There’s no doubt that Instagram is Emperor when it comes to #foodporn. The trend of sharing food photos is so formidable that Instagrammable restaurants can leverage their new persona to leave their competitors wondering what just happened!

The great news for any restaurant owner is that, in today’s high tech world, everyone possesses a smart phone, including you!

What’s the cleverest way to show the best side of your food and entice those increasingly elusive millennials to stop by?

There are right ways (and very ugly, fuzzy wrong ways) to showcase your delectable bites on IG at no cost.

1. Remove the clutter!
We like your friends a lot, but they’re not the focus here. Neither are your keys, wallet, half a warm beer…you get the drift. Try moving all distractions away from the dish to let it do what it does best – look hot (or cold)!
c/o The Next Idea International

               2. Cue the (natural) lights

No flashers allowed! Opt for natural light when possible. Your next best bet is to enlist a friend to use their camera light, or to position a candle nearby. Flash generally doesn’t provide your camera phone with the right amount of time to focus and capture the best image. Turn the flash off and keep it off.

c/o @worldveganfood

3. Angles: Focus on your dish’s good side

While that ¾ up selfie shot may work for you on a night out, your food doesn’t like it that much. Shoot from the top down. If that’s not doing it for you, shoot from the side.

c/o The Next Idea International

4. It’s ok to cheat (with other apps)

It’s hard to look great, so why not give your plate a boost? Yes, Instagram comes with filters and editing tools, but that’s not the main focus of the app. Take your editing elsewhere with apps like Adobe Lightroom for quick fixes, Adobe Photoshop Fix or Snapseed for fine-tuned edits, and Facetune to take your food’s look to the next level.

5. Be inspired

Develop a style. What makes @YourIG special and different from other foodie accounts? If you need a little help, try checking out #foodporn for inspo.

c/o @frasave_                                                                               c/o @davidwma

6. Go for colors!

While there are plenty of examples of IG-worthy food that isn’t colorful, adding color to dishes is one way to stand out. Adding a pop of color attracts attention, and when done well, lots o’ likes!

c/o The Next Idea International

7. Focus first

Tell your camera what to focus on – you’re in charge. Be creative! Focus on one part of the dish, encompass the full dish, or put something in the foreground and focus to the back of the photo with your dish.

c/o The Next Idea International

8. Delectable dishware is all the rage

Sometimes, the plates, cups, utensils etc. are just as exciting as the dish itself! Brighten up dull plates with funky patterned plates, colored glasses, and one-of-a-kind looking utensils.

c/o @anna__devito

9. Be a tease

Don’t show it all off, honey! Keeping the viewer guessing is just as exciting as centering your main dish. The best way to capture a large and interesting spread is to focus on one or 2 dishes, with the rest artfully cut out of the photos.

c/o @noodleworship

10. Put a “cherry” on top

Don’t forget about your caption! A great caption is the cherry on top of your tasty post.

Article by Thelma Weaver, Restaurant Marketing Consultant with The Next Idea

Editor and Partial Photography by Robert Ancill, CEO, The Next Idea