The life of a Food Photographer
By: Kyra Duffey
What is a food photographer?
Background Information
Average National Salary: $34,000/yr.
Education/Training: There isn't a specific degree level required but having a Bachelor's Degree can increase possible job prospects. In the degree field they must have it in art and must be successful with artistic skills, as well as computer skills.
Career Options: Many restaurants will hire a food photographer to work for them or many photographers will just have their own studios.
A typical day for a Food Photographer
Specific job duties:
-Must attend client meetings to better understand their needs
-They may have to present their work after photo shoots
-They must deal with the needs of their clients at all times
Important Skills:
-Knowing how to work digital cameras
-Working with computer editing software
-They must perform proper lightening as well as provide the right shots to meet expectations of the client.
Disadvantages and advantages of a Food Photographer
Advantages:
-Food photographers can gain new clientele as they help other clients bring their concepts to life
-Food photographers are also able to gain notoriety within the industry by making food look better in photos than in real life
Disadvantages:
-Very time consuming
-In many cases you have to work fast to work well with some dishes (Ex: Noodles in broth expand)
Qualities necessary to be succesful
-Allowing yourself to be patient when working on multiple projects for clients
-Willing to share your vision to people that can be widely enjoyed with others
How to get started
-Simply take pictures practicing if you were in the industry itself
-Promote yourself in any possible way
-Learn how to work with lightening and have it down to a tee
-Be patient on learning the technique and performing well