How to Take Great Food Photos With Your Phone
Great Photos Sell More Food
Studies show that menu items with photos get 30% more orders than items without. But you don't need to hire a professional photographer — your smartphone can do an amazing job with a few simple techniques.
5 Tips for Better Food Photos
1. Use Natural Light
The single biggest improvement you can make. Shoot near a window with natural daylight. Avoid flash — it makes food look flat and unappetizing. Overcast days actually produce the best, most even lighting.
2. Shoot from Above or 45 Degrees
The two most flattering angles for food:
- Overhead (flat lay): Perfect for pizzas, salads, bowls, and platters
- 45-degree angle: Great for burgers, sandwiches, tall dishes, and drinks
3. Style the Scene
A few simple props make a big difference:
- Use a clean, simple background (wooden table, marble, or plain cloth)
- Add utensils, napkins, or ingredients as props
- Leave some negative space — don't crowd the frame
4. Focus on the Hero
Tap on the main dish to focus. Use portrait mode if your phone has it — the slight background blur makes the food pop.
5. Edit Lightly
A quick edit can transform a good photo into a great one:
- Bump up brightness slightly
- Increase saturation just a touch
- Crop to remove distracting edges
- Don't over-filter — food should look real and appetizing
Uploading to Menuy
Menuy automatically optimizes your photos for fast loading. Upload the highest quality original — we handle the rest. Each item supports multiple photos, so you can show different angles or preparation styles.
Quick Checklist
- Natural light (near a window)
- Clean background
- Overhead or 45-degree angle
- Focus on the food
- Light editing only
- Upload to Menuy
Your digital menu is only as good as the photos on it. Spend an afternoon photographing your best dishes and watch your menu come to life.