Food Photography Resources

I graduated to a DSLR with the Canon EOS Rebel T3i in August 2012 and used the kit 18-55 mm lens for quite some time. The Rebel was a big step up from my point and shoot and I really was happy with the improvement in my photos.

The current version available for sale in this series is the  Canon EOS Rebel T7i Camera.

If you already have a DSLR and want to add a prime lens (one with a fixed focal length which means you “zoom” in and out by physically moving closer or farther from your subject rather than turning the lens attached to your camera), a good entry lens for food photography is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens.

I’ve used this lens consistently for a few years and like the detail I can capture in my food while creating bokeh (the blurriness of the background).  This lens has a fixed focal length with a maximum aperture of f/1.8. 

The lens is affordable and made an instant difference in the quality of my photography.

 There is another option from Canon for this prime lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. It is a higher quality lens and is more expensive.

Any time you buy a new lens, be sure to purchase a UV Protection Lens Filter.

This is an inexpensive way to protect your lens dust and scratches. Filters often costs $10-20 and attach to the front of the lens.

You would much rather have an accidental scratch on your $10 filter than your $300 lens!

In December of 2019 I invested in the Canon EOS 6D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Body. I spent hours/days/months researching and evaluating my options and my goals for improvement as a photographer.

This is a big purchase and I consider it a solid investment in my business. The 6D is full frame camera with which I can still use my 50 mm lens, although the images created withe the 50 mm will appear different in composition from those taken with the cropped sensor Canon Rebel DSLR.

I purchased the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens for my close up food photography.

This lens is also a big investment and I am excited to see how I can best use it to work towards creating top quality images for A Baker’s House.

I love using surfaces from Bessie Bakes Backdrops. She is a food blogger herself and knows how important a high quality, lightweight backdrop can be. I have the white tile, two marbles, and a beautiful green. My collection will continue to grow!

For a number of years I used a basic tripod. There was nothing wrong with it and it functioned well enough…but now I’ve learned that having a stellar tripod is a big step in improving your photography.

Are you taking overhead shots with your camera? You might want a tripod that has an extending arm. Be careful with the weight of the camera you attach to such an arm– you may need bags of rice or something to coutnerbalance it.

Here is the Manfrotto tripod I researched and purchased. There are tripods at all price points and this one is expensive in my book. But it is a tool I use every day. 

The functionality of the extending arm has allowed me to take beautiful overhead photos and to dive into video too.

For most videos (and some photographs) I use this cell phone attachment piece to easily use my cell phone with the tripod set up.

Natural light is my first option when shooting food photography. 

If the time of day or the time of year doesn’t lend itself to good natural light, then I turn to two options at home for artificial light.

The first artificial light I use is called a Lowel Ego light. This exact light doesn’t appear to be available on Amazon presently but this flourescent photo lighting box would be similar in concept. A flourescent light bulb (or multiple bulbs) is housed behind a white diffusing material.

The second set up for indoor food photography is this affordable light box set up by Limo Studio.

The kit comes with a 16 inch by 16 inch light box that folds down flat when not in use.

Also included in the lighting kit is a small tripod suitable to hold a phone, two small LED lights, and material in four colors to use as backdrops (white, black, red, and blue). 

Now, there are also great low cost options that will help you improve your indoor photography. The first is as simple as a white foam board– you know the kind that your child might use for a school project? Yes! As simple as buying a poster board at Target. Use this foam board to bounce light back onto your main subject.

A second good low cost option for improving food photography is a simple white sheer curtain like this one on Amazon. Hang it in front of your window to help diffuse or spread out the light that is coming in. This trick is especially helpful during bright hours of daylight.