Decoding a Visual Plan for YourFood Business
Did you know there are different types of food photography that can benefit your food based business?
As a food based business you already know that high-quality visuals can enhance your brand's image, attract customers, increase engagement and sales.
Often times, you'll notice that when you reach out to photographers or videographers, they'll ask you a host of questions in return.
And as much as you'd like to get a quick quote and move on to the next phase, these questions coming from the photographer or videographer are 100% valid. That's because there are 7 different types of food content that your brand could need and benefit from.
Some of these photography (content) types may not even apply to your business, and in some cases the content you think you need might not be the content that fits your goals or what could actually help.
So you can imagine, if a photographer had gone ahead and agreed to taking on your project, they would either:
A) over quote you
B) misjudge the project, which would cause a host of issues and
C) ultimately botch the project.
So let’s decode the 3 main categories of food based content to help you understand what type of content you would need for different purposes in your business. So when it’s time for new visuals you’ll feel more confident creating a visual plan and asking for what exactly you need from your photographer.
3 main categories of food photography:
Packaging Food Photography: Packaging food photography is a hyperfocused, meticulous and technical type of photography. Work for this involves sticking to strict advertising guidelines, focusing on the most realistic representation of what the product in the package looks like. Props and complex edits are generally avoided. The focus is on every little ingredient or item of the product; where you pay special attention to the details and perfect placement of items on the food.
Think about food shots that go on a product package. There is no focus on the scene or additional props. Just on the product itself, to give the customer an idea of what the product inside the package would look like.
Insert example Images:
2. Advertising Food Photography: Advertising food photography covers many purposes like food ads, food menus, brochures, digital ads even, billboards. While there are generally pre-set and in-depth guidelines, requirements and shot lists; there is room for creative work as long as you visually represent the purpose and intended message.
Think - an image of McDonald's burger at a bus stop, Starbucks' Summer features online on billboards, on their app and/or website.
3. Editorial Food Photography: Editorial photography is the type of photography where there is no limit on creativity. The primary focus is to create beautiful and "scroll stopping" images. Here, a lot of the focus is on styling, composition and all the elements like lighting and even recipe development.
Think - social media photography, modern product photography, work for cook books, art pieces, magazines and more.
These categories can often cross over and don't have to be exclusive to each other. You can also always choose between how simple or elevated you want your content to be and how much styling, prop and complexity you'd need.
Based on these categories, food photography can be further classified based on specific marketing needs you may have; which I’ll be covering in the next post. Here are some important considerations for food businesses in the meantime:
The more complex the work can get, there is a higher chance you’d be working with a food and prop stylist, as they can greatly enhance the presentation of dishes in food photography.
Maintaining visual consistency across marketing materials contributes to a cohesive brand identity.
While quality images are great, you also need to be strategic about what type of content is used for different purposes. Using best marketing strategies and practices go hand in hand with content and boost growth.
Staying up-to-date with current food photography trends and adapting images to different platforms, including video content, can captivate and educate the audience. You don’t always have to follow the rules you know!
Understanding these different types of food photography and considering these additional factors will help you make informed decisions about your food photography strategies and needs. To learn more, you can refer to my upcoming blog post and also receive a cheat sheet!
Hungry for delectable visuals that elevate your brand's essence & helps you grow? Connect with us at The Writer Eats today, and let's craft a strategic & mouthwatering visual experience that leaves your audience craving for more!