Restaurant Photography with The Tasty Pocket

Lately, I’ve been branching out into cafe and restaurant photography, and I have to say, I’m loving this new niche. There’s something really satisfying about capturing the delicious details of a beautifully plated dish. In this blog, I’m sharing some images from a recent shoot at Tasty Pocket, along with a bit of behind-the-scenes insight into how I approach these shoots.

Setting Up the Shoot

When I arrive on location, the first thing I do is scout out the perfect table. I’m usually on the lookout for the most photogenic spot—one that’s got great natural light or the best 360-degree access. Shooting right up against a wall can be a bit tricky, especially if there are models involved, so I try to avoid that if possible.

Once I’ve picked the table, I set up my off-camera speed lights. At this point, I like to have the team whip up a few cocktails for me to photograph. It’s a good way to test the lighting and get a feel for the space before the real action starts. When everything’s ready, I let the chef know I’m good to go.

Capturing the Food

Timing is everything when it comes to food photography. Food can wilt or lose its appeal pretty quickly, so I try to work as fast as possible. When the food comes out, I start by grabbing a few shots of the table spread—no models, just the food styled nicely.

Then, it’s time to bring in the models.

Shooting with Models

Before the models dive in, I do a bit of posing. I’ll find my angle, and then I ask everyone to reach for something on the table—whether it’s a slice of pizza, a glass of wine, or a forkful of salad. This creates that natural interaction I’m looking for. Once I’ve got a few shots, we move on to another item and repeat the process.

Since food can start to look less than perfect after it’s been picked at, I try to get as much coverage as I can before the models actually start eating. Swapping in fresh dishes or touching up garnishes like lettuce or lemon wedges helps keep everything looking appetizing.

When I’m happy with the posed shots, I give the models the green light to start eating. That’s when I switch gears and focus on capturing candid moments. The challenge here is to catch those genuine, joyful expressions before things start getting too messy!

The Final Shots

This shoot at Tasty Pocket was a blast, and I’m really pleased with how the images turned out. Below are some of my favorite shots from the day. Bon appetit!