15 Props for Food and Product Photography

In the past 10 years, I went from a photographer who hated the idea shelves stacked with a clutter of props to a food and product photography prop LOVER. I can’t see anything - a cup, a spoon, or even a salt shaker - without envisioning a photo.

I try to be cautious of repetitively using the same items to prop my food and product photos. But there are some that I love so much. I just have to have them around. 

These are a few things that make it to set with me for nearly all my shots with examples of them in food, candle, and flower photos. I hope they give you some creative ideas for things to keep around your set.  

Photo Review: Proportions

I have nearly 60,000 photos in my archives. They are made up of client images, creative work, and travel. Some I love, others I hate, and some are good, I would just do things a little differently today. In this 9-minute video, we’re going to go through a photo review.

In the review, I’ll tell you what I would change in a photo from 7 years ago, and tell you what works about a photo I took more recently.

In these short photo reviews, we’ll cover some important parts of styling your set so that you can keep your eye out for common problems that you might not catch right away.

Simple Drink Photography and Styling Tips

Throughout the last part of 2022 I found myself drawn much more to photographing drinks versus food for my own creative work. And not just cocktails, but juices and smoothies, too. I shoot this sort of thing for clients occasionally, but when I set aside a day for myself, just to create, I find my thoughts going to drinks. These are three drink photography and styling tips I apply to my own work that might help you if you are photographing beverages or highlighting the drinkware or garnishes of beverages.

Find a creative point of focus.

This is most often a garnish, but it doesn’t always have to be. When you are using garnishes, though, remember that they’re for more than just cocktails. Edible flowers and microgreens add a nice touch to smoothies. 

Cocktail garnishes don’t have to be complex. A fresh herb, fresh or dried slice of citrus, or a big edible flower adds color contrast and texture for your hero spot of focus. 

Layered drinks and milky swirled coffees don’t need a garnish at all. Make that drama the focus point of your shot. 

Define the drink with your styling and creative lighting. 

A mason jar tea? Squeeze that jar in the shot. A simple, clean smoothie may need no other propping. Work sliced fruit into the side a mocktail glass. Show some matcha powder. Include the cocktail tools. Capture a bubbly pour. 

Taped or real windowpanes, plants in your light source, and lace curtains or curtain edges allow you to play with the light on your set to reflect an early sunrise or an evening cocktail hour. I’ve previously shared how I create interesting light patterns with natural light, season, and time of day.  

Backlight creates dramatic drink photos, but don’t commit to it. 

The light source behind your drink creates a dramatic drink photo, but don’t be afraid to switch that up for new moods. It’s also not always the best light direction when you are trying to highlight a garnish because that shadow falls to the front of the drink which is often the point of focus for a garnish. For pretty garnishes, I find side light to be a better option. (Turn the garnish, your hero spot, towards your light source.)