How to Photograph Levitating Food

Photographing levitating food can create visually stunning images that capture attention and spark curiosity. It may look challenging at first, but it is not as scary as it looks. Once I tried this for the first time, I wish I had tried sooner! Here is exactly how I captured pancakes with blueberries, and some tips for your first time:

1. Plan the Session in Advance

As appealing as it may seem to “wing it,” planning the session in advance will save you time and frustration on the day of the shoot.

First, decide which main food item you would like to photograph, and then decide which items you would like to add as enhancements. For example, I chose pancakes as the main item, and blueberries and strawberries as the enhancements. Be sure to select food items that are visually appealing and are colorful.

Make sure you have extras of everything. There is nothing worse than losing/breaking an item and needing to postpone the session!

2. Make Sure you Have all Your Supplies

In addition to your food items, you will also need fishing line, skewers, toothpicks, something to support the fishing line, as well as an appealing plate and non-distracting background.

3. Lighting is Key

If you do not have access to a large window with lots of natural light, a soft box is your next best bet. I used the Godox AD300 Pro.

4. Build Your Set

I zip-tied wooden sticks to a tripod, which I hung fishing line off of. If you are using fruit or a delicate item, you should be able to easily string fishing line through. If you are using a tougher item, you may need a needle to thread the line.

I used wooden skewers and toothpicks to assemble the pancakes. Since they were not a very firm food, the skewers tilted a bit, so I had to adjust everything a few times.

Patience is a key factor in this process. Play relaxing music or listen to an audiobook if it helps.

5. Camera Settings

I recommend a shutter speed of at least 1/300, in case the suspended food moves a bit. If you are adding additional effects, you will need a shutter speed of at least 1/500.

6. Composition Matters

Consider the composition and angle of your shot. Make sure to frame the shot in a way that draws the viewer's attention to the highlights of the food without distraction.

7. Take the Photo

You can either take the photo free-hand or use a tripod. I decided to add a splash of syrup in my photo, so I set my camera on a tripod with an interval timer.

8. Post-Processing

After capturing your images, use editing software to remove any visible threads or skewers. I used Adobe Photoshop, and then brightened the colors in Adobe Lightroom.

9. Experiment and Have Fun

Don’t hesitate to experiment with different foods, backgrounds, and arrangements. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Creativity is key — feel free to play around with concepts and styles to make your levitating food stand out.
By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating captivating levitating food photography that entices and delights your audience.

Happy photographing!

If you own a restaurant or food-related business and would like professional food photos, you can contact Alexa Roberts here.