Say Cheese (or Cheesecake)! Tips for Taking Great Food Photos for Your Recipe

A great recipe is more than just ingredients and instructions—it’s a memory, a moment, and a story. At Our Recipe Tree, we believe that photos bring those stories to life. Whether it’s a picture of your famous lasagna or your uncle proudly holding up his secret-recipe ribs, these snapshots make your recipe truly come alive.

And guess what? You don’t need a fancy camera or a professional studio. All you need is your cellphone, a little creativity, and a few simple tips.

📸 Perfect Size for Our Recipe Tree Book Format
When you upload photos to Our Recipe Tree, the ideal size for our print book format is 425x325 pixels. But don’t worry—you don’t have to resize them yourself. Just aim for clear, well-lit shots that can be cropped nicely into that frame.

👩‍🍳 Include the Cook!
We love a good food pic, but we really love when the person who made the dish is in the photo. Capture Grandma holding her pie, your daughter stirring the pot, or Dad slicing the roast. These images are powerful—especially years down the road when these shared meals become treasured memories.

🖼️ Up to 4 Photos? Get Creative!
You can upload up to four photos per recipe, so don’t be shy! Here are some ideas to mix things up:

• A shot of the finished dish
• A photo of the cook in action
• A family member tasting it
• A handwritten recipe card next to the dish

This helps tell the whole story, from stovetop to table.

🌟 Tips for Great Cellphone Photos
1. Use Natural Light
Daylight is your best friend. Set the dish near a window or shoot outdoors in the shade. Avoid harsh overhead lights or your phone’s flash—they can make food look flat or unappetizing.

2. Keep the Background Simple
Let the dish shine! Use a clean table, a wooden board, or even a neutral dish towel. Cluttered backgrounds distract from the star of the show: your food.

3. Get the Angle Right
Top-down shots work well for flat dishes (like cookies or casseroles), while a 45° angle is perfect for plated meals with height (like burgers or cakes). Try a few different angles and pick your favorite!

4. Focus and Tap
Before snapping, tap your screen on the food to focus the shot. This helps sharpen the details and avoid blurry images.

5. Add a Human Touch
A hand holding a spoon, someone serving up a slice, or smiling faces around the table—it all adds warmth and life to your food photos.

6. Edit Lightly
A little editing goes a long way. Increase brightness, tweak contrast, or crop to highlight your dish. Most phones have built-in editing tools that are simple and effective.

💡 One Last Tip: Tell a Story
Each recipe on Our Recipe Tree is a memory in the making. Let your photos support that story. A beautiful pie is nice. A beautiful pie with your mom laughing beside it? That’s a memory your family will treasure forever.

So grab your phone, whip up something delicious, and don’t forget to smile for the camera. Your legacy is cooking—and now, it’s picture perfect.

🧁 Start uploading your food photos today at Our Recipe Tree!

#FoodPhotographyTips, #OurRecipeTree, #RecipeLegacy, #FoodMemories, #CookingTogether, #FamilyRecipes, #CaptureTheMoment, #CellphonePhotography, #KitchenStories, #PreserveTraditions, #FoodWithLove, #SnapAndShare

Jill Kanwischer, retired in 2021 after 30 years as Administrative Assistant to the Fire Chief in Windsor, Ontario. She now volunteers at the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, where she organizes volunteers and helps wherever needed—in the kitchen, food bank, office, at fundraisers or behind the scenes. Known for her hands-on spirit, Jill finds joy in supporting others and building community. A proud member of the Our Recipe Tree team, she also enjoys baking and sharing recipes with friends and family.