3 Days: 2 States: 1 Purpose–Food

Behind the Scenes- My journey into Food Styling

It all began during a photo shoot—amid lighting setups, props, and creative tension, I watched a food stylist at work, and something inside me lit up. I was intrigued, inspired—and decided then and there to try my hand at bringing food to life through the lens. Because food photography isn’t just about clicking a button. It’s about evoking taste and emotion—making the viewer feel the fragrance of spices, the richness of a sauce, or the freshness of produce. Food styling is the magic that transforms a raw dish into a visual story.

What Food Styling Truly Is

As defined by Easy Food Photography, food styling is the art of representing food for the camera. It bridges the gap between the kitchen and the final image. In fact, styling often makes up half—or more—of a successful food photograph. Without styling, even technically excellent shots may fall flat.

Here are a few core principles every food stylist should live by:

• Simplicity first: Keep the frame clean and focused—less clutter lets the dish shine.

• Freshness matters: Only the best, freshest ingredients make the cut, because the camera catches everything.

• Color harmony: Choose props, backgrounds, and garnishes that complement the dish and enhance its mood.

• Balance and proportion: Pay attention to size, shape, and volume to create a natural, appetizing composition.

• Perfection in details: From crumbs to folds, every tiny element should feel intentional.

• Depth and layering: Arrange elements to guide the eye and create a sense of dimension.

• Thoughtful props: Support the story with props that belong—never distract.

They may sound simple, but consistency in these basics is what elevates a shot from good to unforgettable.

Putting Theory into Practice: Our Melam Packaging Campaign

What better canvas than the rich flavors of South India? With dishes from Kerala (Sambar, Alleppey Fish Curry) and Tamil Nadu (Rasam, Kadala Curry), our team embarked on the Melam campaign.

We infused regional context through props: earthen mud pots, woven cane mats, halved coconuts, layouts with coconut shavings, and even the Kerala drape (white sari with gold border). Every element was selected with purpose, lending visual authenticity.

Yet the shoot revealed behind-the-scenes truths:

Meat is often only partially cooked to retain plumpness, then glazed, blowtorched, and oiled to produce that “fresh” look. We artfully sprinkle crumbs or powders to create “intentional mess”—it makes the shot feel alive, not sterile. Lighting is king in food photography. Shadows, highlights, texture—all depend on light control.

Soon I realized: You’ll never look at food photography the same way again. The final image may appear spontaneous, but it’s handcrafted to seduce the eye.

Final Thoughts

Food styling isn’t just accessory work—it’s half the craft. Combine it with mood boards, research, and careful photographic technique, and you can turn a humble dish into a sensory invitation.

It’s not magic—it’s method, patience, and passion. And once you begin, you’ll never see a spice, or a soup, in quite the same way again.