A good photo can spark an appetite…
And on Homlunch, a good photo can also fill your kitchen with reservations.

Hosts with great photos of their dishes get more views, more clicks, and more bookings.
Why?
Because diners eat with their eyes first.

Today we’re sharing the best tips to make your homemade dishes look like they came out of a 5-star restaurant.

1. Always use natural light

Nothing beats natural light.
Place your dishes near a window and turn off overhead lights.
Avoid your phone’s flash, it creates harsh shadows and fake-looking colors.

Tip: The best times are in the morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft.

2. Use neutral, simple backgrounds

Let your dish be the star.
Avoid colorful or patterned tablecloths.
A wooden board, light-colored table, or plain cloth work perfectly.

Less is more. The focus should be on your food.

3. Pick the best angle

The three most effective angles for food photography:

  • Overhead (top-down): Great for flat dishes like tostadas, stews, or snacks.

  • Eye-level: Ideal for soups, stacked tacos, or bowls.

  • 45-degree angle: Adds depth and context. Great to show generous portions.

Try all three and pick the one that makes your dish look most appetizing.

4. Pay attention to plating details

Your food should look clean, lovingly served, and well presented.

  • Rice shouldn’t be smashed

  • Sauces shouldn’t spill over the plate

  • Add color accents (like cilantro, lime, red onion)

  • Wipe the plate edges before snapping your photo

5. Add one or two decorative elements

Place a spoon, glass of water, some tortillas, or a flower to the side.
It adds context and a cozy touch.

But be careful not to overdo it.
Remember: the star is your food.

6. Take multiple photos and choose the best one

Don’t upload the first photo you take.
Try different angles, lighting, and framing.
Then pick the one that makes you the hungriest.

Ask yourself:
If I saw this photo… would I book it?

7. Avoid heavy filters

Filters that change colors too much can make your food look fake or unappetizing.
If you edit, only tweak the brightness, contrast, and sharpness.

The food should look real, not artificial.

8. Upload at least 3 photos per dish

  • One general overview

  • One close-up for detail

  • One with the full setup (table or background included)

This builds trust and shows professionalism.

What if you don’t have a professional camera?

Your smartphone is more than enough.
Just make sure you have good light, clean framing, and love for what you cook.

Want to go the extra mile?
You can invest in a small white light lamp or book a simple home photo shoot.

Why is this important on Homlunch?

Your photos are your business card.
80% of diners choose based on images.
A great photo can make the difference between a popular kitchen and an overlooked one.

So grab your camera... and your sazon

Make your dishes look as good as they taste.
📸 Upload them to homlunch.com and start getting bookings.

Need help with your photos?
Write to us at hello@homlunch.com.