Should you hire a restaurant photographer?

Deciding to hire a restaurant photographer can be daunting - especially for a small team or a local restaurant. It's an added cost and are professional photos really that much better than what you can shoot on your phone? The short answer is: yes! A professional food photographer can capture food in a way that is unique to your restaurant - and that appeals to your ideal customer. We live in a highly visual world, so having powerful imagery can help you stand out in a saturated market.

A good photographer can also help you figure out exactly what you need, even if you don't know yourself.

So now that you've decided to take the plunge, here are some tips to help you hire the right photographer for your business. Let's make sure you have a great experience!

Look at portfolios

This one is simple: before you hire someone, make sure you like their previous work. Nowadays, you can find much of a photographer's work online. When thinking about who to hire, look for their websites and social media. If they have a blog, it's also helpful to see previous restaurant shoots and case studies, to give you an idea of what you'll be getting. For example, you can see some of my previous restaurant shoots here, here and here.

Have a discovery call with potential photographers

In my opinion, this step is essential! A discovery call allows you to see if you have a connection with the person on the other side of the line. Pick someone with whom you see eye to eye, and who understands your vision. During the call, you can discuss the mood you are looking for, ask what gear they use, discuss timeframes, and ask any questions you might have.

Remember that you are hiring a person; it is important that you get along and feel comfortable with whomever you pick.

Decide on a mood or aesthetic

From a branding perspective, you want your photos to match your restaurant's overall aesthetic. For example, the shots for a dark, candle-lit, romantic French bistro will have a very different aesthetic than a pop-y, poké bowl lunch spot. Do you want your shots to be dark or bright? Saturated or toned down? Busy or clean? Warm or cold? Do you want the dishes to be intact, or do you want human elements and people interacting with them? Once you roughly know what you're going for, explain the mood to the photographer you want to hire. And make sure they are happy to meet your vision.

Understand time frames

It's very important to have realistic expectations when you hire a restaurant photographer. Shooting single dishes from the same angle is a lot quicker than shooting elaborate scenes with many different dishes. Similarly, shooting an action shot will take longer than shooting a static photo of the dish. This is why (good) photographers will usually not quote their price based on the number of shots they will deliver.

Trust the estimate on time frames that the photographer gives you. It's often not about quantity, but about quality.

Set up a mood board and shot list with your photographer

Once you have the aesthetic and types of shots nailed down, it's time for your photographer to get into the nitty gritty. It's time to create a mood board and/or shot list for the day.

A mood board is basically a collection of images. Think of a Pinterest board, or a collage! Ideally, you can collaborate with the photographer to create the mood board. As a client, you get to approve of the mood board before setting up the shoot. It's important to be on the same page, to make sure that you are happy with the photos you get.

A shot list, on the other hand, is a checklist of all the photos that they will take on the day. The photographer will use the shot list to make sure they meet the brief.

Discuss the use of the photos

There are two main issues when considering how you will use of the photos: one is pricing and one is orientation.

When it comes to pricing, the more uses you are allowed, the more you will need to pay. For example, photos used solely on your website and social media should be cheaper than photos used on a national ad campaign.

The uses of the photos will also predetermine how the images will be shot. The sizing and orientation for Instagram is different from a banner on your website. You need to discuss where you plan to use the photos ahead of time so the photographer can shoot accordingly. If your website has specific size requirements, it's a good share those too.

Ask to see some photos

It's good practice for your photographer to shoot tethered - meaning with their camera connected to a laptop. That way, you can also see the shots as they are being taken. While editing and post-production will alter the final look, you can get a feel and see if you like what is being captured. If you have concerns, this is the time to talk to your photographer and tweak things as you go along.

Understand you won't be getting all the shots

This is often a bone of contention between restaurant owners/managers and photographers. An amateur photographer might be happy to give you all the (unedited) shots taken on the day. Most professional photographers will not. Instead, they will make a selection of the best shots, edit them, and deliver those to you.

That's all folks!

I hope this has made your decision to hire a restaurant photographer easier. If have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch! And if you'd like to work together, I'd love to hear from you.

Let's be social! You can always connect with me on Instagram or Pinterest.