You want to create a spectacular image that everyone will love, that you’ll love, something that will cause emotion, or even better, hunger!

How do you decide on a mood for your photo?

Let’s start with the basics. Let’s have a plan!

This is the time when you make your choices. This is when you make all of the important decisions that will decide how your photo looks.

The feel: How do you want your finished photo to feel? Dark, moody, light, clean? Do you want it busy and full or props or ingredients or more graphic looking with minimal props?

Let’s back up a minute and talk about how to conceptualize the feel. There are a couple of different things that can help direct you to the feel you want.

One, would be the food.

The food you are shooting can have a huge impact on this.

For example, if you are shooting artisan feeling foods, maybe a chunky burger, a hearty stew, tacos or enchiladas. These can direct you to a darker feeling shot. Conversely, fruity dishes, breakfast foods and ice cream may lead you to a light, bright shot.

But, you don’t have to let that be your only guide. You may have a great surface you want to use, or a special plate you are dying to try out. You can certainly let that dictate your mood. Then adapt your food to fit the style.

Whichever way you choose to go about it, make a decision and start building there.

Start bringing in props that support the feel you want.

Think about texture. Heavy thick pieces for the darker shots, wood cutting boards, handmade dishes and darker linens. Glass, marble, light linens and fresh greens, for lighter shots.

Pull these things first, and start dressing your set. Make those decisions first before you bring any food out. Take some shots and crop them to see if it fits with your idea and feel. Switch out the things that aren’t working until you find that balance.

The final thing that will help you insure you get the feel you want is, the lighting.

For your darker shots, you can manipulate how dark they are, by using black cards, or flags, that will allow you to block light from areas you want to feel darker. You can choose to not bounce any light, or use fill cards, so you can get those dark shadows.

Lighter shots, will of course need brighter light settings, bounce cards and proper placement of props so they aren’t casting large shadows over the subject and that the food is turned toward the light to get the proper highlights.

Then of course, you can perfect your masterpiece in post production, which I know we are all grateful for!