Great menu photos can attract more customers to your food truck or quick-service restaurant. You don't need fancy equipment or professional skills. Here’s how to take appealing photos with just a few simple steps.

1. Use Natural Light

• Best Times: Take photos early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid harsh sunlight.

  
  

  💡 Try and take your pictures outside on a sunny day. Remember, for best lighting try and keep the sun behind your back!

• If taking photos inside, make sure there is bright lighting. Consider buying a clip on phone light that will take your pictures to the next level!

2. Keep the Background Simple

• Plain Works Best: Use a plain wall or a simple table as your background. The simpler, the better.

• Consistency: Try to use the same background for all your photos for a uniform look.

3. Focus on What Matters

• Zoom In: Get close to the food so it fills up the frame, showing off the textures and colors.

• Clear Focus: Make sure the most appealing part of the dish is in sharp focus.

• Food Prep: Take some time to look up pictures that are similar to your menu items. Use your favorite photos as inspiration for how to prepare and stage your dishes prior to photographing.

4. Use Your Smartphone

• Smartphone Camera: Your phone's camera is powerful enough for great photos. You can even use portrait mode, if available (Camera → Portrait Mode)

  
  

  💡 Always clean off your camera using a cloth or your t-shirt to remove all smudges and residue.

  
  

• Steady Shots: Hold your phone steady or use a stack of books as an improvised tripod.

5. Minimal Props

• Keep it Relevant: A napkin, a fork, or a few raw ingredients are all you might need. Keep props to a minimum.

6. Simple Edits

• Easy Editing Apps: Use apps like Instagram, Google Photos, or Foodie to adjust brightness and colors. Just a few taps can make a big difference. Avoid using filters that make your photos look unnatural or highly edited.

  
  

  💡 You can adjust the brightness, exposure and saturation directly in the photos app on your iPhone by clicking "edit." Play around with the different adjustments until you like how it looks!

  
  

• Consistency: Try to keep your edits similar for all photos to make your menu look cohesive.

7. Plan Ahead

• Prepare Dishes in Advance: Have your dishes ready to go and take multiple photos at once.

• Variety: Take a few shots from different angles to choose the best one later.

With these simple tips, you can take great menu photos that will help draw in customers and showcase your delicious food. Remember, the key is to keep it simple and focus on showcasing your delicious food! Consider hiring a professional photographer if you want higher quality, stylized photos.