3 Reasons To Use Commercial Photography For Restaurant Menus And Ads

The key goals for commercial photographers are to attract consumers, present products in their best light, and showcase professional looks for businesses. If you own a restaurant, one of the biggest selling points is the food you sell. Learn how a commercial photographer can help create strong images to use in menus and advertisements.

1. Avoid Stock Photos

For many restaurant owners, it's easy to hop online, find some free stock photos, and use them on menus or through advertisements. While the stock photo option is the easy way out, you do not truly represent your restaurant. The food options will not stand out, and you run the risk of displaying the same photos as a similar restaurant nearby.

When you stick with completely original photos, you will represent your vision for the restaurant. The photos can also feature your restaurant branding, including logos and colors used to draw attention to the restaurant.

2. Capture the Essence of Food

Along with stock photos, many restaurant owners may try to capture their own photos of the food. While you can capture your original meals, the skills of a professional commercial photographer really help make food stand out.

Professional lighting and set-ups will capture all angles of the food. For example, a photographer can capture the steam rising off a freshly cooked steak. Small details can focus on a pat of butter slowly melting over a corn on the cob. A little moisture added to a plate will help make the meal shine and stand out.

The commercial photography skills will help the final product look professional and really draw the attention of the consumer looking through ads or printed menus.

3. Stylized Shoots

A stylized shoot brings a lot more than just capturing pictures of the food. For example, if you own an Italian restaurant, a stylized shoot will capture the feeling of Italy and really encompass all elements of the restaurant. When you think of your restaurant, you may think of keywords like "fresh," "hearty," and "delicious." A stylized shoot will capture those feelings.

For example, a focus on the word "fresh" for a pizza restaurant may include a pizza displayed with a fresh tomato, a chunk of cheese, and a ball of dough. Without even using words, people who look at the picture can see how the fresh ingredients go into making a delicious pizza pie.

The use of a commercial photographer can help take your marketing and branding to the next level as your restaurant's popularity grows.

To learn more, contact a commercial photographer.