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Curious about the food photography equipment a professional food photographer uses? Of course you are, everyone loves taking about gear.
Before you scroll down to check out the food photography gear that I have, remember that I didn’t start out with everything on this list. I am writing this 10 year into my photography journey. In that time, I’ve worked out what gear helps me spark creativity. I hope that you enjoy reading through this list.
Let’s check out my food photography equipment!
Camera & Lenses
I am a Nikon shooter, and currently, shoot with the Nikon Z6 mirrorless (full-frame). I use an FTZ adapter as my lenses aren’t mirrorless lenses.
The lenses I use are:
- Nikkor 105mm 2.8 micro (highly recommend)
- Nikkor 85mm 1.8
- Nikkor 60mm 2.8 micro
- Sigma Art Series 50mm 1.4
- Nikkor 50mm 1.8
- Nikkor 35mm 1.8
Read more about the lenses I recommend for food photography.
Ultimate Guide
Lenses For Food Photographers
Tripod & Accessories
I use a Manfrotto 058B Triaut Tripod, which is a very sturdy studio tripod. I also use the Manfrotto 131D overhead arm and the Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head (highly recommend) to make slight adjustments. This is the tripod I use most of the time in-studio.
For on location, I have a Gitzo GT2541EX Explorer carbon fiber tripod and a ball head (my preference now is a geared head).
Read my ultimate guide on tripods for food photography.
Natural Lighting
I rarely shoot with just window light. I am always manipulating the natural light that I have to meet the theme or concept I am shooting. But my food photography equipment for natural light isn’t complicated!
For refelctors/diffusers I use this 4″ x 6″ Neewer (highly recommend). I also have two smaller ones, a circular and handheld. Then I use lots of black and white foam boards (highly recommend) to block or reflect light. You can get these from your local stationery supplies store.
To learn more read my post on the basic natural light setup for food photography.
Food Photography Gear & Accessories
For those miscellaneous food photography equipment items that we can’t live without, here’s a quick list of common items I get asked about:
- 2TB Seagate Slim hard drives
- 5TB Samsung SSD drives
- Heavy Duty Clamps (highly recommend)
- Neewer Photo Clamp Holder (highly recommend)
- Manfrotto Nano Stand
Artificial Lighting
When it comes to lighting for food photography, I shoot with both natural and artificial light, but I love the flexibility that artificial light gives me (especially for client work).
Profoto B10X (250 w/s) is what I use most of the time, and also have an old Profoto B1 (model discontinued). I have their Air Remote TTL-N trigger and use a Manfrotto 420B Combi Boom (highly recommend) lighting stand for most of my modifiers.
The main modifiers I have are the 2′ x 3′ soft box, a 1′ x 4′ strip box (I have a second hand discontinued model) and a 2′ octa box.
Photo Editing & Software
I use Adobe Lightroom Classic, Adobe Photoshop and Capture One Pro for my photo editing.
To learn how to edit in Lightroom, check out my masterclass Lightroom Magic. I also teach foundational retouching in Photoshop in my masterclass Retouching Food Photography.
Got any questions about any of my gear? Let me know in the comments below!
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Fotograf nunta
Hi, Rachel!
Thanks for all your advice!
Because I do wedding photography, I always have to photograph all the details, including the food.
I always come here with pleasure to find inspiration & ideas.
Julian
http://www.fotoviva.ro
Rachel Korinek
So glad you found this helpful! x
Lou
HI Rachel,
First, I would like to thank you so much for all the informations.
I have a question regarding the lense 85mm, could you please help me to understand the difference between these two lenses:
– Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG AND – Nikon AF-S 85mm F1.8 G
Thank you again
lou
Rachel Korinek
Hey Lou! Lens will differ per brand and there will be slight differences in light and vignetting etc. Mostly the difference here is that one goes to an aperture of 1.4 and one goes to 1.8. I have the Nikon AF-S 85mm F1.8 G. I don’t think you need the extra aperture with the 85mm so you can save a little bit of cash. But if budget isn’t an option for you, 1.4 is nice to have. The Sigma Art lens range is known to be super sharp and it’s pricier. Hope that helps!
Lou
Thank you so much Rachel…I can’t thank you enough…
wyspazwierzat
Great!! Thanks! 🙂
Lou
Dear Rachel,
I have a question about the artificial light, for food photography do I need one light or two? I have a budget to buy one profoto light or 2 lights but cheeper light (another brand) , I need your advice from an expert photographer like you Rachel.
Thank you so much
Lou
Rachel Korinek
Hi Lou! It will depend a little on what you are lighting and the look you are going for. Some setups will need more than one light. 90% of the time I am using just one light. Two lights can be confusing at the start. I recommend getting started with and mastering one light before you get a second one. Hope that helps!
lou
Dear Rachel ,
Thank you so, so much for your advice.
Another question and the last 🙂 Do you thing a Broncolor kit 2 units Siros 400 S , will be enough power, for food photography, or do I need more power like the Profoto D1 500 (I have found a good deal for both lights).
I need your advice if you have to choose, I like the chiaroscuro photography …also lighting from the back …
thank you again
Lou
Rachel Korinek
You’re so welcome Lou. My light is 250 w/s and so far it’s enough power for me. If I was lighting larger scenes it would be nice to have 500 w/s. I don’t think you need more than 500 w/s for what we do 90% of the time. But if you want a light that grows with you, I would aim for 500 w/s. My next purchase will be a 500 w/s light. So either of those looks good and if you have the budget for the D1 500 w/s I would get that one. Excited for your new purchase 🙂
Nadia Cruz
Hi,
We are opening a new restaurant in Richmond NSW, we are looking to do a food photoshoot, would you kindly advise cost, etc? We are available from the 16th November please or is there anyone you could recommend please?
Emma
Hi Nadia, Thanks for reaching out. Congratulations on opening up a new restaurant! For food photoshoot enquiries we ask those requests be sent to [email protected]. On this occasion, as Rachel is no longer living in Australia she would not be able to take this job on. I have also sent you an email directly. All the best with your shoot!
Colleen
Hi there, I’ve learned so much from you and your husband. Thank you! I have a random gear question. I really appreciate your advice.
Do you know if the M1 pro vs M1 max chip in MacBook Pro makes an impactful difference in photography workflow?
I’m looking to get a MacBook pro because I’m frustrated with the performance limitations of my Microsoft surface. I’m shooting tethered/work editing in captureone and adobe.
Rachel Korinek
Hey Colleen! I have the M1 Max chip and it makes a huge difference for video. I think if you’re using a RAW editor and Photoshop, you can use the M1 Pro chip. I got the Max because we needed to cut videos for courses and Youtube. I’ve always had a MacBook Pro and have loved it. I can’t speak for PC. But I do love the new Apple chips. Hope that’s helpful 🙂
Andi
Hi Rachel! This post is so super helpful! I just watched your YouTube video about lighting and it was amazing.
I have a question about laptops and monitors. I notice you had a BenQ. Do you tether to that and edit on it? Or Is there something else you edit on? I have been using a laptop for 6 years (gulp!) and I am in desperate need of a new setup for editing at home and tethering. I will probably get a new laptop for traveling and editing.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Thank you!
Andi
Rachel Korinek
I am so glad that you liked it Andi 🙂 As it’s just a monitor, it of course has to be plugged into a computer. I use a laptop and I love them. I always edit on my BenQ Monitor and I like to work from it at my desk due to the large screen. I tend to tether to either just the laptop or the monitor depending on the shoot. If it’s a quick one recipe, I will tether it to the laptop and if it’s a 3-day shoot, I’ll set up the monitor. Hope that helps!
Nina
Hi Rachel,
I remember you talking about where you mount your laptop on. Probably it was a video, but I just can’t remember… The only thing I do remember is that it’s a Canadian brand. Maybe you can help me out here.
Kind regards,
Nina
Christine Fitzgerald
Thank you so much for all your helpful tips, Rachel. I am working my way through The Art of Light at the moment and, for the first time, feel I am FINALLY beginning to understand light! You have an incredible talent for teaching – calm, unfussy and in simple terms. ‘Thank you’ once more.
Rachel Korinek
Thank you so much, Christine! I am so pleased to hear you’re enjoying the book. It’s a very exciting time when we are able to really grasp and explore lighting.
Div Acharya
Great Content…Adobe has a Photography plan .. It’s amazing comes with Lr & Ps
best
div
Johanna Annable
LOVE YOUR WORK AND HELPFUL FREEBIES, THANKS.
Rachel Korinek
Thanks so much Johanna!
BeatColor
I’m working as a real estate photographer at https://beatcolor.com/ about 7 years. I’m using Lightroom 2023, and I love it! The performance is way better, and there are so many cool advanced features. The user interface is much more intuitive, and the cloud integration is super smooth. Plus, it supports all the latest tech
Jim
Hi Rachel, just a curious question, I have always used flash as well, but wondered if you had tested any of the new high power continuous LED lights?