Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Food Photographer
If there’s one thing I know better than most, it’s that food photography is a big investment. Because it can come with a hefty price tag, lots of my clients have some hesitancy around hiring a food photographer, which is completely understandable. That’s why I always encourage them to ask the right questions to make sure we’ll be a good fit for a collaboration before signing a contract.
Whether you're a restaurant owner, food blogger, business owner, or cookbook author, choosing the right food photographer can make a huge difference in how your culinary creations, recipes, or products appear in the photos. Here’s what to ask to make sure you find a good match:
Can I See Your Portfolio?
You can’t always judge a photographer by their portfolio, but given that it’s their calling card for work they’re proud of, it’s a good way to start! Reviewing a food photographer's portfolio can help you as a client understanding their style, expertise, and versatility. Pro-tip: look for consistency in quality and creativity across various projects rather than certain styles. A mishmash of styles doesn’t mean that the photographer doesn’t have a style—it means that they adapt well to clients’ styles to work within a brand!
Are You Familiar with Food Styling?
Unless you’re hiring a food stylist for your shoot, finding a photographer who’s comfortable styling your food is key! Ask your photographer about their experience working specifically with food and the category of food that your products or recipes live within. Food takes a special set of skills to capture textures, colors, and compositions, and it’s one of those things that you can’t fake!
Food styling goes hand in hand with photography. Tons of stylists I know also do photography on the side and vice versa. We often hire each others for shoots with big enough budgets to make the work go faster, but when a client has a smaller budget, we can do it all ourselves. Bottom line: a proficient food photographer should have a good understanding of food styling techniques to enhance the aesthetics of each shot.
Can You Work Within My Budget?
If there’s only one thing to take away from this piece, this is it: be honest and upfront with your photographer when you’re discussing your budget! I always stress this to clients, and here’s why. If you’re transparent about your financial constraints, I can help you figure out a package to best fit your needs. I’m in this business because I love food and people in food, and I’m always willing to work with you to find a compromise. And if your maximum budget and my minimum fees don’t match up, I’ll help you figure out when’s the right time in the future to reach out, add you to an email list to notify you about future sales, or find a friend who works within your budget. I’m here to help!
What is Your Process for Planning and Execution?
Understanding the photographer's workflow from concept to delivery is crucial for a seamless collaboration. Every photographer is as different as every food business, so it’s important to inquire about their approach to planning, scheduling, and executing photo shoots, including any pre-production meetings or consultations.
Good food photography doesn’t happen without effective communication and collaboration. Make sure the photographer is interested in your opinions and feedback so you get photos you’ll be proud to use!
How Do You Handle Post-Production?
Post-production plays a significant role in refining and enhancing food images, especially with the rise of AI! Ask your food photographer about their editing process, and make sure that they’ll deliver the final photos in the desired format and resolution. As a bonus, provide some examples of photos that are edited to fit your brand’s style so they can work from those!
What Sets You Apart from Other Food Photographers?
This last one is kind of a bonus question, but I think it’ll help you get a sense of your photographer’s personality. There are lots of food photographers, brands, restaurants, cookbooks, and personalities out there. It’s important to find the one that has a unique set of skills to fit your unique offerings! Whether it's their creative approach, attention to detail, or commitment to excellence, understanding their strengths can help you make an informed decision.