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Food and Drink Photography FAQs for Restaurants, Cafés, Artisan Producers and Hospitality

Clear. Honest. Helpful.


Got a question about how we work, what we charge, or what to expect? Whether you're running a restaurant, café, hospitality venue or artisan brand — here’s everything you might want to know about our food and drink photography. Some things fall squarely into the "How long is a piece of string?" category, so a definitive answer isn’t always possible — but we’ll do our best.

  • What types of photography do you specialise in?

    We specialise exclusively in commercial food and drink photography — including food and drink product photography — covering everything from styled hero shots and e-commerce images to packaging, branding, and lifestyle photography.

    Do you offer different types of food and drink photography?

    Yes! We offer:

    • E-commerce photography – Clean, crisp product shots for websites and retailers
    • Creative hero shots – Bold, eye-catching visuals for campaigns and branding
    • Lifestyle photography – Food and drink in context (cocktails being poured, dishes plated, ingredients styled)
    • In-Service / behind-the-scenes shots – Real-time kitchen photography - no retakes, no delays
    • Step-by-step / recipe content – Perfect for packaging, cookbooks, and online recipes

    We’ll recommend the right mix based on your goals.

    Can you shoot recipes or step-by-step photography?

    Yes — whether you need a full preparation sequence or just key stages, we can photograph your recipe from start to finish for print, packaging, or digital use.

    Can you shoot clean packshots or flat lay images for packaging?

    Absolutely. We often provide clean, well-lit images ideal for awards submissions, packaging mockups, distributor listings, and press kits.

    Can you do video?

    Yes — as an optional extra. We don’t push it as a standalone service, but having two of us — and two cameras available for every shoot — means we can capture video alongside your photography without slowing things down significantly, should you require it.

    If you choose to add video, we’ll balance the time on set so you still get the strongest possible results — but the total number of stills may be slightly reduced to allow for editing.

    Can my headshot photographer shoot my food and drink products?

    While headshot or event photographers may take great pictures of people, food and drink photography is a very different skill. It requires specialist lighting, styling, and technical understanding to bring out the best in a product — especially for glossy, textured, or reflective items. It’s why brands come to a specialist.

    Can you do my headshot (branding / event / wedding) photography?

    We could — but we don’t. We focus entirely on food and drink photography, so we can give your products the care and attention they deserve. That's why we are your visual advantage.

    However, if you’re looking for someone excellent in another area, we’ll be happy to recommend a trusted specialist.

  • What is food and drink product photography?

    It’s the skill of photographing food and drink in a way that makes it look irresistible. We use specialist lighting, styling, and composition to showcase each product’s best features — whether it’s a glossy truffle or a crisp, refreshing bottle.

    Why is professional food and drink photography important?

    High-quality visuals boost trust, elevate perception, and help your brand stand out. Our research with Nottingham Trent University revealed:

    • Consumers expect to pay 40% more when shown our professional images
    • Customers are 38% more likely to buy
    • Perceived quality can increase by up to 20%
    • Our professional photos increase preference for your product by over 18%

    Our photography is an investment — but the right image can be the difference between a customer stopping to look, or scrolling straight past. That’s why looks matter.

    How can our professional food and drink photography benefit my business?

    Our photography will:

    • Increase sales and justify higher price points
    • Build brand trust and emotional connection
    • Make your marketing and content more effective
    • Save you time by doing it right the first time

    Try our ROI Calculator and run the numbers for your own business today.

    Can’t we just use AI-generated or stock images?

    AI-generated visuals and stock photos might look passable at a glance — but they often fall short when it comes to realism, consistency, and brand fit.

    AI images frequently include inaccuracies and artefacts, and stock shots can feel generic or disconnected from your actual product. Neither reflects the care you’ve put into your brand — and neither gives you the flexibility to style, shoot, and light things your way.

    You also risk licensing and copyright issues, especially with AI.

    We create authentic, brand-specific images you can confidently use across web, packaging, print, and social — without compromise.

  • What usage licence is included with each package?

    We include a Perpetual UK usage licence with every package.

    These cover marketing, advertising, packaging and more. Let us know if you need international usage.

    What if I need an international licence?

    If your images will be used globally — on packaging, in overseas ads, or across international websites — we can quote for an extended licence to suit. Just tell us where the images will be used when we chat.

    Will I own the copyright for the images?

    No — but you don’t need to. We retain copyright and provide a usage licence that suits your package and project needs. This keeps things cost-effective and flexible.

    If you require full copyright ownership — including access to RAW files — this is available by separate agreement. Pricing starts at £500 and depends on scale and usage. Let us know if this is important to you from the outset.

    Can I have the RAW files to edit myself?

    We don’t provide RAW files as standard. These are unprocessed and intended for editing by the original creator. To maintain consistency and quality, RAWs are only supplied as part of a full copyright transfer.

  • Do you shoot on location?

    Yes — while our Derby studio is fully equipped, we’re happy to shoot on location in restaurants, bars, kitchens, or production facilities, depending on what best suits your brand, product and goals. We bring everything we need to deliver professional results wherever you are.

    Want to know exactly how a shoot runs from prep to delivery? Take a look at how it works.

    Do you follow any food hygiene standards when working in kitchens?

    Yes — we both hold Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering (Level 2) certification.

    We don’t handle food, but we do work in professional kitchens, and we take that seriously. That means clean clothing, no jewellery, minimal gear, and a respectful awareness of the environment we’re working in. We know how to avoid disrupting service or contaminating prep areas — and we won’t ever be in the way during a rush.

    It helps us work safely alongside chefs and service staff, and gives you peace of mind that inviting us into your kitchen won’t cause compliance issues.

    Which areas do you cover?

    We work with clients across the UK. You can send products to us by courier (we don’t recommend Yodel or UPS), or we can travel to your location for the shoot.

    How should I send my products to you?

    Securely package your items and label them clearly. Where possible, send multiples — this gives us choice during styling. Let us know in advance if anything is perishable, fragile, or time-sensitive.

    Please note: For food and drink items that are unpacked or styled, we can’t return them after the shoot.

    Can I attend the shoot or give live feedback?

    When we’re shooting on your premises, you're of course welcome to be involved.

    For studio shoots, we find the best results often come when we can focus without interruption — so we typically work independently once the brief is agreed. That said, if you have a Creative Director or brand lead who needs to give input, we're happy to discuss how that can be handled efficiently — whether that’s through a pre-shoot call, visual references, or remote approvals during the session.

  • How much do you charge?

    We work on a per-project basis because no two shoots are quite the same. Some clients need a handful of images with simple styling — others want a full-day shoot with multiple setups, locations, or dishes that need preparing on the day.

    Our photography packages start from just £595, and once we understand what you need, we’ll give you a clear, all-in quote. No guesswork, no hidden extras — just straightforward pricing that fits your project.

    Can I pay in instalments?

    Yes — we now accept PayPal Pay in 3, so you can spread the cost of your shoot into three interest-free monthly payments if you prefer.

    How quickly will you complete my project?

    Most shoots are completed and delivered within a few days to two weeks. Rush jobs are possible — just ask.

    How will I receive the finished images?

    We deliver your images electronically in the right formats for your needs — whether that’s high-res TIFFs for print, WebP for web, or specific sizes for online shops.

    Can you accommodate large-scale projects?

    Absolutely — whether you need one standout image or a complete set of 200+ visuals, we’ve got the capacity and experience to deliver consistent, high-quality results.

    Can you provide custom editing or retouching services?

    Yes — every image is fully edited and refined to bring out the best in your product. We handle colour correction, texture enhancement, retouching, and visual consistency in-house.

Still Not Sure?

If you’ve got a question we haven’t covered, just ask!

We’re always happy to talk things through — no pressure, no hard sell.

Whether you're exploring options or trying to figure out what would work best for your brand, we're here to help you make the right call.

Food and Drink Photography, Derby. One of our beautiful images (randomised, sorry!)

Julia & Adam


JaxMore Creative Photography logo. Food and Drink Photographer, Derby.

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KTBB Limited trading as JaxMore
Registered in England, no. 08828493
VAT no. 177253392
Registered Address: Carwood Park, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB

Page last updated: Sunday 5th October 2025 at 6:36pm

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Vote for us in the British Photography Awards!

Commercial photo of Withers Derby Gin - shortlisted for a British Photography Award in 2025

We’ve been shortlisted for the British Photography Awards!

This image, created in our Derby studio for Withers Gin, celebrates the city’s industrial heritage and creative spirit — from the Silk Mill to the Rolls Royce Merlin-powered Avro Lancaster.

Our work takes us far beyond Derbyshire, but this one is special. A Derby story on a national stage.

The judges have recognised it, and now it’s in the hands of the public. We’d be hugely grateful for your support with a vote — it only takes a moment — click below to visit the BPA page, scroll down and click the vote button.