Food photography is probably the last priority for F&B owners but it warrants reconsideration.
If 69% of millennial take pictures of food before they consume it, why shouldn’t F&B owners do the same for their own products and services?
Food photography is more than just occupying the empty space on the menu with random of pictures. In this day and age, F&B businesses have grown beyond the premise. Physical limitation of having your outlet bounded to one or more locations is no longer barrier to greater outreach.
In this day and age, F&B businesses are able to break free from traditional marketing and flock to digital marketing. This translates to having your own ‘shop‘ on Facebook and Instagram. Instagram, unlike Facebook provides bigger playing field because visuals occupies the feed of users. Having a presence on Instagram especially if you are selling perceptible products and services can be a great aid to create brand awareness.
Why Good Food Photography Is Great For Business?
Photos strengthen brand identity
High quality food photography can tell more about your food and beverages than an essay could achieve.The result? Food that appeals to the hunger and curiosity of potential customers.
Professional photography can also utilize clever photography tricks and styles to create a photo that’s more an illustration – it’s brand identity.
The best lighting strategy, proper composition, and staging can elevate the food presentation value.
Take for instance, the Instagram snap shots of Fox In The Snow Cafe above. The brand logo – a fox is featured with their key products – coffee. In other settings, it is also paired with other food which reminds followers that this F&B outlet is more than just cafe. The pictures support a brand identity of relaxing cafe with plenty to offer.
Good photos increase sales
Good product pictures can influence consumers to make a purchase. In fact, 67% of them felt that the quality of product image has an impact on their purchase decisions. The adage a picture is worth thousand words cannot be anymore accurate. First impression is important, and a good photo packs the punch to tempt or dissuade consumers.
Food photography is not only suitable for physical F&B outlets only. Even online F&B businesses can spread their wings (and hopefully sales) with catchy photos a la Door Dash.
Good Photos Attracts User-Generated Content
85% of consumers find user-generated content (UCG) more influential than brand content. UCG is akin to seal of approval from other consumers like the potential customer himself/herself. Let’s be honest, who would take and upload photos of something bad? For food and lifestyle bloggers, they would be likely to share food pictures if the brand photos offer a good (again), first impression.
Photos Are The Best Storytelling Tools
Our eyes are truly the windows the soul. Approximately 93% of human communication is visual which reinforces the need for good food photos. Whether the photos are used to illustrate the menu, or social media posting, cut down on the words and let photos do the talking.
Food and beverages are unlike other products and services such as cars, smartphones, cable TV, and others. Food appeals to our appetite and hunger. They do not need lengthy description because a picture would sum up how attractive it is to consumers. What better way to entice customers than to show them they cannot have by looking at photos alone? It evokes a reaction within them (which is to make a purchase).
Food photography is good for business – simply put. It is an investment for business to grow and attract a following. Business owners can opt to use to use their smartphones to take the photos. However, can it really compete with the upscale finish delivered by professional photographers. Most importantly, can your food photos compete with your competitors’ counterpart?
Take the leap and consider food photography to be an essential element of your F&B business.
