Food photography · Food product · Restaurant · Menu · Video

Food Photography and Professional Food Photography

Food photography is the process of creating appetizing yet accurate visuals for restaurant menus, food delivery platforms, café and bakery display cases, food packaging, grocery store products, gourmet items, beverages, dietary supplements, and social media campaigns.

A good food photo doesn’t just look beautiful; it captures the portion size, texture, sense of warmth, quality of ingredients, presentation, and the brand’s atmosphere all in a single frame. Since customers can’t see the dish in person, the photo becomes the primary factor influencing their purchasing decision. Whether it’s a restaurant reservation, a takeout order, or an online food purchase, trust is built at this very moment.

At LUX Production, food photography and videography are planned and executed with careful consideration of lighting, props, backdrops, plates, surfaces, steam, shine, color, and file delivery. Packaged food products can be shipped to our Istanbul studio from various cities across Turkey and from Europe; for restaurant and venue shoots, on-site production plans can be arranged.

In commercial production since 2005 Istanbul Studio Berlin and the European service area Photo, Reels, video, menu image Food, restaurants, beverages, packaging

Get a quote from WhatsApp Send the brief via email

Quotes are prepared based on the scope of the project, the number of products/meals, the type of shoot, location/set requirements, and post-production details.

Google Reviews

Let's keep our experience in product and visual production front and center

On the food page, food references are more important; in addition, product photos, videos, decor, and customer experiences related to e-commerce provide social proof on the first screen.

Product photos and videos

“We were very pleased with our product photos and videos. Special thanks to Ceren, Meryem, and Süleyman.”

Bengisu Deres · 5/5 · Product photography and video production

Product Photo Review

“I was looking for a high-quality service for product photography. From our first contact to the very end, they made me feel that they were working with care and attention.”

Kaan Gokdemir · 5/5 · Product photography

Decor and Product Display

“We were extremely pleased with the photo shoots for our home textiles. Both the set design and the presentation of the products were excellent.”

Selim Baytar · Capyhome · 5/5 · Experience with styled product photography

Shooting video on reels for social media

Scope of Services

Food photography, food product photography, and restaurant photography are not all done using the same approach

A restaurant menu, a bakery display, a bag of nuts, a bottle of olive oil, and a beverage campaign all share the same photographic discipline; but they do not all require the same visual language. That’s why the first decision in food photography isn’t “how many dishes will be photographed?” but rather “what will the image sell?”.

01 · Restaurant Menu

Plate, portion, and order reliability

For restaurant, café, and hotel menus, dishes are photographed in an appetizing way without distorting the perception of actual portion sizes. Clean, well-composed shots can be prepared for takeout and online menus.

02 · Bakery and Desserts

Texture, luster, and a sense of freshness

For pastries, desserts, chocolate, coffee, beverages, and baked goods, the surface texture, the sheen of the frosting, the cross-section, the plate, and the presentation are all planned together.

03 · Packaged food

Label, package, and product family

For nuts, Turkish delight, honey, olives, olive oil, canned goods, tomato paste, beverages, and dietary supplements, packaging legibility and the sensation of appetite are managed together.

04 · Decorative still life

Table, props, backdrop, and brand atmosphere

The story of a food product isn’t defined solely by the product itself. The choice of plate, surface, fabric, knife, glass, spices, natural materials, and lighting all shape the brand’s image.

05 · Videos and Reels

Pouring, cutting, serving, and use

Spilled sauce, pouring drinks, opening packages, using products, serving plates, and short social media videos can all be included in the same production plan.

06 · Setting and Atmosphere

The atmosphere of a restaurant is just as important as the food

In restaurant and hotel projects, the scope of photography may include not only the plates but also the table setting, interior design, view, pace of service, and the atmosphere for guests.

Items Checked During a Food Photoshoot

The light should not dry out the food, make it shiny, or harden it unnecessarily.
Portion, plate, slice, sauce, steam, freshness, and the sensation of warmth.
Background, tabletop, serving plate, cutlery, glass, and prop selection.
Separate shots for the menu, website, takeout service, social media, and advertising.
The color should be appetizing but presented in a way that does not mislead about the product.

Items Inspected During Food Product Photography

The packaging label, glossy surfaces, product family, and variations.
Different presentation styles for categories such as nuts, honey, olives, beverages, dietary supplements, tomato paste, and canned goods.
Distinguishing between e-commerce images with white backgrounds and campaign images with decorative elements.
Coordinated planning of product photos, stop-motion videos, Reels, short videos, and catalog files.
Consistent color, framing, and file standards across all products in the series.

Brief and distribution channel

The visual style is determined based on its use—whether for a menu, takeout service, website, e-commerce, catalog, social media, or advertising.

Set and Preparation

The plate, surface, props, background, food preparation, product family, packaging, and shooting order are finalized.

Shooting Day

Burak Bulut Yıldırım handles lighting and framing; Meryem Aydın Yıldırım manages the set, props, presentation, and visual cohesion.

Selection and delivery

Final files are prepared in different formats depending on whether they are intended for use on the web, on a marketplace, on social media, in a catalog, or in an advertisement.

Bid line item	What does it affect?	Information required for the proposal
Meal / Number of items	Shooting duration, preparation, number of sets, number of files, and post-production workload.	How many plates, how many drinks, how many packaged products, and how many final visuals are needed.
Type of shot	Menu photography, food products against a white background, decorated still lifes, and video do not involve the same workload.	A restaurant menu, e-commerce, social media, or advertising?
Venue or studio	On-site photography at a restaurant and product photography in a studio require different preparations and logistics.	Will the shoot take place at the restaurant, in the kitchen, or in the studio?
Props and styling	The scope of needs varies depending on the plate, background, surface, fabric, tableware set, decor, and food styling.	Sample images, brand tone, colors to be used, and the desired atmosphere.
Video Scope	The shoot schedule, editing, aspect ratios, video length, and number of versions may vary.	Expectations for Reels, product videos, service videos, unboxing videos, or campaign videos.

Selected food and culinary references

Real-world project experience in the restaurant, food, beverage, and packaged goods industries

I selected these examples not from the general product photography list, but from projects directly related to the food category. Restaurant menus, food products, beverages, nuts, olives, honey, pastries, and promotional images each require different photographic approaches.

RestaurantHamdi Restaurant

Interior, scenic, atmospheric, and food photography for restaurants.

PatisserieMagnolia Patisserie

Food photography and still life shoots for bakery items, desserts, cakes, and beverages.

BeverageRed Crescent

Photographing campaign visuals and advertising promotional materials for mineral waters.

Nuts and SeedsMakbul Kuruyemiş

Product photography and packaging shots for nuts, Turkish delight and local food products.

Processed foodsOlca Food

Catalog photo shoots and product family shoots for tomato paste, canned and prepared food products.

Gourmet productOlea Family Olive

Catalog, packaging, and product photos for olives, olive oil, and gourmet products.

Honey / bee productSedef Food

Concept photography and promotional video shooting with models for honey and bee products.

Restaurant chainTripadvisor / The Fork

Professional menu and food photography services for partner restaurants.

Convenience StoreFood Basket Banabi

Advertising and promotional photos for convenience store products and special offers.

Dietary supplementCio

Stylized promotional photos, product videos, and stop-motion animations for dietary supplements.

Energy drinkDiblong

Product photography, presentation, and concept shoots for energy drinks and dietary supplements.

Beverage / still lifeTuborg Turkey

Experience in white-background and still-life photography, prop styling, and production.

We know how to take photos of food

Natural light, the right angle, a simple composition, and background selection are still important; however, in commercial food photography, the real difference lies in systematically tailoring these decisions to the brand’s sales channel. A pizza may look good from above; a burger, a drink, a slice of cake, or a bottle of olive oil requires a different angle. In professional photography, these decisions are not made through trial and error but are based on the intended use.

The shoot utilizes the latest professional Sony Alpha camera and lens systems, controlled lighting, color management, and a professional post-production workflow. Burak Bulut Yıldırım’s background as a Sony Alpha Europe Imaging Ambassador is incorporated here not as a marketing claim, but as an integral part of the discipline surrounding lighting, lenses, color, and technical decisions.

Get a quote for a food photography shoot Product Photography as a Core Service Product Video Service

The LUX Effect in Food Shooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear Answers About Food Photography and Food Product Shoots

The most critical issue before submitting a proposal isn’t just how many plates or products will be featured. The distribution channel, the decision on the location or studio, prop requirements, product preparation, the scope of the video, and the delivery format all directly affect the budget.

What factors determine food photography prices?

Pricing is determined based on the number of meals or products, the type of shoot, venue or studio requirements, prop and styling preparation, the scope of the video, the distribution channel, and post-production details. A restaurant menu, packaged food shoot, decorated campaign visuals, and Reels videos do not involve the same workload.

Do you do food photography for restaurant menus?

Yes. We can take food photos suitable for menus, websites, food delivery platforms, and social media for restaurants, cafes, bakeries, hotels, and food delivery brands. If necessary, we can also include shots of the venue’s atmosphere, table settings, and service scenes.

Can we ship food products to the studio?

Yes. Packaged food products, beverages, nuts, honey, olives, olive oil, dietary supplements, and similar items can be shipped to the Istanbul studio. The product acceptance, briefing, selection, revision, and delivery processes can be handled remotely.

Should the food photoshoot take place at a restaurant or in a studio?

If the menu, the restaurant’s atmosphere, and the service experience are important, on-site photography at the restaurant is more appropriate. For packaged food, product families, stylized still lifes, white-background shots, and campaign visuals, a studio setting yields more controlled results. The decision is made based on the intended use.

In food photography, is natural light or studio lighting better?

Natural light can work well in some warm and intimate scenes; however, commercial shoots require a professional lighting setup to ensure consistency, color accuracy, mass production, and time management. At LUX Production, lighting is set up to present food in a way that is appetizing but not misleading.

Can we also shoot a food video or a Reels clip?

Yes. Content such as sauce drizzling, drinks being poured, the moment of service, opening a package, product usage, table setup, and short vertical videos can all be included in the same production plan. Photos and videos can be scheduled together on the same day.

Does that include food styling and prop selection?

Planning is based on the scope of the project. The selection of plates, surfaces, tablecloths, fabrics, tableware, glasses, cutting boards, natural materials, and decor is finalized during the proposal phase. In some projects, the brand provides its own products and tableware; in others, the table setting is prepared in collaboration with the LUX team.

How many days is the delivery time?

The delivery timeframe is planned based on the number of dishes/products, the type of shoot, and the scope of retouching; for standard product and food shoots, the selection and delivery schedule is finalized at the start of the project. For most product photography projects, a range of 3–10 business days is a realistic planning window.

Do you also offer training in food photography?

Burak Bulut Yıldırım has also been working in the field of photography education and mentoring since 2005. Private lessons or corporate training can also be arranged for individuals or teams wishing to focus specifically on food photography; this service is evaluated separately from the photography proposal.

Let’s create a scope of work for your food and beverage products

If you let us know how many dishes or products will be photographed, whether the shoot will take place at a restaurant or in a studio, where the images will be used, whether a video is needed, and what kind of sample images you have in mind, we can prepare a more precise quote.

Get a quote from WhatsApp Get a quote via email

Phone and WhatsApp: +90 532 674 05 89 · Email: bilgi@luxproduksiyon.com