Restaurant menu photography: planning a shoot that sells
Menu photos drive orders on delivery apps and social media. Plan a restaurant shoot from shot list to final delivery.
On Uber Eats, Rappi and DiDi Food, the photo is often the reason a customer chooses a dish. Good menu photos directly increase orders.
Plan with the chef
Make a shot list of dishes by priority: best sellers, signature dishes, drinks and desserts. Ask the kitchen to prepare each dish at photo quality, one at a time.
Choose a consistent style
Decide on one background, angle and lighting style for menu and delivery app photos. Consistency makes the menu look professional.
Delivery app requirements
Most apps want square or horizontal images, food centered, no text or logos, and a clean background. Check each platform’s guidelines.
Ambiance and story
Beyond plates, capture the chef cooking, the dining room, the bar and happy guests for the website and social media.
Workflow
Set up light and background with a stand-in plate. Shoot each dish within two to three minutes of plating. Shoot overhead and at 45 degrees.
Deliver in sets
Provide menu images, delivery app crops and vertical versions for stories and reels.
