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By TACP Staff on December 28, 2021
A food photographer takes pictures of food for advertisements, cookbooks, magazines, and other print and digital media. Depending on the type of assignment, a food photographer may be responsible for set design, props used in food creation, or directing models or chefs in preparing recipes. Their work may be used in ads for restaurants, grocery stores, cookbooks, food magazines, and other promotional purposes.
A food photographer is a professional photographer who specializes in photographing food products, drinks, and recipes for use in cookbooks, restaurant menus, and advertisements for food and drink companies. The work of a food photographer is often very different from that of a general commercial or editorial photographer, as it requires a different set of skills and working knowledge.
A food photographer must be prepared to wear multiple hats while on an assignment. They often play the role of an art director and may be responsible for set design (such as lighting and color), props used in food creation (such as plates or small appliances), or directing models or chefs in preparing recipes. They must be familiar with the food industry and an expert at food styling, as well as understand how to use a camera and editing software.
A food photographer typically works closely with the art director or client to assess what kind of image is needed. It may be necessary to take several shots of the same product in different light setups, at different angles, at various stages of preparation, and even from multiple cameras. These photographs are then edited using software, such as Adobe Photoshop.
The food photographer must be able to make the food look as appealing as possible on camera and know how to appropriately edit the photographs while still preserving the natural appearance of the food. Additional duties and responsibilities may include:
Food photographers may work for food companies directly, advertising agencies, magazines, cookbook publishers, grocery stores, online retailers, or restaurant industry clients. They usually work during regular business hours at production studios or local commercial kitchens. It is not uncommon for a food photographer to spend much of the day traveling to take photos at various locations, such as grocery stores, restaurants, or private kitchens.
Other attention-grabbing career options for individuals who are passionate about food photography include:
A food stylist is a type of culinary artist who typically works with a team to create the perfect dish for a photoshoot. The food stylist will have an art background and possess similar skills as those of a fashion or editorial stylist, such as crafting the set design, art direction, and posing models. Some individuals choose to become both food photographers and food stylists.
A commercial photographer specializes in photographing objects and people for advertisements and promotional materials. Commercial photographers typically specialize in a particular product or type of photography, such as business portraits, architectural shots, or promotional photos for commercials, billboards, and signage.
An editorial photographer captures images for newspapers, magazines, and other print publications. Editorial photographers work closely with the writer and editors of a publication to capture images that fit the theme and tone of an article. Some editorial photographers also write their own articles, while others work as staff members at newspapers or magazines.
A fashion photographer captures images of models and their clothing to be used in advertisements, editorials, and magazines. Fashion photographers work closely with stylists, models, advertising agencies, and magazine writers to create an image that fits the desired theme of a particular brand or article. Fashion photographers often specialize in high-end fashion photography or commercial photography.
A photojournalist captures images of relevant news events, such as natural disasters, political events, and social issues. Photojournalists are on location to capture current events as they unfold, and their work is used for articles, magazines, newspapers, online stories, television broadcasts, and documentaries.
Food photographers are a specialized group within the broad category of professional photographers. According to employment data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, photographers earned a median annual salary of $50,290, which is approximately $24.18 per hour. Top earners reported salaries higher than $86,850, or $41.76 per hour. The average annual pay reported by Zip Recruiter was significantly higher, at $58,306 per year or $28.00 per hour.
These estimates vary significantly depending on the industry in which a photographer is employed and are highly dependent on the person’s level of experience and artistic skill. Almost 65% of all photographers are estimated to be self-employed, which means that their income may fluctuate and differ substantially from other professionals in the same field.
The following 10 cities have been identified as having the highest average salaries in the U.S. with the greatest wage potential.
| CITY | HOURLY WAGE * | ANNUAL SALARY * |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, CA | $34.30 | $71,342 |
| Stamford, CT | $33.40 | $69,469 |
| Bellevue, WA | $33.32 | $69,312 |
| Mountain View, CA | $32.61 | $67,825 |
| Lakes, AK | $32.15 | $66,881 |
| San Francisco, CA | $32.15 | $66,865 |
| Palmdale, CA | $31.80 | $66,145 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $31.68 | $65,895 |
| Hartford, CT | $31.62 | $65,765 |
| Pasadena, CA | $31.50 | $65,524 |
| * Zip Recruiter, Food Photography Salary, December 2021 | ||
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