Anyone making money at food photography?

9 years 6 months ago #402637 by Garbo
 Two weeks ago, I had a restaurant gig where I photographed 7 of their main entrée dishes.  I come back next week to shoot their desert menu.  The job is paying pretty well, and it has me thinking about transforming some space in my home for food photography.  Right now, this is my first food related job and I must say, I love it. 

Back to my original question in the title:  anyone making a living or close to a living shooting just food?  I'm hoping to get some pointers.  Are you using your own kitchen or are you renting space, or shooting only on location?  Are there any prop stores that focus on foodies? 


I know my question goes in a few different directions, let me say I appreciate any help you may provide. 

Nikon D300: 24-70 2.8 | 70-200 2.8 VR |Sigma 150 2.8 | 50 1.4 | SB-800
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9 years 6 months ago #402649 by Tuscan Muse
Hi Garbo,

Earlier this year Tuscan Muse hosted a Food Photography workshop in Tuscany, Italy.  Based on my spending those 10 days with food photographers, I can tell you that there is money to be made in this area of the industry. Most of them shoot for food magazines, food bloggers, newspapers and print Ads for restaurants.  A couple of them had steady work shooting for cookbook publishers and online food magazines.

All of them had their own studio.  What I found most interesting was their fervor for food props!  Everyone had a "prop room" next to their studio, filled with all kinds of cutlery, china and linens imaginable.  Their constant complaint was having to pack props for on location shoots.  They all spoke proudly of their inventory and a few of them even had photos of their prop rooms. Antique china and linen and unusual kitchen and serving pieces were coveted.

One thing that might be good for you to do is to build a nice food photography portfolio.  You can use this to pitch your work to potential clients.

I hope this was helpful.  Best wishes to you for success!
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9 years 6 months ago #402656 by ubookoo
Food photography is very intriguing and the food photographers I have met are extremely artistic and passionate about food. They also use some amazing "tricks" to make food look its best such as acrylic ice cubes that don't melt, dry ice to keep things cold as well as to create steam, spritzer water bottles to give food a shine.

Sounds like fun! Make sure to post some of your shots!!


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9 years 6 months ago #403166 by Studio Queen
There's a lot to being successful in food photography.  A few years ago, I had looked into this, and there is much more than you would think you need.  I would urge you to really dig deep into this one. 


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9 years 6 months ago #403333 by Prago
I can pass some advise on this one.  I know a photographer who photographs food for a good part of his lively hood.  He has 2 kitchens in his home.  The funny thing is that his 'work' kitchen is so much more grand than the original kitchen the home came with (which is the one he uses for private use). 

So if you are going to go this route, be prepared to go big!

SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seeks like-minded SWF. No weirdos, please
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9 years 6 months ago #403424 by Gammill
Don't know, but do know my wife is constantly taking photos of what we are eating then sharing with her foodie friends on FB


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9 years 6 months ago #403768 by Tuscan Muse
Just another thought - look to see who in your area is food blogging.  Most times, bloggers are writers and not photographers.
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