Table of contents
Food Blogging Resources
(Blue's Best Life is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Programs. I earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. This helps me keep the blog going!)- Bobbie
For any of you that are curious about how to start a food blog or are wanting to improve your photography skills, you are in the right place. Here I will share my favorite photography gear and the tools that helped me improve. There is so much information out there but sometimes it is helpful to see someone's set up and what was beneficial for their growth. Plus, if you are really wanting to master this, check out the course that helped make everything finally click for me. This will hopefully help you get started on the right path for your photography biz!
Camera Gear
camera body
First, I want to stress that you do not need the most expensive camera to get started! I started with a camera and lens that I bought used for $400. I had zero idea what I was doing, but knew that a camera phone was not going to give me the quality of pictures I wanted.
This was a great starter camera because it allowed me to practice and get more familiar with my gear, so that I could make the decision on what features were important when I did upgrade.
When I did decide to upgrade I went for a Sony a 7RII full frame mirrorless camera. A mirrorless camera means that the camera does not have a mirror to reflect what you are seeing like most DSLR cameras have, the camera uses a screen. This means when you change your camera settings you can see instantly how the changes will affect your shot. This camera also has the ability to shoot in full-frame 4K movie recording. With video becoming more and more popular this will definitely be the next thing I add to my repertoire!
camera lens
I purchased two different lenses for my Sony camera. I have a Sony E 2.8/ 16-55 zoom lens and a FE 2.8 / 90 macro lens. I love the zoom lens and use it the most. It is perfect for doing the flat lay shots with the C-stand (I will explain about the C-stand later). I love it because I can zoom in or out to get the shot I want without having to move the C-stand around.
The macro lens is perfect for getting those close up shots on a small subject. This is not the lens to add to your camera gear first especially if you want to do a lot of flat lay photography. It is best for those 45 degree angle shots. I see this lens as a splurge and something to buy after you have mastered either your 50mm lens or in my case my 16-55 zoom lens.
Lighting
Hey, if this is a new hobby and you do not want to spend lots of money on gear yet, use natural daylight. It is a great way to start and gives a beautiful natural look to your food photography.
If you are like me and you do not want to wait for the sun to come up, then you must get artificial light. AL was the best decision I EVER made when we talk about investments for food photography! This is a total game changer. I can shoot any time of day, I can shoot when it rains (which can be a lot in Florida), I can pause my shoot and work on it later and the lighting doesn't change. There are no clouds to interfere, it's perfectly consistent!
A lot of people will say it looks fake and you can tell. While photography experts probably can, an everyday person checking out your food blog will never know the difference. And once you really master it, it looks pretty amazing.
I have the Godox SL-150w which is a continuous light. This is different from flash photography which I haven't learned yet but who knows, some day I may make the change. This white light is plenty bright enough for my food photography set up.
Of course in order to control this light you will need a softbox. A softbox will make the light less harsh and more natural looking. The larger the light source is, the softer the light will become. So the best way to compare this is to think of the light coming in a window, we want our softbox to mimic a window. This 48" octagon softbox is a great size.
Accessories
backdrops
You are going to need backdrops. When I first started taking pictures of food and trying to style my shoots like the "big" bloggers do, I thought "they all have such beautiful marble counter tops and backsplashes. Maybe one day I can redo my kitchen!" No, not everyone has a beautiful kitchen with perfect windows to take pictures. We use a various array of backdrops that are made of light-weight materials to mimic countertops.
Of course I had never heard of such a thing so I tried buying tile, but it was too shiny, heavy and not the right size. Some of the photography backdrops I use now are from Bessie Bakes. These are much more convenient to move, store and they do not reflect light. There are many different styles to choose from so pick a few different varieties and have fun with styling!
C-Stand
In the beginning, when I was just trying to figure out the right angles to get the light to hit the food, I shot freehand. The problem with this is that it's really impossible to not move and get camera shake. Even just pushing the shutter can cause a bit of shake, which makes our pictures not look clear and crisp.
Now I NEVER shoot freehand. I use my C-Stand for all flat lay or overhead shots. This is great because I no longer have to climb up and down my step ladder to take pictures and this has completely eliminated the camera shake. You are probably thinking how do you see the shot if you aren't looking through the lens, don't worry. I'll get to that soon.
Now a C-Stand is big and bulky. While it is fairly easy to set up, it really isn't something you want to have to break down and set up everyday. These are great if you have a dedicated office space for your photography.
Tripods
I know all of this gear can get a little pricey, so take a look for used items when you can. I actually bought my tripod pre-owned online. It is great for taking 45 degree and side shots. It is sturdy, which is important when you have an expensive camera or lens attached. Be cautious of cheaper brands that may be more flimsy!
Tethering Cables
Once you start using your C-stand, you will want to tether your camera to your laptop. This is great way to shoot for a few reasons. Because your camera is mounted over your head, it would be difficult to look through your screen. Once you tether you can see what your camera sees on your laptop in real time. You can reposition items on your styling board and see on a large screen what the picture will really look like before snapping the picture. I love the ability of this because it makes everything more "hands free" so that you can easily style your food and the scene with ease. I use this tethering cable. Depending on your camera you can also use a free app on your phone and connect your camera wirelessly. This is a great option if you do not want to be tripping over cables. The screen is not as big as the computer monitor but it still shows the overall set up and you can use your phone to snap the pictures.
Courses
Okay, so you are probably thinking, wow this is so much to learn! Trust me I was in that same exact spot just a year ago. I never thought I'd feel this comfortable with a camera or that I would take these beautifully-styled pictures. Luckily, I had a friend tell me about a photography course.
This course was exactly what I needed to push me and make me better. In fact I am still learning and growing everyday because of the ongoing lessons that this course has to offer. If you are really wanting to grow your skills and have the opportunity to make a real living with food photography check out Pretty Focused Photography. The community and support is absolutely phenomenal. The coaches and other students are supportive, kind and want you to succeed! Even though the classes are virtual I feel I have made friendships within this community and if I ever feel stuck or have a question with a shoot, I have a place to turn! I cannot say enough about the Pretty Focused Course!
The PFC teaches tutorial based food photography. They start at the fundamentals for the person who is just picking up a camera for the first time, styling for food photography, and how to master the "yummy shot" that makes people stop scrolling on their phones. This class not only helps you get on the right path with your own food blog, but helps you start your own business working for other bloggers!
Once you graduate you will become a member of their buyers club where you can sell your photography and recipe creation services. Many of the graduates are now full time photographers and are making six-figure incomes! This course will do more than pay for itself, it will help you become a business owner!
Conclusion
There are so many different styles of food photography and what works for one person may not work for someone else. It really takes trial and error and the desire to learn! I know there is still much more for me to learn and grow as a food photographer, but it makes me excited to get up everyday for this fun and challenging career. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email. I would love to chat and hear any questions or tips!