Must Have Gear for Food Photography

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Join me as I answer a viewer question all about the gear that I think is must-have, essential for great food photography.

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Paromi tea – Cinnamon Chai –

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The cameras I mentioned:
Canon 70D
Canon 5D Mark IV

Lenses:
50mm f1.8
the Canon EF version:
the Nikon FX version:

Find great refurbished cameras with a solid warranty:

Diffuser –

Manfrotto Tripod –
Grip ball head with two quick release plates – (screws into the camera so you can mount it to the tripod)

Any questions, feel free to reach out at [email protected]

50 Comments
  1. RASA BALI says

    Hi do you know any tripod that can do the same but cheaper yet good quality like manfrotto? thankyou!

  2. Taha Yogini says

    Your videos are so very helpful!! Thank you.. 🙂 and….The guy in the video is just so funny …

  3. Kate Jackson says

    Hey Joanie, I love your channel. Your content is always so spot on! I am curious about what camera and lens you are using to film this episode. I'm trying to decide between the Canon 80D and the Canon 5D Mark IV and I'm curious to know if I'm viewing a full frame video on the Mark IV or not. I'm looking for a good overall vlogging and shooting camera so I'm drawn to the 80D because of the screen mobility since I'm just getting into video… but I don't want to give up the top quality the Mark IV gives a person.

  4. Michael Ricks says

    As always, super interesting, super informative and fun! Thank you again.

  5. Kristin Paxton says

    Love people like this!! The fact that she is so willing (and confident) in sharing her expertise plus tips and tricks for others is such an admirable quality!!!

  6. Addicted 2 says

    Thanks so much for your time spent on producing all these informative videos. So far I have watched 3 and I thoroughly enjoy them. I will follow you on IG.

  7. Anne Thornton says

    This is so helpful. Thank you! How do you shoot your tutorials? Are they shot in Portrait mode?

  8. Jeanne Wagner says

    Oh yay I already have those things… my own versions of course. I have been contemplating trying some food photography. I notice you didn't list a constant light source though ( other than window light)…

  9. Jennifer Marie says

    this is one of the best videos I've watched! I'm starting my food channel and i don't want to spend a ton of money just yet – what would you say is the best tripod for using your dslr and you want to show when you are chopping your food, stirring, etc?

  10. Jennifer Marie says

    this is one of the best videos I've watched! I'm starting my food channel and i don't want to spend a ton of money just yet – what would you say is the best tripod for using your dslr and you want to show when you are chopping your food, stirring, etc?

  11. Jennifer Marie says

    this is one of the best videos I've watched! I'm starting my food channel and i don't want to spend a ton of money just yet – what would you say is the best tripod for using your dslr and you want to show when you are chopping your food, stirring, etc?

  12. Jennifer Marie says

    this is one of the best videos I've watched! I'm starting my food channel and i don't want to spend a ton of money just yet – what would you say is the best tripod for using your dslr and you want to show when you are chopping your food, stirring, etc?

  13. Jennifer Marie says

    this is one of the best videos I've watched! I'm starting my food channel and i don't want to spend a ton of money just yet – what would you say is the best tripod for using your dslr and you want to show when you are chopping your food, stirring, etc?

  14. emily hart says

    Hi love this video. Thank you. If I have two sides of my kitchen with wall to ceiling glass do I need two diffusers?

  15. Dave Dube says

    As a lifelong runner, that was a bad running analogy…

  16. Steve Spitler says

    What is that stand with the boom in the background?

  17. Eager Soul says

    Thank you , I love you with your beautiful smile and how you can simplify the "food photography" 🙈❤

  18. Desmond Davis says

    What camera did you use to film this youtube video?

  19. Vidula Pataskar says

    Hi Joanie , You are best teacher !!  I have Nicon D850 and I am looking for good macro lens for food photography. I am bit confused in different types of lenses which has G/VR/ED written on them. Could you please guide me the exact name of the lens.

  20. Jocy Tay says

    Joanie, I just love your page! Just by watching a few videos on your lense reviews and food photography hacks I’ve gained so much knowledge. I’m going to purchase a 50mm prime lense and get me a diffuser. Thank you for this and keep up the great content.

  21. olga cesmegi says

    What camera do you use for your videos?

  22. Gabriela Hebka says

    Hi Joanie, this is a bit OT, but can you share what microphone are you using for making the videos? Thanks a lot!

  23. Mali Hukac says

    i daresay i watched hundereds of helpfull tips on youtube about photography in general, food photography is my top interest, so i accidentaly ended up on your channel and WOW, i watched them ALL, in two nights while my baby was sleeping, and litteraly you changed the way how i look at photos, you litteraly opened my mind to a whole new world no weird Alladin reference here . You are an amazing instructor, and thank you so much for sharing all thoe shortcuts with us with. I litteraly make my tea and sit drinking tea/coffee with you in videos , feeling like chitchatting and having a blast, you are such a warm person!

  24. Christophe Luts says

    Which camera and lens do you use for filming the tutorials?
    The lighting for video also looks good, what kind of light do you use?

  25. Stella PorteoUs says

    please do a video on how to shoot with your iphone on a tripod for food pictures and taking pictures of yourself xx

  26. Shaaz Anaam says

    It can be hilarious to blow the buns with a blow torch off the burgers

  27. Himgiri Movies says

    Thank you so much… ❤

  28. Chris K says

    What was your creative background before going into food photography? I'm a full-time graphic designer and am starting out in photography as another creative outlet. I'm learning and now highly respecting the leap from one creative discipline into another.

  29. Nina R says

    I just happen about your channel, love your energy. I have a feeling I will be learning alot from you. My question is, is there a booming business for food photography?

  30. Jenn Lynn says

    Speaking of gear….what kind of equipment do you use for your youtube videos? I've got a blog and would love to do videos but there's no way my videos look as clean as your's. Do tell! <3

  31. Cloud Dancer says

    Your studio looks amazing like your kitchen…lol

  32. Navin Kharmai says

    Anyone else nervous about that tea next to the camera and laptop?!? 🙂 great channel!

  33. Mahogany_Hues says

    I love your channel!!!!!!! You explain things so well plus you’re adorable!

  34. Hattie101 says

    Cannon ALL the way!!!!!!

  35. Flor prada says

    You are an amazing teacher and very funny too!! Thank you for your videos.

  36. Nick Leibovitz says

    what device do you use to record video?

  37. voicelessnote says

    Wow! This is the first of your video of you that I see. I do not usually put comments, but this one deserves it big time. Really down to earth realistic comments and advice. You seam honest and authentic and it feels right. You are just great! Keep it up : )

  38. Sarah Le says

    Hi Joanie, this is super helpful and informative! One suggestion that would make this better is if you can turn the camera around and show us all the gear you're using. Visual would be awesome! I'd love to see your lighting set-up, your gear such as your diffuser and how it works, lenses, cameras, etc. Such as you do occasionally here (9:45). That would make this video 100x better! 🙂 Thank you for sharing! You're a natural teacher!

  39. Jesse Fallas says

    Would you recommend buying a camera for taking good pictures easily without having to work as hard using a phone? Ive been trying to take good pictures with my phone but its not easy, especially when the atmosphere isn't good.

  40. Jesse Fallas says

    Would you recommend buying a camera for taking good pictures easily without having to work as hard using a phone? Ive been trying to take good pictures with my phone but its not easy, especially when the atmosphere isn't good.

  41. Jillian Kayleigh says

    oh boy, I regret the tripod I bought. Whenever I want to make vertical photos, I literally CAN'T because the handles will be in the way of moving it vertical enough. Currently I'm saving up for a new lens, so after I've got that, I'll definitely look into a better tripod. I love alllllll your videos by the way, currently binge-watching them all 🙂

  42. Ian Sherwood says

    Do you have any lens recommendations for something to both shoot food and the environment at a restaurant

  43. Ami's Cooking says

    Chai is very good, especially Masala chai 😊

  44. Bryan Workman says

    part of being a food photographer is having food related phrases "shakin bacon" "hill of beans" lol i love it

  45. Robe Carb says

    Hello! I just signed up this past weekend and I love first the beautiful style you have for food and then all the great detail you explain… I now feel better about taking some pictures of my own food, I could not afford to hire a photographer and I just realized I actually have a decent camera, the Canon EOS 80D, so I just purchased the 50ml lens you suggested and reflectors and a remote control for the camera. I just did not see a link for the c stand you use, is there a way you could share that? Or maybe it doesn't mutter, any kind will do, but they are pricy! Thank you for what you do with this great channel you made and for sharing, God bless!

  46. david neville says

    Just my 2 cents on gear for product/food.
    The order of priority I would advise someone new to the subject to invest first.
    1) Lighting. Whether you use daylight, artificial continuous or strobe. Get good diffusers. The ability to turn hard light to soft makes a huge difference for any camera make or model.
    2) Don't become gear obsessed. Today's entry level camera's have sharp sensors. Often the issue is that the provided kit lens is lesser quality than the sensor. A good camera that is upgraded with a better second hand lens can produce more overall gains to your images without spending thousands on top-of-the-line gear.
    3) Tripod. A must have. A good quality entry level tripod can be hacked better than a cheaper tripod that on paper has more features. (E.G You can take the manfrotto vertical bar out and invert them for flat lays. However cheaper tripods with horizontal bars for flat lays etc can become loose and unlevel quickly after purchasing.)
    4) Good editor software. In the beginning, stick to your camera's fine Jpegs. Almost all camera's don't apply their innate colour science/space to RAW files. Stick to jpeg to start and basic editing. Work your way up to RAW files. Raw files tend to look flatter straight out of camera, but have more data. However that extra data doesn't mean much until you know how to bring the details out.
    5) Learn your camera system well. Once you understand it inside out, rather than use aperture or point of focus, become very knowledgeable on your systems zone focusing. Using aperture alone will create various levels of Bokeh, but using zone focusing gives you more control on keeping the subject sharp, getting other elements at reasonable sharpness and graduating to bokeh. When you start using wide open apertures you only have what is in focus, and what is not. There is very little in between. Zone focusing gives more control over sharp-reasonably sharp-soft focus-bokeh. It is a good habit to get into early.
    To drill it in..the very best camera in the world can't make a subject that is in poor lighting better. The very best camera can't remove camera shake. The very best camera doesn't know what it shooting, editing is what allows you highlight what you want to showcase. The very best camera can't remove bokeh that went too far and didn't get enough of the subject in focus.

  47. Randy T says

    What stand do you use for the diffuser?

  48. Livin' Well with Alisa says

    I have recently purchased a full frame camera and wondered if a 50mm lense is the best for me to start with or should I be using an 85mm to get the same types of pic as a 50 mm on a crop? It just seems that I can't get as close as I did with a 50mm on a full frame as I could with the crop. Am I missing something?

  49. Aniela Williams says

    This was really helpful. I make cakes and I see so many cakers that have awesome pictures and post in IG and mine are so bad that i don’t ever post them. I have bad lighting. No real natural light. What can I do to make them bright and professional looking. Also how do you do those quick sped up videos that I see when someone is making something. It looks so professional that i don’t know if it’s from a camera or phone. Help!😩

  50. Dani Khalil says

    Amazing Channel

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