Four Reasons Simple Shoots Build Food and Product Photography Skill

A lot of my recent client work has involved really simple photos. Single subjects like a handful dried fruit or a scattering of whole spices with instruction for very minimal propping. 

Despite their simplicity, creating appealing photos like that can be some of the most challenging assignments. Especially for someone like me who LOVES adding things to photos - an edge of a bowl here, a pile of crumbs there. 

When I struggle with a photo, whether it’s that the subject is less than beautiful or I can’t nail the composition, my solution is to add stuff to it. 

So when I’m technically not allowed to add stuff due to it being a commissioned image for a paying client, it presents me with a big challenge. 

And over time I’ve realized something. When I’m trying to figure out how to keep things simple, I start to pull into practice the core skills that I’ve learned over the past 11 years of doing this work. 

The truth is: 

Simplicity builds skill. 

How? Here are 4 ways. 

When you only have one subject or even a small handful, it’s easier to find your hero spot and fine-tune your focus, something that is super important regardless of how much stuff you have in the shot. You then start to bring this back to your more elaborately styled photos. 

When you have one subject you can move it anywhere within the frame. You’ll start to trust your eye and see what looks most interesting or appealing. Once you have this foundation you can build more complex images with a true sense of appealing composition without the confinement of following a predetermined swirl, x, or zigzag. 

For most of us, initially, space in a photo makes us uncomfortable. We feel the need to fill it. Shooting simply allows you to sit with space for a bit and gradually the anxiety of it being there fades. You will start to see how you can use it to your creative advantage. 

With one subject and a prop or linen, the only way to get creative is to start exploring light. Right, left, back, harsh shadows, soft rays…In the process, you learn exactly how to naturally light your subject, putting focus and shadows where you want them. 

Tips for Creative Baking Photos

When I have some time to step away from client work and focus on some creative shooting for myself, I start to think about why I do what I do when I style a shot. Whether I realize it while I’m doing it or after I look at the final photo, it allows me to share my thought process when I step up to my set. 

So I thought I’d share my everyday tips for adding something special to baking shots. Whether you experiment with one of these ideas or apply them all, hopefully they will help keep your creativity top-notch this month. 

For those who like to read, march on with your scroll. Or watch the video below where I break down each element on my set.

Tips for Creative Baking Photos

Use whole grain flours. 

The browns blend better with other color tones and there is a reduced chance they will create a hotspot that is overexposed.

Use raw sugars. 

The texture catches the light and it makes a visually appealing substitute for brown sugar while still giving you a neutral tone. 

Blend textures and materials. 

Wood and metal, gold and silver. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. I often find myself feeling like I need to stay with all silver tones or all copper. You can mix them all. The key is to have a balance and a mix. If you use all silver or brushed nickel and one pop of copper, it might look like it doesn’t fit, but when you blend 2 or more components of each, it looks like it all goes well together. 

Add a natural, where-it-comes-from element.

For nuts, this may be some in the shell, cracked and not yet cracked. Whole vanilla beans are a nice touch as are whole spices. Honeycomb is a fun touch too, if you can get it.

Stack tools for interest.

Whether it’s an overhead shot or at another angle, stacking similar items can give the height and interest in the image.

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Food Photography Styling Starts With the Raw Ingredients

Styling and shooting a simple food like this hummus wrap with roasted vegetables begins long before you step up to your set. This short video shows you how I begin thinking about a shot as I review the raw ingredients that will be going into it. It contains tips for workflow that you can apply to your own at-home set.

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