My Food Photography Equipment

So let me guess. You’re here because you love to cook and now you want your photos to be stunning.

Food photography equipment is slightly different than portrait or landscape photography because the subjects are all so different. Whether you’re a professional or a food photography newbie, this list is a great start for diving into taking delicious food photos!

Please note this post may contain affiliate links which do not impact the cost to you but gives me a small commission. Thank you for your support!

my food photography equipment - list of all the equipment i use to take food photos

photo credit: Lily Rum

Quicklinks (detailed descriptions below):

Nikon D610
AmazonBasics Pistol Grip Camera Travel Tripod
ZOMEI Camera Tripod 72 inch Portable Professional Aluminium Monopod 4 Section Professional Tripods
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens
DIY Lightbox
Softbox Lighting Kit
Photoshop CC
Camera Bag + Strap
AmazonBasics Wireless Remote Control

DSLR Camera

Nikon D610
Yep, I’m a Nikon girl. No particular reason why. Canon and Nikon are pretty comparable in price and quality, but I just find Nikon easier to use. Again, my personal opinion!

One thing that’s important to look out for is a full frame camera. This will seriously enhance your food photos!

Tripods

AmazonBasics Pistol Grip Camera Travel Tripod
This one is great for everyday use. I have the Ravelli brand but the Amazon basics is a good contender as well.

ZOMEI Camera Tripod 72 inch Portable Professional Aluminium Monopod 4 Section Professional Tripods
I recently purchased this bad boy and while a heavy duty tripod like this isn’t a requirement by any means, but it’s great for overhead videos! It’s not as lightweight and quick to set up as the other one mentioned, so I don’t use it for everyday shooting.

Lenses

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
This is the most common lens for food photography and for good reason! Once I purchased this lens it seriously elevated my photos. I use this lens for 99% of my photos.

When looking for a lens for food photography, it’s nice having a fixed, or prime lens which means it doesn’t zoom. The reason for this is they produce sharper photos!

Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens
Macro lens are the best for capturing sexy food photos. They are great for getting drips, gooey cheeses, or really juicy details in a dish. Not required for total newbies, but it’s a great lens to add to your arsenal!

Lighting:

DIY Lightbox
Literally costs less than $20 and works like a charm! I still don’t have a need to purchase an expensive lighting system.

Softbox Lighting Kit
These emit a ton of light and are good quality.

DIY Bounce board
Again, super cheap to make and very effective!

Other Equipment:

Photoshop CC
I love photoshop for editing all my photos! It’s a great program and the limitations are endless.

Camera Bag + Strap
Obviously not required, but I bought this camera bag + camera strap from Etsy and I love it! So sleek and compact but very cute!

AmazonBasics Wireless Remote Control
It’s really inexpensive but great for taking photos when you are behind the camera. I use the remote for a lot of my process shots:

I hope you found this article useful! I know some food photography equipment can get expensive but you can start small and add equipment as you go.

I recommend starting with a DSLR, 50mm lens, and the DIY bounce board and light. After that, PRACTICE!

Please note this post may contain affiliate links which do not impact the cost to you but gives me a small commission. Thank you for your support!

Related:
How to Make a Photography Light Box
3 Best Angles for Food Photography
Color Theory for Food Photography
My Top 2 Camera Lens for Food Photography

What are your favorite food photography equipment essentials? Leave me a comment below!

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