It’s a good bet that if you’re sitting down to dinner, you’re snapping a photo of your food. Compelling images have the potential to create cravings that boost a restaurant’s appeal and garner engagement on social media. But not all of us carry a Nikon in our evening clutch. So we combined forces with Stacey Sprenz, founder of Stacey Sprenz Photography, to share some of her most shutter-worthy food photography tips–all tailored to your smart phone.

1. Turn off the flash. In food photography, a flash casts a shadow, washing out the subject and warping its appetizing hues. Natural daylight is best, so find a window whenever possible. And don’t be afraid to move the subject around to several places in the room to capture optimum lighting.
2. Try three different angles.
   1. 45 degrees or less: Use this angle to demonstrate the height of a dish, perfect for showcasing an appetizer with microgreens or a salad with garnish mounded on top.
   2. 90 degrees: The overhead angle typically works well for soups, skillets or table settings.
   3. Zero degrees for drama: Hold your smart phone level with the table to capture a particularly artistic plating or display.
3. Frame the shot. Use the rule of thirds. Divide the frame into three segments (horizontal, vertical and diagonal), and position the subject to fill either one-third or two-thirds of the frame. Allow “negative space” to fill the rest of the shot to focus emphasis on the dish.
4. Style on site. Utensils, textiles, table décor, background – experiment with available props to create a scene or elicit an emotion. Prop spoons at an angle, nestle the dish on a casually folded napkin or position a bottle of wine as a backdrop.
5. Use an app(lication) for your app(etizer). The custom technology of photo apps help to correct exposure and white balance, increase clarity and saturate weak color palettes. Experiment to find a phone app that works best for the type of photo you’re taking. For food photography, Stacey loves Afterlight.

Want to know more food marketing tips? Check out our blog on festival and event marketing–a great place to use your new photography skills. Peruse Stacey’s collection of culinary photos or chat with her on Twitter for more artistic inspiration.