the other hand, natural indirect lighting is a great resource that can make colours and textures pop.
2. Try different angles
Find the best angle for your dish. Some foods work best from above, others at 45˚, and some at eye level.
Overhead shots (flat lays): Best for multiple dishes or flat foods such as pizzas.
45 degree shots: Great for plates with some height, like pasta dishes.
Eye-level shots: Perfect for cakes, burgers, and drinks.
Overall, overhead shots tend to work best on smartphones, as depth of field (naturally blurred backgrounds) is harder to achieve compared to professional cameras. Still, food can look more natural and honest on a phone.
Advanced smartphone food photography techniques
Learning manual settings on your phone gives you more control and can make your images look professional. To see how the pros work with these same principles in a studio, read my breakdown on what do food photographers do.
1. Master exposure with ISO & shutter speed
ISO controls light sensitivity. The higher the ISO, the more noise (grain) in the image. Keep it as low as possible (100–200) and test the difference at higher values.
Shutter speed affects sharpness, especially with movement (pouring shots, steam, fire). Use faster speeds for sharp images or slower speeds (like 1/60 sec) for creative blur. For slow speeds, a tripod is useful.
2. White balance for true colours
Artificial light can distort colours, so you may need to adjust white balance manually to keep food looking natural. Even natural light changes: sunny days (5500K) and cloudy days (6000K) produce different tones. Take the time to learn about lighting temperatures and work manually when you can, as many London restaurants use warm interior lighting.
Best practices across all phones
Be consistent: stick to a style, especially for Instagram or TikTok. Think about plate sizes, colours, and your overall identity.
Just like anything else, smartphone food photography is about practice. The more you shoot, the better you’ll get. Start with the basics — natural light, composition, and editing — then move into advanced settings if you want near professional results.
Follow these techniques and you’ll be on your way to capturing mouthwatering, scroll-stopping images. Ready to take your brand visuals further? Hire a professional London food photographer today.