My Evolved At-Home Food Photography Setup: Gear, Lighting & Workflow for Stunning Shots

It’s been over three years since I last shared an in-depth look at my food photography setup, and while some elements remain tried-and-true favorites, a significant evolution has taken place. Not only have I carefully curated new additions to my camera gear, but I’ve also navigated two apartment moves since my last setup reveal. Each new living space has presented its unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to understanding and harnessing natural light. I’ve gone through a considerable adjustment period, meticulously observing the best times of day for optimal light, identifying the ideal windows for shooting, and generally adapting my workflow. It’s been a continuous learning curve, but I’m finally feeling more confident about the lighting conditions in my current home. While it might not quite match the unparalleled glow of my previous apartment, it’s a vast improvement over the “dark dungeon” feel of my last place!

Camera & Lenses: The Heart of My Setup

A pivotal upgrade shortly after my last post was the investment in a new camera: the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. My trusty previous camera, the Canon Rebel XSi, served me faithfully for a solid decade before it earned its well-deserved retirement. It was a remarkable camera that remained fully functional when I decided to switch, but the time had come for an upgrade. I noticed that I was no longer achieving the pristine image quality required for my work, especially when client styling demanded exceptionally crisp, high-resolution photographs. While I may not speak in highly technical jargon, a side-by-side comparison of photos taken with both cameras, using the exact same lens, revealed that the Rebel’s images were noticeably more pixelated upon closer inspection. For professional-grade food photography and client work, that level of detail is absolutely essential.

When I penned my last setup post, I had just acquired a 24-70mm 2.8L lens from Craigslist, and I’m thrilled to report that this workhorse lens is still a cornerstone of my kit today. I truly cannot emphasize enough how versatile and indispensable this lens has become. Its exceptional zoom capabilities make it perfect for a wide range of shots, particularly for capturing expansive overhead compositions without needing to constantly reposition my camera. My original lens lacked zoom functionality, which meant achieving overhead shots often involved precarious setups that were far from ideal (and no, I never actually glued my camera to the ceiling!).

Additionally, while it wasn’t used for the main shots of this post (as it was on my Mark III!), the 50mm 1.4 lens is another favorite. It excels not only in covering a wide field of view but also boasts numerous focus points, ensuring that every element within the frame appears incredibly sharp and detailed. (Just a quick note: the camera visible on the tripod in some of these photos is actually my older Canon Rebel with the 50mm 1.4 lens, because my Canon EOS 5D Mark III and its primary lens were actively in use to capture the images for this very post!)

My only pressing concern now is that both my camera body and lenses are long overdue for a professional cleaning. It’s one of those tasks I’ve been procrastinating on, primarily due to the apprehension of entrusting my valuable equipment to an unfamiliar service. If anyone in the Salt Lake area has a recommendation for a reliable and reputable camera cleaning service, please do share! I’d greatly appreciate any suggestions to ensure my gear continues to perform at its best.

Optimized Lighting Solutions: Natural & Artificial

One of the most significant and beneficial updates to my setup recently has been the strategic investment in artificial lighting. I acquired these lights a few months ago when my work schedule often forced me to shoot during evenings or on weekends, making natural daylight an unreliable option. These artificial LimoStudio soft-box lights (bulbs included!) from Amazon proved to be invaluable for maintaining consistent, high-quality results during those non-daylight shoots. Now that I work from home full-time, I prioritize shooting with natural light whenever possible. However, these soft-boxes still play a crucial role, primarily used to provide a much-needed boost of illumination on those notoriously dim, overcast days when natural light alone simply isn’t enough.

My only minor complaint regarding these soft-boxes is that their stands are quite lightweight. This makes them rather prone to toppling over – an occurrence I’ve experienced far too many times already! If you’re considering investing in them, I highly recommend finding a way to attach a weighted object to the base of each stand. This simple modification can significantly improve their stability and prevent frustrating interruptions during your shoots.

Another recent and highly impactful lighting accessory I’ve added is an adjustable clip stand specifically for my disc light reflector. It’s genuinely embarrassing to recall the contortionist-like “yoga poses” I used to perform in an attempt to simultaneously hold the reflector and operate my camera. I tried everything: balancing it on chairs, awkwardly tying it to my barstool with string, and propping it against walls. These makeshift solutions were consistently frustrating and often led to me abandoning the reflector altogether during shoots – a decision I invariably regretted during the editing process when harsh, unflattering shadows inevitably appeared in my photos.

Even just thinking about those past struggles brings a twinge of frustration, which underscores why this $24 investment has been easily the best money I’ve spent this year. While the stand is still a bit lightweight, I find it far less concerning for this particular use. If it happens to tip over, I don’t face the risk of shattered glass bulbs on my kitchen floor, which is a significant relief. This simple stand has dramatically improved my ability to manage light and eliminate shadows, making my photography workflow much smoother and more efficient.

The Tripod: A Reliable Workhorse Nearing Retirement

I am still actively using my dependable Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod (Update: this specific model is no longer sold, a similar one is linked) paired with its Junior Head. While it has certainly served me well for many years, I suspect its retirement will be approaching in the not-too-distant future. As I delve more into video content creation, I find myself in dire need of a tripod that can extend to significantly greater heights. This extra height is crucial for achieving stable, well-framed overhead shots, especially when positioned over a table, allowing me to capture most of the background without compromise.

Currently, to get sufficient height for overhead shots, I often have to precariously balance the tripod directly ON the table. This setup is not only unstable but also severely restricts my movement and ability to efficiently style the scene. While I could technically place my backdrops on the floor to gain height, the natural light from my windows simply doesn’t fall correctly when shooting from such a low angle, compromising the overall aesthetic. My ideal scenario would involve a ceiling-mounted anchoring system for my camera, but that’s definitely a long-term dream that won’t be realized anytime soon, LOL!

(Update: I’ve been actively researching an upgrade to the Manfrotto 028 Triman Tripod, primarily because of its impressive extended height capabilities compared to my current model. However, when you factor in the additional essential accessories like the lateral side arm (critical for overhead positioning) and a reliable geared head, it quickly becomes a substantial investment. So, this particular upgrade might have to wait a while longer. If any of you currently use the Triman and have insights or recommendations, please share your thoughts in the comments – I’d love to hear your experiences!)

Streamlined Editing Workflow: Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop

When it comes to post-processing, my editing workflow remains consistent and robust, relying strictly on Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop. What I’ve always appreciated most about Lightroom is its intuitive interface, which allows for powerful image adjustments without requiring advanced skills in complex editing features like levels and curves, which are often necessary in Photoshop. This makes Lightroom a significantly easier program for new photographers to learn and master.

My typical process begins in Lightroom, where I perform initial global edits to enhance whites, boost colors, and make overall tonal adjustments. Once these foundational edits are complete, I transfer the image into Photoshop for more precise, localized refinements. This might include spot removals, meticulous background clean-up, or any other specific detailed adjustments. Finally, I bring the image back into Lightroom for its final export, leveraging its powerful cataloging and output features.

Lightroom also serves as an invaluable organizational hub, allowing me to store and manage all my images in one centralized location. This means no more juggling countless Photoshop windows when working through a large batch of photos. Its “flagging” system is incredibly efficient, enabling me to quickly sort and narrow down the images I want to move forward with for further editing. Beyond organization, one of Lightroom’s most powerful features is its ability to set up custom export presets. This allows me to export my final photos at optimal web resolution, in the exact size needed for my blog, and even with my watermark automatically embedded – a huge time-saver that ensures consistency and efficiency in my publishing workflow.

Essential Shooting Aids: Tethering & Remote Control

To enhance my efficiency and precision during shoots, I continue to rely on my trusted wireless remote control and a tethering USB cable. These tools work in tandem, allowing me to view the images immediately on my computer screen at a much larger size as I shoot. This real-time feedback is invaluable for checking focus, composition, exposure, and styling details on the fly, enabling me to make instant adjustments and ensure every shot is perfect before moving on. It significantly reduces the need for re-shoots and streamlines the entire creative process.

Versatile Backdrops: From Foam Core to Custom Boards

For the majority of my food photography, white foam-core boards remain my go-to backdrop. While they aren’t a permanent, indestructible solution, their affordability and accessibility make them incredibly practical. I keep an eye out for sales at Hobby Lobby and stock up on a bunch, ensuring I always have fresh boards on hand for when they inevitably get splattered or stained from food spills. They offer a clean, neutral canvas that allows the food to truly stand out.

A few months ago, I also ventured into Home Depot and picked up some white marker boards to experiment with. I kept one board in its original white finish, while I painted the others in various custom colors using matte wall paint. The primary advantage of these boards is the ability to achieve a wide array of personalized colors and textures, perfectly tailored to specific dishes or seasonal themes. However, there’s a notable drawback: the paint scratches off quite easily. Even the slightest movement of a metal cake pan or prop can leave a noticeable mark. I’m confident there’s some kind of sealant I could apply to protect the painted surface, but since I haven’t extensively used them yet, I haven’t bothered with that step. One important consideration with these solid boards is their weight; they are considerably heavier than foam core, making them a bit cumbersome to switch out frequently between shots. I’ll likely regret this aspect the next time I have to move, but I’ll tackle that challenge when it arises!

So there you have it – an updated, behind-the-scenes look into my current at-home food photography setup and the essential gear I rely on daily! I sincerely hope this detailed post offers valuable insights and inspiration for your own photography journey. If you have any questions about my equipment, workflow, or anything else related to shooting delicious food, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below. I’d love to connect and help!

*This post is not sponsored by any of the companies that manufacture these products. The items listed above are tools and equipment that I have personally researched, purchased, and invested in myself to enhance my work. That said, this post does contain affiliate links – which means that I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase one of these recommended tools through my links. Please rest assured, I only recommend products and systems that I genuinely use, trust, and love myself.