food picture - cake, shrimp, orange juice, steak

© Michael Ray 2011

visit the food photography portfilio

Enter the food photography blog


Professional photography as a Career

dessert - © Michael Ray 2006
Ice Cream Pie - © Michael Ray 2006
wraps - © Michael Ray 2006 Steak - © Michael Ray 2006 Oatmeal - © Michael Ray 2006 shrimp salad - © Michael Ray 2006 Frency Toast - © Michael Ray 2006 Shrimp - © Michael Ray 2006
Ribs - © Michael Ray 2006
cheese cake - © Michael Ray 2006
asian wrap - © Michael Ray 2006 Strawberry tart - © Michael Ray 2006 Tuna steak - © Michael Ray 2006 Crapes - © Michael Ray 2006 Soup - © Michael Ray 2006 Waffles - © Michael Ray 2006

Food Photography Blog is a collection of articles intended to inform and educate the viewer regarding the craft, science, business, and art of food photography. The articles discuss various aspects of commercial and food photography including lighting, styling, Art Direction, specialty techniques, portfolios, and photography related philosophy in general. The articles are geared toward food bloggers, novice photography professionals, and advanced photographic hobbyists.

Food Photography Technique


Food Photography Case Studies


Food Photography Classes

Are you interested in leaning the "Art Of Food Photography"? Online Food Photography classes are coming soon! Learn more!



The Perfect Digital Food Photography Lens
I found a new DSLR food photography lens that I just love!

How to photograph food
How to photograph food is a general discussion of various aspects of the profession including the purpose of food photography.

Food photography for the food blogger part #1 and part #2

Digital Food Photography Tips (page #1)
Tips on digital food photography for the novice food photographer.

Digital Food Photography Tips (page 2)
Tips on digital food photography for the novice food photographer.

What makes a food photo look natural?
Have you ever wondered what it was that made one food photograph look real and another look fake? It's all in the details...

Michael Ray daily photography blog
See what it's like to be a professional photographer. Insights and comments on food photography and commercial photography

Food styling tricks for food photographers
A list of various little equipment items and techniques that relate to professional and food photography.

Studio Photography Special Effects - Food on a grill
A "show-and-tell" type article that demonstrates the lighting techniques that make the food photograph believable.

Learn Food Photography - How to photograph soup
Believe it or not, soup is one of the things that give even professional food photographers fits. Learn the tips, tricks, and techniques to master soup photography.

What's the best lens for food photography?
Food photographer Michael Ray gives his opoinion on the subject of lens selection for food photography.

How to handle reflections in food photography
Talks about the subject of reflections and glare as it relates for tabletop and food photographers.  Some of the subjects covered are “bad reflections” and “good highlights”. 

Capturing steam in food photography
Professional food photographer shows you his photographic tips, tricks, and techniques for capturing steam in food photography.

Food stylists info for food photographers
and food styling from a photographer's perspective is basically an article written to inform food stylists about the thought of an individual food photographer. 

My favorite food photography light source
My big 10 inch...! Big light, crisp shadow, very controllable.

Michael Ray’s recommended reading list
Books about food photography and photographic lighting. (with direct links to Amazon.com)

Food Photography F.A.Q.
A web page designed to educate potential clients about what to expect at a food shoot. There's a lot for you to learn there too.


Photography School Student Info - Please read before contacting me for an interview... :+)

Student questions
Food photography related questions and answers from student's e-mails over the years.

Are you a high school or college student doing a paper on food photography or a food photographer? If yes, you need to see this before you contact me...


Food Photography related books from Amazon.com


Food Photography Fruit splash (how-to)
Step-by-step discussion of how to do a "splash" photograph in water. Photographer talks about flash duration and timing.

Food Photography Case Study - Strawberry Cheesecake
How to photograph strawberry cheesecake (step by step with lighting diagrams)

The food Photography Process
Shown trough a series of forty photographs, shot during a typical food photography shoot. Each image has comments related to the thought process of the food photogapher.


Additional Food Photography related links

Food Photography portfolio - Portfolio of Michael Ray

Food Stylist Directory

Additional Photography related links

Print your photo magnet at discounted prices at PsPrint.com


General Photography (applicable to food photography)

Basic photographic lighting.
The fundamentals of photographic lighting.  Subjects discussed are quality vs. quantity, main light, fill light, light ratios, the color of light, and light source size.

Photographic lights and what they're used for
Articles that discusses all the different types of photographic lighting and their typical use in the world of professional photography.

Bigger is not always better?
An article that talks about the advantage of using smaller photographic lights (spot lights) instead of larger ones (umbrellas and soft boxes).

Morning light...
A short little article that points out the challenge of professional photographers to interpret words into photographic technique.

'True' fill light
Article about photographic lighting philosophy and how it applies to lighting techniques.  The author demonstrates how to create a true shadow less fill light.

Someting Special
What makes a good photograph good, or a good photographer better than the next guy? (All kinds of photography, not just food photography)

Marketing concepts for the commercial photographer.
talks about the basics of marketing and how it relates to the business of professional photography.

Art direction via email
An article that discusses the emerging trend of dealing with clients that do not attend the shoot.

How to become a professional photographer
An old, but still popular article that discusses the authors opinions on photography education and the possible career paths of wanna-be professionals.

How to become a better photographer
Suggestions on how to improve your skills as a novice or professional photographer. The basic premise is “observe, shoot analyze”.

How to choose an online food photography school
A list of things you should consider before you choose an online food photography school.

The photographic portfolio
The author's opinion on how to approach assembling a photographic portfolio. Trends, styles, and content are all discussed.

Making extra money
Make extra money on your food photography or food blog with Google Ads - How to boost your income with Google Adsense

Are you a photographer interested in SEO?

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About the Author:

Michael Ray is a professional commercial photographer specializing in food photography, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He enjoys sharing his knowledge about various photographic subjects, including all aspects of food photography and commercial photography in general. Feel Free to contact Michael with comments or suggestions.

Photography Articles - Food Photography Articles - Food Portfolio - Generalist Portfolio - Blog - - - Bio - Article about Michael Ray - Food Client List

Food Photography Classes

Are you interested in leaning the "Art Of Food Photography"? Online Food Photography classes are coming soon! Learn more!


Your comments are welcome. If there are any subjects that you would like an article written about, feel free to make a suggestion. You can also join the mailing list or contact Michael Ray if you wish, by clicking on the following link.

Michael Ray also welcomes you to visit his food photography portfolio web page. Michael is a nationally acclaimed, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania based, food photographer, noted for his beautiful lighting techniques. He routinely supplies clients with dramatically lit, custom food photographs for advertising, packaging, editorial, and cookbook projects. Ad agencies, graphic design firms, grocery stores, restaurants, catering companies, and food manufactures, have asked Michael to do his lighting magic for their food related projects both in his 3000 square-foot studio or on location in the client's facility.

Michael Ray’s clients include, Giant Eagle Markets , Bruegger’s Beagles,  Heinz, DelMonte, Food Lion, Kings Family Restaurants, Morton’s Steak House,  Church’s Chicken, Boston Market.

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Other repated links - Pittsburgh Photography - Pittsburgh Wedding Photography - Ohio Advertising Agency Directory - Pittsburgh Advertising Agency Directory - Professional Photography 101 - Online food photography school

© Michael Ray 2011