Your Food Photography & Styling Starter Kit: Tools, Tricks & Where to Get Inspired

Beth McCahon
Jul 19
4 min read

If you’ve ever scrolled past a beautifully styled dish and thought, “How do they make food look that good?”—you’re not alone. Food photography is one part skill, one part creativity, and one part having the right tools at your fingertips.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a full studio setup to create scroll-stopping food content. Whether you're a small business owner, a food blogger, or a content creator who just loves making things look pretty, I’ve rounded up my favorite tools and resources to help you get started (or uplevel your current setup).

Let’s dig in. ✨

GEAR TO GET YOU STARTED

Before we talk tech: yes, you can take beautiful food photos with your phone. Lighting, styling, and composition are just as important—if not more—than the camera you’re using. But if you're ready to invest in gear that gives you more control and consistency, here’s what I recommend:

My Go-To Gear for Food Photography: (affiliate links below)

Canon EOS R6 – My daily driver for both food photos and short-form video. It's fast, has amazing autofocus, and delivers gorgeous detail.👉 Shop the Canon EOS R6 on Amazon
Sigma 50mm or 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens – Perfect for capturing food from multiple angles, whether you’re shooting top-down brunch spreads or dreamy close-ups of drizzled desserts.👉 View the lens here
Sturdy Tripod with Horizontal Arm – Game-changer for flat lays and overhead shots. Stability = sharper photos.👉 Get this tripod
Natural Light Reflectors – Bounce and soften light without needing a full studio setup.👉 See my favorite reflector kit

💡 Pro Tip: If you're using your phone, try placing it on a small tripod and shooting near a window with indirect light. Use a white foam board to reflect light and soften shadows—it’s cheap and works wonders.

STYLING TOOLS

Styling is where the magic happens. A well-placed drip of honey, the right napkin texture, or a clean plate edge can make your shot feel polished and professional. These are tools I actually use on set—and they’re beginner-friendly, affordable, and fun to work with.

My Styling Kit Essentials: (affiliate links below)

Browning Sauce – Gives food that golden, “just baked” look, especially useful for meat, bread, or anything that looks too pale under lights.👉 Get it here
Precision Squeeze Bottles + Dropper Bottles – For drizzles, oils, and adding shine in just the right places (without overdoing it).👉 Shop the set
Foam Cleaning Swabs – Clean up little messes on plates or props without smudging the whole setup.👉 Buy swabs here
7-Piece Plating Tool Kit – Includes tweezers, spoons, tongs, and spatulas that help you place every crumb and drizzle like a pro.👉 Snag the kit here
Apron with Pockets – For practical reasons (hello, syrup splash), but also because it just feels right.👉 Check it out
Linen Napkins + Fabric Textures – A good textile can add softness, contrast, or movement to your shot.

INSPIRATION

Feeling stuck or in a creative rut? I’ve been there. Inspiration is all around, and sometimes the best ideas come from outside the food world. Here’s where I regularly go to refill the creative tank:

Where I Look for Food Styling & Photography Ideas:

Pinterest (a stylist’s secret weapon)

I organize my boards by:

Color palette
Mood (light, moody, rustic, modern, etc.)
Plating & tablescapes👉 Follow my Pinterest boards

Books That Get Me Inspired:

“Eat Beautiful” by Wendy Rowe – Beauty-meets-wellness-meets-food styling.👉 Buy it here
“Gastro Obscura” – A wild and wonderful global dive into food culture.👉 Check it out
“Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” by Samin Nosrat – Not just for cooking—her food styling is also gorgeous.👉 Shop the book
"Feed the Planet: A Photographic Journey to the World's Food" - A unique view of the global effort that puts food on our tables and transforms the surface of the Earth. This will really change your perspective on ingredients. 👉 Buy it here

Restaurants & Bakeries (yes, even their websites!)

Tartine Bakery (SF) – Rustic, minimalist, and deliciously styled.
Bar Isabel (Toronto) – Beautiful use of light and color.
Pasticceria Marchesi (Milan) – Pastels, pastries, perfection.

Fashion & Beauty Brands That Nail Aesthetic Food Moments:

Glossier – Often mixes beauty with food or tablescapes.
Dior Beauty – Their campaigns drip with color inspiration.
Summer Fridays – Clean, bright, with the occasional iced matcha cameo.
Maison Kitsuné – A café, fashion label, and brand with beautiful product visuals.

💡 Try creating a mood board from these references before your next shoot. The creative crossover is real.

✨ Final Bite

Food photography is as much about play as it is about polish. With a few versatile tools and a steady stream of inspiration, you can elevate your content—whether you're shooting croissants in your kitchen or building a portfolio for your brand.

You don’t need everything to get started. Pick what feels exciting to you, experiment, and let your style evolve. And if you try any of the tools above, tag @houseofrue so I can cheer you on. 🍒

—This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click through and purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I actually use and love. 💛