There is pizza day; rootbeer float day; tea day; oatmeal day; vanilla milkshake day; chocolate milkshake day; and in February there is Pancake day.

Photographers may want to head out to their favorite restaurant to photograph pancakes or another dish on that food’s special day – or any other day!  But for photographers that raises the question of how you can make amazing photos of a special food on its special day in a crowded place under less than ideal circumstances.

Andrew Scrivani, food photographer for the New York Times and elsewhere, has some tips for improving your food photography whether you are using your DSLR or a mobile phone.  To check out more of Andrew’s work and learn about his approach you can follow his Instagram account and his CreativeLive classes.

Andrew’s tips are:

–  The most common mistakes I see on social media in regard to food pictures is that most people are trying to shoot in terrible light. If you want to really capture the luciousness of your creme brulee, do it during the day when you are sitting outrdoors or near a window. Daylight is the best friend of the food photographer. This is especially true with mobile phones because even the best mobile phone cameras will not capture the beauty of plated food in candlelight.

– Another issue related to light has to do with using the flash on food. Flashes on camera phones throw harsh, tungsten light and make food look flat and awful. Even if you are using your DSLR, it is really rude to your fellow diners to use flash! So simply stated, no flashes on food. Ever.

– Learn the camera you have. If you really want to shoot food or anything else well you need to understand your tools. Remember we mentioned dining by candlelight?  If you know your DSLR inside and out you will be able to capture beautiful food photos indoors.  If you can master whatever camera you have and learn how to get the results you want out that camera, then you’ll always have the skills that translate to any camera.

– Master the use of daylight techniques for food photography. Most food photography in the marketplace right now is either using or mimicing daylight. The general principle is to use or create a very large light source (i.e. the sun) then soften and shape that light to flatter your subject.  If you can’t sit outside, get a seat by a window.

– If you are interested in food photography in a serious way, learn about food. One of the great benefits that Andrew has have had in his career is an intimate knowledge of my subject matter.  Once you get to know more about food you will also get better sense of which food photographs the best and will know what to order when you are dining out and planning to take photos.

– Either learn how to use Photoshop or partner with someone who does. For the best photos in any situation, you will need to shoot RAW images and you will need post-production expertise to make those RAW files into usable images. This is an essential skill for photographers.

In addition to Andrew’s tips, I will add some of my own since I often dine out with my children and like to photograph them.  While the focus of these photos is not always food, I have learned some great ways of photographing scenes with food in crowded places.  These will result in more of a lifestyle feel to your food photos rather than a styled shoot, but they work well in crowded restaurants.

– Use what is on the table to create framing and depth.  Even cups of coffee and water can be used to frame your subject and add depth to your photos.

– Be creative in ways you hide clutter and other diners.  One technique is to use what you have on the table!  Cups again can come in handy as they are tall and look natural.  Using a birds-eye view is also a great way to keep focus squarely on the food you are photographing and not the busy restaurant you are in.  In a pinch, you can also hold up a menu or napkin to hide part of a scene, which can also add depth and the sense of peering in on the scene.

– Fill the frame!  Not only will getting close also help eliminate distractions, but it will also help you show off the details in plating or your food.  A close-up of your subject enjoying their favorite food can also make a fun image conveying your subject’s enjoyment of the food, but avoid any shots of your subject chewing or with an open mouth.

However you photograph your food, be sure to practice!  Just as with any photograph remember that editing is just as important as the photo itself.  If you just have to post your food photo right away consider using one of Adobe’s great free Photoshop or Lightroom mobile apps or the new VSCO X mobile subscription that will give you access to all VSCO presets with monthly enhancements.

Remember, you always want the food you are photographing to look delicious and if you are photographing in a crowded restaurant you may also want your image to tell a story as well.  Get out and practice – and have some treats along the way.