Christmas is already around the corner. People are now busy shopping, buying Christmas presence and dining at their favorite restaurants. Today more than ever is the perfect time to improve your menu boards, flyers and brochures.
Some business indeed depends on advertising company to manage their promotional materials. However, a lot of small businesses are doing it their way.
If you have ever tried to take a picture of your meal for Instagram, you know that beautiful food photography is more challenging than it looks and yet it is crucial for restaurants and food businesses.
According to studies, including pictures on your online menu can help you increase sales by as much as 30%. eatOS prepares five food photography tricks that will help you show off your hard work in the best light:
Think and create a story you want to tell
A food picture should be able to help you tell your business's story and brand. Think about what kind of atmosphere you want to showcase and what the best features of the food and restaurant are. An overhead shot of a crowded table might be best if your brand is about abundance. If you are all about comfort food, try a close-up of a juicy burger or a cheesy one. Creative planning can improve your photos immensely.
Plate beautifully and style the scene
Do not be afraid to get creative with your food photography. Of course, you have got to work with the materials you have so your photos accurately represent the experience customers will have when they come in. But make sure you style the scene carefully, adding or subtracting napkins, glassware, condiments, and other 'props' to create the best image and take care with your plating—arrange the food to showcase natural colors and make a full plate.
Use a salad plate if necessary to avoid having too much empty plate space, and let your artistic side out when you add that little dollop of sauce just so.
Make sure to provide proper lighting.
Natural light is always best, but do not put your food in direct sunlight–and never use a flash. The light from direct sunlight will be too harsh and the shadows too deep–and a flash will wash out the colors in your image. Instead, aim for bright but indirect, natural light. The real pros will use a bounce board to direct the light where they want it and fill in shadows. If you are not getting the look you want, you can try many cheap and DIY options.
Consider Composition
Here is another pro tip: great photographers often use the "rule of thirds" to compose their images. If you imagine your image is divided into a 3×3 grid, you are trying to align your image's primary focus with the grid's lines and intersections and placing your subject to one side or the other of the image, using that grid, can often create a more dynamic-feeling image.
If you are using a smartphone, check your camera app settings—most have the option to overlay a grid while you are shooting to help you think about your composition.
Experiment
Great photographers do not just walk into a photo shoot, take one perfect shot, and then walk away. They take hundreds of pictures from many angles and choose the best two or three to use. Do not be afraid to experiment—shoot the same dish from above and from the side, shoot multiple dishes together and one showstopper item alone, or add a prop or a garnish if the image feels flat. Excellent food photography, like anything else, takes practice.
After taking great pictures for your menu, you must incorporate Self Service kiosk and the right POS system for your business. A great way to reduce labor costs, minimize waiting times and increase profitability. Easy to use and manage, it seamlessly integrates with the point of sale and kitchen display system.
