Strong images are an essential part of any modern brand or restaurant. London has a really competitive food scene, with new restaurants launching weekly and food and drink products fighting for shelf space and attention.
So how do you stand out? Working with a professional food photographer isn’t optional anymore — it’s essential. High-quality images are the foundation of any successful campaign, product launch, or press coverage.
I’m a professional food photographer based in London, and I see first hand how much demand for quality visuals has grown in the past few years. Here, I’m going to explain what food photographers do and how professional food photography can enhance your brand. If you’re curious about budgets, here’s a clear guide on how much food photography costs in London.
What a food photographer actually does
So, what is a food photographer? A food photographer is that person responsible for turning your food and drinks into images that speak directly with your audience. There are many names for a food photographer - it could be a commercial food photographer, an editorial food photographer, a hospitality food & drinks photographer. And often a food photographer is all of these, but the job has the same essential main task: to make your food look irresistible.
I work with restaurants and hotels, food brands, marketing managers, chefs and food PR agencies. My projects range from photographing food for advertising campaigns to editorial shoots, social media, packaging imagery, and e-commerce. Each photo I create is the result of creativity and strategy, because images aren’t just art, but a business tool as well.
What happens before a photoshoot
The first stage of a photoshoot starts with a planning stage. A creative brief is the foundation of it, together with your team I explore your brand guidelines, what is the goal of this specific campaign and then we create a mood board.
Next up, I’ll create a shot list with a schedule, so nothing gets missed and we can make the most of the day shooting. Any detail necessary for the organisation of the photoshoot at this stage would help maximise the time available.
Where does the photoshoot happen? It could be in the comforts of my studio in North London or in a restaurant kitchen, warehouse or a live event. The location depends on the story we want to tell and also your team availability. These varied environments keep the work dynamic and rewarding. Each setting pushes me to adapt and stay creative.
On the day: How I shoot your food
With a shot list in hand, the shoot day becomes the moment where the creative ideas turn into reality and I can refine and explore those initial thoughts. I style the food, working with colours and shapes against background colours and textures - and coordinate people to give that human touch to images in the best possible lighting. Because we know lighting is everything!
Lighting wise, sometimes I’ll be chasing daylight for a natural vibe, other times I’ll build a controlled studio setup for polished and consistent products images.
Composition choices, from flat-lays to dramatic close-ups, would have been defined in the shot list stage, but there is some room for change during the shoot. Some food works best photographed top-down, some at 45˚, and some work with both.
I bring creative food photography ideas to the table — a rustic setup for an artisan bread company, or a bold, graphic look for a new product launch. For restaurants, I often balance plated dish shots with behind-the-scenes storytelling, interiors, and lifestyle images.
After the shoot: Editing the images
Once the cameras stop rolling, the editing begins. I refine the images white balance, contrast, and texture to ensure the food looks vibrant yet authentic. Retouching keeps the images clean while staying true to what your customers will see on the plate or shelf. I firstly go through wide selection of the best images with light retouching, before you choose your final selection and I will go into more detail with the selected images.
Why good photos help food brands & restaurants
In the UK food photography standards are high. Brands expect assets that work across e-commerce, social media, PR packs, and large-format print. Delivering polished, versatile imagery is part of why I love the work, the photos become tools your team can repurpose long after the shoot ends.
Why invest in professional photography? Because strong visuals boost your brand presence, photos make your products more desirable, and if that wasn’t enough, they are also likely to earn you press coverage. Journalists, influencers, and customers all respond to striking images.
The pros and cons of being a food photographer
From my side, there are both pros and cons to being a food photographer.
The pros: creative freedom, working with incredible food brands, and seeing campaigns come to life.
The challenges: long hours, the need for meticulous attention to detail, and the responsibility of delivering images that truly perform.
Real examples around London
London is a wonderful playground for food photographers in the UK. I’ve shot packaging campaigns for e-commerce brands in my studio in North London, I have captured lifestyle pub imagery in many areas of London such as Ealing, Herne Hill, Brixton, Liverpool street and photographed vibrant produce at Borough Market and Shoreditch. Each brand has a different identity and so the creative approach might be different to stay aligned to your brand identity. I like being versatile.
Wrap-Up
What will set your brand apart in today's market is powerful images. I am a food photographer in London with over 7 years of experience. I help food brands, hospitality businesses and PR teams create professional looking and striking images of delicious food and drinks that help get your business noticed and grow, attracting press and social media attention.
If you’re ready to elevate your brand visuals, see my services page for more details.