From 'Instagram-Worthy' to 'Memorable': How to Photograph Everyday Meals | Knowledge #286
Cover photo by fujikko
The usual dinner table. Busy weekdays. Store-bought dishes or leftovers from the day before. These seemingly mundane moments, which may not feel worth photographing, can suddenly become endearing when viewed through a lens.
In this article, we’ll introduce perspectives and tips to help you capture your everyday meals in a way that feels authentic to you.
Photo by T15
Why Focus on 'Memorable' Over 'Instagram-Worthy'?
Food photography is also a record of your life and emotions at that moment. When you focus too much on making it 'Instagram-worthy,' you may end up spending time on staging backgrounds, props, and lighting, which can detract from the original purpose and meaning of the meal itself.
Photo by もーちょ
On the other hand, when you focus on 'memorable,' your approach to photography changes. Instead of emphasizing deliciousness, you may want to capture the time that flowed during the meal or the presence of the person who prepared it.
Capturing 'Everyday Meals' in Photos
When photographing food, it’s easy to zoom in to make it look appetizing. However, stepping back to capture the entire table or the atmosphere of the kitchen can convey the warmth of daily life in a single shot.
If you have the chance, try including hands in the frame—hands cooking, serving, or about to eat. These moments can leave a tangible memory of 'someone was there, and a meal was shared.'
Photo by shimizu_nobu_
What Kind of Photos Do You Want to 'Preserve'?
Photos are like letters to your future self or someone else. Instead of just showing 'what you ate today,' photos that convey 'what kind of time you were living' can leave a gentle warmth when you look back on them someday.
Photo by saciiiko
Photographing everyday meals is not about making them look stunning but about creating memories. It’s not for others to see but to preserve the moments shared with yourself or your family. These photos, I believe, will tell the story of what 'richness' means in the times to come.
