LIGHTS, CAMERA, COCKTAILS: DEVELOP YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS

Lights, camera, cocktails! In the bar industry, self-promotion is a great way to get your name out there. You may have high-level skills behind the bar, but often customers make decisions on where to go with their eyes. With the growth of social media, an online presence can be key in ensuring your bar comes across as a good place to visit. Taking good, clear photos of your drinks can increase their popularity amongst local customers, as well as showcase your creativity in the workplace.

It’s time to level up your photography skills with our how to guide on crafting the perfect cocktail image. With four simple tips, you can create incredible photos of your tasty creations, just follow the steps below.

Lighting

Lighting is very important when it comes to taking the perfect photo. Too dark, and you can hardly see what it is you are trying to capture. Too light, and the subject looks washed out and not like the original colours. We recommend using natural light, preferably taking the photos earlier in the day or before sunset when there is no harsh light. In addition, try taking photos on a cloudy day as the clouds act as a natural light diffuser creating a soft even light.

Elevate

When it comes to capturing cocktails, you need to look for the right angles. Try shooting from the side and slightly elevated to see what’s inside the glass. This gives the look as if you were seated and viewing the drink in front of you like a customer. Experiment with different angles, depending on which glass the drink is served in. If you are serving the drinks with food, try shooting down to create a flat lay which works best to capture multiple items.

Presentation

Styling the drink is one of the most important steps. We eat/drink with our eyes first so why not show off your presentation skills and create a beautiful composition. Try adding some garnishes to the side of the drink like a wedge of lime or some mint leaves, it makes the image more interesting to look at. Don’t forget, presentation is key when photographing drinks, so make sure the ice is fresh and the glass is clean.

Background

Ensure your background is clear, you want the main focus to be on the drink. It’s best to use neutral backgrounds that aren’t too busy. If the background is distracting, try focusing on the drink and blurring the background so the drink stands out.

With these simple steps you can create beautiful eye-catching photos to show off your cocktail making skills that will leave your customers wanting more!

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