Shooting Cocktails for Social Media
Always prioritize natural lighting when shooting cocktails…
SHOOTING COCKTAILS IN NATURAL LIGHTING
Always seek the option to use Natural Lighting!
Lighting is key in order to take gorgeous looking captures and always get people’s attention.
Whether you shoot with your Smartphone or Camera, lighting plays the vital role.
Seek out the closest window/door etc. and prepare your captures there. A table with some reflective surface works wonders, and then simply put the cocktail on the table and “walk around it”.
Look for where the light hits the cocktail the best, and as you prefer it – this is the angle you want to shoot from.
If you have some kind of reflector (white cardboard, white shirt or additional lighting) you want that “light” to come from the side of the cocktail, enhancing the effects even more.
By using vivid ingredients you attract your audience
BRIGHT AND CLEAR
Intense bright and colourful Cocktails works the best. “Brown” cocktails tend to never get as much attention as the colourful ones – regardless of what actually tastes the best.
Think about colour contrasts. A bright and intense red coloured Cosmopolitan, for example, with a bright green lime garnish have a fantastic appeal to the viewer.
Clear cocktails, instead of “muddy and foggy” cocktails, works the best – if you prioritize what “looks good on Social Media”.
Personally, I prefer what tastes the best, but at the same time, looks appealing and inviting for the viewer.
If you have a “muddy and foggy” cocktail at hand, try to garnish it with something that draws attention; an edible pretty flower, a dehydrated citrus garnish etc.
Just remember; it should always be about the taste!
Get up close and personal…
CLOSE UPS
Now focus on the cocktail with your camera and snap away. Try different angles and distances. Often getting up close and personal to the cocktail works the best.
Think also about backgrounds.
When taking the captures close to the cocktail, you will often get a nice and blurry background. You want the background to be there, but not take over the shot and confuse the viewer. Place some props (such as bar tools, bottles, plants etc.) but don’t overdo it.
You want the focus to be on the cocktail, but setting the right kind of “mood” is key!
I can’t wait to see and hear more about your own experiences, so feel free to chip in.
In the meantime check out more creations on my IG feed.
Great article. Informative and well written. Will definitely give your tips a try next Time Im shooting a drink. I tend to forget about garnishes, so thanks for reminding me of their importance.
Really glad to hear that. Indeed garnishes not only give an visual appeal but also add to the whole cocktail experience. Can’t wait to hear about your garnish experiences. Cheers.