5 Things You Should Know Before Booking a Food Photographer

Y’all, I work with clients who have never booked a food photographer before. Most don’t understand the process for booking a food photographer or what information is needed before scheduling a call with me. And that’s alright. I’m here to help them (and you) because hiring a food photographer is an investment. Before you contact a food photographer, there are five things you should know before booking a food photographer:

1. Who Will Be Involved in the Photoshoot?

At a standard food photoshoot, the following peeps are usually present at the shoot:

– The Client
– Creative/Art Director
– Marketing PR 

It’s crucial to know who will be present to represent your brand and your overall concept. 

2. What Are the Goals of the Shoot?

What do you want me, the photographer, to achieve at the end of the shoot? This is where moodboards come in handy and provide me with an idea of what your vision is.

Not sure what a moodboard is? It’s a selection of images that help you envision your final outcome. The moodboard can include colors, textures, patterns, shapes, and any other visual elements that add to the desired mood for the shoot.

3. When do you need these images?

Keep in mind that I book most of my shoots weeks in advance, so you need to contact us as soon as you know your deadline.

Don’t wait until the last week before your deadline to contact a food photographer. A lot goes into planning a shoot: booking the food stylist, assistant, lens rental, prepping, buying the food, etc. 

Also, you need to be very specific with the turnaround that you hope for. It would be unrealistic to expect photographs the same day after shooting.

4. What Is Your Budget for Photography Services?

I know it’s a delicate subject to discuss, but it is necessary to have a ballpark figure. We’re not asking this question because we want to make as much money as we can off of you. We’re asking because we need to know what we can do within your budget parameters. It wouldn’t make sense to send you a 10K estimate when your budget is 5K.

5. What are the images going to be used for, and how long?

How will you use the images? Websites? Social media? Print advertising? These all determine your licensing fee.

Food photography is a flourishing industry. So, if you’re in the market for a food photographer, it’s essential to know what you need so that you can get started. The five things listed above will help you narrow down some details. 

Do you need a food photographer for your next project? Fill out this form with as much information as possible to get the process started.