Frequently Asked Questions

What types of photography do you specialise in?

We specialise in commercial food and drink photography, creating everything from styled hero images and e-commerce product photography to images for packaging, branding, advertising and lifestyle campaigns.

For hospitality businesses, we also photograph the complete experience, including interiors, atmosphere, chefs and staff at work, team portraits, and the growers and suppliers behind the ingredients. One photography partner for all your hospitality marketing needs.

What types of photography do you offer?

We offer a wide range of commercial photography services, including:

• Food and drink photography – Menus, cocktails, styled dishes, products and ingredients.
• E-commerce and product photography – Clean, consistent images for websites, online shops, packaging and retailers.
• Creative hero shots – Carefully styled images for advertising, campaigns and branding.
• Lifestyle photography – Food, drinks and products in context, from cocktails being poured to carefully styled settings.
• Hospitality interiors and spaces – Restaurants, bars, hotel bedrooms, dining rooms, outdoor areas and other spaces.
• People and atmosphere – Chefs and staff at work, team portraits, events and the atmosphere of a busy venue.
• Provenance and production – Kitchen gardens, growers, suppliers, production processes and behind-the-scenes activity.
• Step-by-step and recipe photography – Preparation, techniques and finished dishes for cookbooks, packaging and digital content.

We'll recommend the right combination based on your business, your audience and how you intend to use the images.

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

Yes. Whether you need a complete preparation sequence or just the key stages of a recipe, we can photograph the process from ingredients to finished dish.

We'll plan the sequence around how the images will be used, whether that's in a cookbook, on packaging, in a recipe article or across your digital channels.

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

Absolutely. We create clean, carefully lit product images and flat lays for packaging, e-commerce, distributor listings, awards submissions, press kits and other marketing materials.

We can work to your existing brand guidelines or help develop a consistent photographic style across your product range.

Can you do video?

Yes, as an optional extra to suitable photography projects. We don't offer video as a standalone service, but we can incorporate it into your shoot where it makes sense.

If you need both stills and video, we'll plan the shoot accordingly and recommend the right team for what you want to create. The number of finished photographs may be slightly reduced to allow time for video capture and editing.

Can my headshot photographer shoot my food and drink products?

A good headshot or event photographer may be excellent at what they do, but food and drink photography presents very different challenges.

Food changes appearance quickly as it cools, melts or dries out. Glass, bottles, reflective packaging and intricate textures all require particular lighting, styling and technical skills. Even something that looks wonderful in front of you can be surprisingly difficult to make appealing through a camera.

Food and drink photography is our specialism, and we bring those skills to every project. We can also photograph the people, spaces and atmosphere of your hospitality business, giving you a consistent collection of images without needing to commission several different photographers.

Can you photograph our team, interiors and events as well as our food and drink?

Absolutely. We can photograph the full hospitality experience, including interiors, staff portraits, chefs at work, events, atmosphere and behind-the-scenes activity.

Whether you need photographs for your website, booking platforms, recruitment, social media or marketing campaigns, we can capture everything in a consistent style.

We don't offer weddings or general event photography as standalone services, but we're happy to recommend trusted specialists for those requirements.

What is professional food and drink photography?

It’s the skill of photographing food and drink in a way that makes it look appealing, authentic and memorable.

We use specialist lighting, styling and composition to showcase each product’s best features, whether it’s a glossy truffle, a beautifully presented dish or a distinctive bottle.

Why is professional food and drink photography important?

Professional photography helps customers understand the quality, experience and value behind your food or drink before they have tried it.

Independent consumer research by Nottingham Trent University compared responses to the same products shown with professional JaxMore photography and comparison images.

With the professional JaxMore images:

• average expected price increased by 40%, from £43.97 to £61.52
• average purchase-likelihood ratings increased from 2.9 to 4.0
• average perceived-quality ratings increased from 3.1 to 3.7

The research measured how people responded to the images. It did not measure actual sales or revenue increases.

Explore the full Nottingham Trent University research

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

Our photography can help you:

• showcase the quality behind your products
• build trust and confidence with customers
• strengthen your marketing across websites, menus, social media and advertising
• create a consistent visual identity for your brand

Photography is an investment, which is why we focus on creating images with a purpose.

Try our ROI Calculator and explore how photography can influence customer decisions.

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

AI-generated visuals and stock photos can have their place, but they often struggle to represent your actual product, brand and customer experience.

AI images can contain inaccuracies and unwanted details, while stock images may feel generic or disconnected from your business.

Your customers want to see what makes your food, drink or venue worth choosing.

We create authentic, brand-specific images that reflect your products, your style and the experience you want customers to expect.

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, hotels, kitchens or production facilities, depending on what best suits your brand, product and goals.

We photograph across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire and the wider Midlands, as well as London and across the UK.

We bring everything we need to deliver professional results wherever you are.

See how we work

Location Days

What were Location Days?

Location Days were a scheduled, shared-shoot format where we photographed multiple hospitality venues in the same area on a single day. They were designed to make professional food and drink photography more accessible.

Do you still offer Location Days?

No. We’ve evolved that approach into something more effective.

What replaced Location Days?

We now offer two routes, depending on what you need:

• Dedicated photography shoots through JaxMore
  Planned around your business, your timing, and your goals

• Bleatable
  A visibility-focused approach that combines professional photography with a Discovery Page, helping customers find you, understand you, and choose you

Which option is right for me?

If you need a focused set of high-quality images, a dedicated shoot is the right choice.

If you want to improve how your business shows up online and turn attention into bookings, Bleatable is the better fit.

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 every shoot has different requirements. Some clients need a handful of images with simple styling, while others need a half-day or full-day shoot with multiple sets.

Our photography starts from £350 + VAT. Once we understand what you need, we’ll recommend the right approach and provide a clear quote, including whether your shoot needs one photographer or both of us.

Will one or both of you photograph my shoot?

That depends on what your shoot needs.

Smaller, focused commissions can be photographed by one of us, which allows us to offer professional JaxMore photography from £350 + VAT without adding unnecessary cost.

For larger, faster-paced or more involved shoots, both of us may work on site. That allows photography, styling and preparation to happen side by side, helping us achieve more in the time available.

We’ll recommend the right approach when we discuss your project, and you’ll know exactly what’s included before you book.

Will I get the same JaxMore quality with one photographer?

Yes. Whether your shoot is photographed by Julia, Adam or both of us, it follows the same JaxMore approach to planning, lighting, styling and finishing.

We work together behind the scenes and edit our photography in-house, so the standard of the finished images doesn’t depend on how many of us need to be on site.

Can I pay in instalments?

We normally invoice for full payment before the shoot.

You can pay by bank transfer or PayPal. If you choose PayPal, eligible purchases may also qualify for PayPal Pay in 3, subject to PayPal's terms and approval.

For projects booked well in advance, we may take a 10% booking payment with the balance due before the shoot.

How quickly will you complete my project?

Most shoots are completed and delivered within a few days to two weeks depending on the scope. Rush work is possible, just ask.

How will I receive the finished images?

Images are delivered electronically in the formats you need, including high resolution TIFF for print, JPEG for social media and WebP for web use.

Can you accommodate large scale projects?

Yes. Whether you need a small set of hero images or a large campaign with hundreds of visuals, we have the capacity and experience to deliver consistent, high quality results.

Can you provide custom editing or retouching services?

Yes. Every image is edited to make the most of your product. We handle colour adjustment, texture enhancement, retouching and visual consistency in house.

Do you offer a guarantee?

Yes.

• If you’re not happy with your images, we’ll re-edit them
• If you’re still not happy, we’ll re-shoot
• And if we still haven’t delivered something you’re proud to use, we’ll issue a full refund

If a refund is issued, all licences are revoked and the images may not be used in any form. Written confirmation of deletion will be required.

We stand behind our work because we only take on projects we’re confident we can deliver exceptionally well.

How does the free shoot draw work?

Everyone who subscribes to our newsletter is automatically entered into our monthly draw to win a free food & drink photography shoot.

Stay subscribed and you stay in the draw — every month you’re on the list is another chance to win.

Are there any costs with the free shoot draw?

The monthly free shoot draw covers the photography session itself. If the shoot requires travel beyond 25 miles from Derby, travel expenses will apply.

Are props or special ingredients included?

If we already have the props you need, we’ll use them free of charge.

If we need to purchase specialist props, ingredients, or other items specifically for your shoot, these will be charged at cost (we’ll confirm any spend with you first).

Can offers be combined or transferred?

No — prize shoots can’t be combined with other offers, are non-transferable, and must be used within 3 months of issue unless we agree otherwise.

Can these offers change or end?

Yes — we reserve the right to amend or withdraw these offers with 30 days’ notice.

Where do I sign up for the Newsletter?

Glad you asked! You can sign up here