Commercial Food Photography

Raising Your Food Photography Game with Human Interaction

In today’s digital age, food photography is a powerful tool for restaurant owners. But, what if I told you that your photography could go from good to incredible by simply adding one element? That element is human interaction. The way people engage with food in photos can evoke emotions, build cravings, and ultimately help your restaurant stand out in a crowded market. Let me show you how, based on one of my recent shoots for a fast-food restaurant near Cambridge Station.

Why Human Interaction Matters in Food Photography

We’ve all seen beautifully staged food shots—pristine plates under perfect lighting, capturing every drip of sauce and sprinkle of garnish. Those images are crucial, no doubt. But adding a human element does something a bit different. It brings your food to life in a relatable way, allowing potential customers to picture themselves enjoying your dishes.

The psychology behind it is simple: when people see other people enjoying food, it taps into their emotions and social instincts. They imagine the experience, not just the product. Whether it’s someone taking a bite of a juicy burger or sharing a meal with friends, these images make your food feel more accessible and desirable.

I’ll break down how this worked for a project I did recently for a fast-food restaurant in Cambridge.

Case Study: A Small Space, Big Impact

A couple of weeks ago, I was hired to do some food photography for a small takeaway near Cambridge Station. Their goal was to improve sales by showcasing their food in a high-quality way. The restaurant itself was tiny—possibly the smallest food photography location I’ve ever worked in, measuring just about four feet by eight feet. With minimal space to move around or set up lighting, I had to get creative.

When the owner and I discussed the concept, he showed me a photo of a model biting into a multi-stacked burger. That image stuck with him as inspiration for one of the shots, and he asked if we could do something similar. Now, not every restaurant has models on hand for this kind of thing. But thanks to my seven years of experience, I’ve built a network of contacts across the UK, including Cambridge.

Luckily, a model I’d wanted to work with for years happened to be available that day. After a few late-night discussions, we managed to book her for a couple of hours at a competitive rate. This allowed us to incorporate the human element the owner wanted, despite the tiny space and minimal setup time.

Making the Most of Limited Space

One of the biggest challenges of this shoot was the limited space. We had about four feet by eight feet to work with, the chef was working just six feet away, and our lighting options were minimal. But when you’re working with tight spaces, the key is efficiency. Compact lighting setups and careful positioning allowed us to get some great shots of the model enjoying the food without disrupting the kitchen.

After about an hour, we had enough shots of the model to satisfy the owner’s brief, and we switched gears to standard product shots for another couple of hours. The results? A comprehensive library of images the restaurant could use for promotional materials, social media, and advertising campaigns for the next year.

Finding the Right Model (Without Breaking the Bank)

If you’re thinking that hiring a model is an expensive endeavor, let me assure you it doesn’t have to be. For this shoot, the entire cost was around £400, which included the model’s fee. To put that into context, a typical fast-food restaurant works on a profit margin of about 30%, meaning that to recoup the £400, the restaurant would need to generate approximately £1,200 in sales. Given that most of their meals cost around £5, this meant they needed to sell about 220 additional meals over the course of a year.

Broken down, that’s just four to five extra orders per week. Considering the quality of the photos and the appeal they added to the restaurant’s branding, that’s more than achievable. And any sales beyond that? Pure profit.

ROI: Why Human-Centric Photos Are Worth It

Investing in food photography, especially with a human element, is about more than just pretty pictures. It’s about the return on investment (ROI). The £400 spent on this shoot will not only bring in those four to five additional orders per week but also elevate the restaurant’s image, making it more likely to attract new customers and build brand loyalty.

The images we captured of the model enjoying the food were used across the restaurant’s social media, printed materials, and their website. And because we took such a wide variety of shots, they won’t need to invest in more photography for quite a while. That’s the real power of good photography—it’s a one-time investment with long-term benefits.

Tips for Incorporating Human Interaction in Your Photos

If you’re considering adding a human element to your food photography, here are a few tips that will help you make the most of it:

1. Choose the Right Model

  • Whether you work with a professional model or someone from your staff, make sure the person in the photo fits the vibe of your restaurant. A casual, fast-food joint might benefit from a laid-back, everyday person, while a high-end restaurant might opt for a more polished look.

2. Show Real Emotions

  • The key to making your food photography relatable is showing genuine enjoyment. A model taking a big, satisfied bite of a burger or laughing while sharing fries with a friend can do wonders for the appeal of your food. Authenticity is crucial.

3. Keep It Simple

  • You don’t need elaborate setups or expensive props. In fact, some of the best food shots are simple, with a focus on the food and the person enjoying it. Natural lighting, minimal distractions, and the food as the hero—those are the elements that shine.

4. Capture Different Angles

  • Don’t limit yourself to one or two shots. Get creative with your angles. Capture the model’s hands interacting with the food, a close-up of their smile, or even the moment before they take a bite. Variety keeps the images fresh and usable across different platforms.
 

Why Now is the Time to Elevate Your Photography

Restaurants, especially in the fast-food and casual dining sectors, are facing more competition than ever before. The rise of food delivery apps and social media has made it even more important to stand out visually. Photos with human interaction help create a sense of experience and enjoyment that can’t be replicated by simple product shots.

Investing in food photography isn’t just about today’s campaign or this week’s social media posts. It’s about building a library of content that you can use for months, or even years, to come. And if a modest investment of £400 can bring in hundreds of extra orders over time, it’s well worth considering.

Conclusion: Don’t Be Afraid to Get Creative

Incorporating human interaction into your food photography can seem like a big step, but as I’ve learned over the years, it’s one of the most effective ways to elevate your visuals and connect with your audience. Whether you’re working in a tight space, like the Cambridge restaurant, or you have a full production team at your disposal, adding that human element can make all the difference.

So, if you’re ready to raise your food photography game, reach out to a local photographer (or, hey, feel free to contact me) and start creating the kind of imagery that not only showcases your food but also tells a story your customers can’t resist.

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An addition to the information above the client has used the images in their first post on instagram and it’s great to see how it’s being used.

Fast Food Restaurant Menu Photography  

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