In the ever-evolving world of photography, food photography is no exception.

With social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok being the gastronomic playgrounds they are, food photography has become a dynamic and influential genre across all platforms and mediums.

A colorful spread of Middle Eastern vegetarian dishes featuring falafel, tzatziki, pita bread, pickled peppers, cucumber-tomato salad, and olives, captured by Georgie Glass, food photographer in Manchester, UK.

The photography game is evolving faster than dough rises in a warm kitchen! So, grab your cameras, don your aprons, and let’s dish up the sizzling-hot trends that are taking the food photography scene by storm!

‘The Humble Ingredient’ - Let’s Get Up Close and Personal

In 2024, one of the prominent food photography trends will be a return to simplicity and authenticity. ‘The humble ingredient’ trend involves focusing on individual components of a dish, allowing them to take centre stage. This approach showcases the natural beauty, texture, and colours of ingredients, highlighting their unique characteristics.

We’re talking close-up shots of vibrant berries, textured grains, or glistening drops of olive oil. This trend celebrates the natural beauty, texture, and colours of ingredients.

To master ‘the humble ingredient,’ you’ll want to embrace the magic of natural light, or if that isn’t available to you, get playful with Continuous Lights. Let those ingredients bask in the glory of the sun, and get up close and personal with macro photography techniques. Trust me; your followers will be drooling over these intimate ingredient portraits.

Close-up of ripe figs in a rustic bowl with one fig sliced open to reveal the juicy red interior, photographed by Georgie Glass, a Manchester, UK based food photographer, capturing the natural elegance of this humble ingredient.

Females in the Food and Photography Industries - Women Leading the Charge

2024 is all about celebrating the amazing women in the food and photography industries. They’ve been stirring the pot (quite literally!) for years, but now they’re also ruling the photography game. Female chefs, food stylists, and photographers are taking the industry by storm.

What makes this trend exciting isn’t just the number of women involved but the unique perspectives they bring to the table (you know me guys, love a pun). Women are masters at capturing emotion, mood, and storytelling elements in their food, and translating these feelings and emotions into the content and imagery they’re creating. Keep an eye out for female-driven photography collectives dedicated to showcasing their remarkable work, things like Hashtags on Instagram, or even Facebook groups.

To embrace this trend, collaborate with talented female professionals, and let their creativity shine. Together, you can create visually stunning and empowering food stories that resonate with a broad audience.

Overhead shot of a cozy Middle Eastern feast on a red patterned rug, including a tagine, hummus, tabbouleh, pita bread, and mixed vegetables, with hands serving food, photographed by Georgie Glass from Manchester, UK, capturing the warmth of shared dining

Hands in Shots - A Dash of Personality

Who doesn’t love a personal touch? In 2024, ‘hands in shots’ are hotter than ever. Adding a pair of hands to your food photos brings a sense of intimacy and connection. It’s like inviting your viewers to join you at the table for a shared feast.

Whether it’s a chef’s hands meticulously crafting a dish, or a diner reaching for that first delicious bite, or even a group of friend cheers’ing with a round of cocktails, hands in shots add a human element that elevates your food photography. It tells a story, conveying the act of preparation, enjoyment, and shared moments around food.

When you’re sprinkling some ‘hands in shots’ magic into your food photography, play with composition and storytelling. Make sure those hands complement the narrative of the image. Experiment with angles and lighting to create depth and texture, making the hands an integral part of the visual story.

Overhead view of a homemade pie with a flaky crust, partially served, revealing a hearty bean and sausage filling, set against a playful red and white polka dot tablecloth, photographed by Georgie Glass in Manchester, UK.

Close-up of a traditional lentil stew with a spoon resting inside the pot, displaying the rich mix of lentils, tomatoes, and greens, presented on a white and red striped kitchen towel, captured by Georgie Glass, Manchester.

Freshly baked shepherd's pie in a white ceramic dish with a golden potato topping, portion scooped out onto a plate, showcasing the layers of seasoned meat, peas, and carrots, by Manchester food photographer Georgie Glass.

Top-down shot of a rustic shepherd's pie with one serving taken out, revealing a colorful mixture of minced meat, chickpeas, and vegetables beneath mashed potato crust, on a wooden table, by Georgie Glass food photographer from Manchester.

Authenticity - Embracing Imperfections

2024 is the year of authenticity in food photography. It’s time to ditch the overly styled and artificial images and embrace the realness. Authenticity means capturing the imperfections, quirks, and genuine moments associated with food and the joy it brings to people.

Forget about perfect table settings and meticulously plated dishes. This trend is all about showing food in its natural state — messy, imperfect, and utterly delicious. It resonates with viewers because it reflects the reality of cooking and dining.

To jump on the authenticity bandwagon, keep things natural and unfiltered. Minimise excessive retouching and editing to let the true colours and textures of the food shine through. Experiment with candid shots that capture the spontaneity of cooking and eating. Don’t be afraid to showcase those occasional kitchen mishaps – they make your photos relatable!

A vibrant and fresh grapefruit half being squeezed by a hand over a glass of sparkling water, set against a bright yellow background, captured by Georgie Glass, food photographer based in Manchester, UK, highlighting the lively burst of citrus.

A tall glass of a layered cocktail with vivid blue and red neon light accents, reflecting a modern and sleek aesthetic, photographed by Georgie Glass in Manchester, UK, showcasing the drink's dynamic colors and enticing clarity.

Bold and Bright Colours - A Visual Feast

2024 promises a visual feast of bold and bright colours. Vibrant hues will steal the spotlight, creating eye-catching compositions that are simply irresistible. This trend encourages you to play with a diverse palette, experimenting with contrasting colours to make your photos pop.

To incorporate bold and bright colours into your food photography, channel your inner vibrancy guru. Complementary colours, like blue and orange or green and red, can create visually striking effects. Experiment with bold backgrounds, colourful props, and garnishes to amplify the vibrancy of your shots.

Don’t forget that lighting is crucial for showcasing colour. Natural light works wonders in bringing out the true vibrancy of food. Consider using diffusers or reflectors to control the light’s intensity and prevent harsh shadows that could dull those fabulous hues.

Motion - Lights, Camera, Culinary Action!

Get ready to add some cinematic flair to your food photography because motion is here to stay in 2024. Videos, Reels and GIFs will continue to be a big hit, letting viewers experience the sights and sounds of cooking and dining.

Imagine capturing a sizzling pan of stir-fry, the slow pour of rich chocolate sauce over a decadent dessert, or the mesmerising dance of steam rising from a hot cup of coffee. Motion allows you to convey the essence of culinary moments like never before.

To dive into the world of top-class motion, you’ll need a quality Videographer, luckily we provide these services at GG Photo! Experiment with different camera angles and movements to create captivating visuals. Don’t be shy about adding background music or ambient sounds to enhance the sensory experience for your audience, or even a trending audio (if you’re feeling brave!)

As we look ahead to 2024, the world of food photography is set to be a dynamic and exciting space. By incorporating these trends into your food photography, you can create visually stunning and emotionally resonant images that captivate and inspire viewers.

So grab your camera, embrace these trends, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your followers craving more. 2024 is your year to shine, one scrumptious shot at a time! So, get out there, capture those drool-worthy moments, and let your creativity run wild in the delicious world of food photography. Cheers to a year filled with tasty visuals!

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Food Photography Trends for 2024: Digging into What’s Hot!