Food Photography & Food Writing: Admission 2025, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Food Writing is a nonfiction category of writing that focuses on the topic of food. It generally takes the form of creative nonfiction in memoirs and essays, but it can also include histories and scientific explanations. Food writing is topic-centered, and not considered a genre in itself.

Food photography is the art of capturing drool-worthy and mouthwatering images of foods and dishes, which can be used for promotional purposes and packaging. In addition to taking photographs, food photographers also work on the styling and presentation of dishes. On the other hand, Food Writing is a style of writing through which the qualities or characteristics of foods and dishes are conveyed interestingly. 

In this era of social media, you must have seen people sharing pictures of their food with captions. Slowly it became a trend and today social media is full of pages and posts related to food. People may be getting familiar with it through social media, but Food Photography and Food Writing have long been full-blown careers.

Food Photographers and Food Writers are often hired for food channels, advertisements, magazines, cookbooks, restaurant brochures, boards, websites, etc. This industry has evolved to such an extent that budding photographers are now specialising in food photography and the companies are seeking full-time food writers to promote their products. 

There is a great demand for good professionals in the field of food photography. Many hotels, chefs, and lifestyle channels hire food photographers frequently. You can start working as a freelancer or under any established photographer. If you are looking to make a career as a professional photographer, a basic photography course can help you to an extent. After this, you have to hone your skills through advanced courses, workshops, training, etc.

As visual content is so important on social media sites like Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, restaurants, food brands, and influencers need to have excellent food photography if they want to connect with their audience. Captivating food photographs are a useful tool for online recipe platforms and food bloggers to draw in and keep readers. Good food photography is in more demand as more people look to the internet for recipes and culinary inspiration. Click to read Career After Photography.

There is no strict condition to apply for a Food Photography and Food Writing course in India. These programs are majorly offered at certification and Diploma level, so, you are eligible for these courses after Class 10 or 12 from a recognised board.

There are four basic types of food writing: restaurant reviews; recipes; blogs and social media; and food memoirs and other prose.

• Restaurant Reviews are the first type of food writing that usually comes to mind. The writer eats at a restaurant, one or more times, and then writes a review of the food and service. Some reviews use star systems, although that differs between publications.
• Recipes are another common form of food writing. Recipes explain how to make a dish step by step. They often include an introduction or headnote that explains the recipe's origins, describes tips on making the recipe or entices the reader with a juicy description of the finished dish.
• Blogs and social media are another great platform for food writing. Anyone can get published by starting a blog or posting on social media. Both are creative and personal and can be the perfect way to practice writing and hone your voice while sharing your ideas and opinions. 
• The category of food memoir and other prose catches everything else in the food writing world. Memoirs are essays using food as a lens through which to view history (personal or otherwise).

Food photography courses has its own challenges and difficulties, especially for freshers. You need to understand that you are dealing with macro photography where you often shoot with high f-stop numbers to get subjects fully in focus. This leads to long exposure times when and also requires patience. 

So you have the food itself, then the dishes, textiles, props, surfaces, and any extras. Setting them all up to get a better picture can be a hard job. 

Candidates who want to make a mark in the field of Food Photography & Food Writing should be able to multi-task because in this field one is constantly tested to expand their boundaries and that too regularly. Some key skills that an individual should possess to be successful in this industry are:

You can capture food images at home to enhance your portfolio, or you can reach out to nearby businesses and offer to photograph their dishes for free to expand your collection. In the early stages of your career, providing some complimentary services is an excellent way to enrich that portfolio.

Craft an irresistible pitch. The success of your article hinges on these brief statements, so invest effort in perfecting them.

• Build depth into your writing.
• Capture interest with your beginning.
• Engage the senses.
• Focus on organization.
• Steer clear of clichés.
• Verify your information.
• Polish your writing.

Some of the renowned books on Food Writing are listed below along with the name of their authors.

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

Here's the unit-wise syllabus for the Certification in Food Photography program:

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

Hi, AAFT Noida, Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, National Institute of Design, Sir J.J Institute Of Applied Art, Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism, etc., are some top Photography college options in India. However, you can check out this link for more options.

Here are some colleges in India that offer Food Photography and Food Writing courses:

• ZICA Institute: A college in Indore that offers food photography and food writing courses.
• Light and Life Academy: A college in Ooty that offers food photography and food writing courses.
• Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration & Research: A college in Dehradun that offers food photography and food writing courses.
• M.S. Panwar Group of Institutions: A college in Solan that offers food photography and food writing courses.
• Brilliko Institute of Multimedia: A college in Ludhiana that offers food photography and food writing courses.
• Pixel Viilage Creator Academy: A college in Pune that offers food photography and food writing courses.

The graduates of Food Industry courses can find employment at the below job profiles:

• Food Photographer: Food photographers work with food stylists to create beautiful and enticing images of food for magazines, cookbooks, restaurant promotional materials, and websites.
• Food Critic: A food critic or a restaurant critic samples and reviews food. He/she visits different restaurants, orders a variety of dishes, and writes about their experience.
• Food Blogger: Food blogs are usually written by people who are passionate about the variety of recipes and cooking. They share every little thing related to recipes with their readers on their blog. 
• Food Journalist: Food journalism is about lifestyle, culture, cooking, and food. Food journalists write not only about the food they experience but also about the nutritional Science behind it. A good food journalist is well acquainted with the food industry and the restaurant business.
• Food Historian: Food history is a field that talks about the cultural, economic, environmental, and social impacts of history, food, and human nutrition.

Food Photographers can find work in several organizations including food websites, media houses, advertising agencies, etc. They may get up to INR 5000 to INR 50,000 for a day's shoot. The remuneration in this field depends on the work experience and talent of the graduate.

• Entry-Level Food Photographer: Average Annual Salary ranges between INR 2.1 LPA to 6.3 LPA.
• Mid-Level Food Photographer: Average Annual Salary ranges between INR 3.1 LPA to 5.5 LPA.
• Experienced/Senior Food Photographer: Average Annual Salary ranges between INR 7.2 LPA to 18 LPA.
• Freelance Food Photographer: Earnings can vary widely.

If done with right strategies, the passion and interests for sharing recipes can evolve into a lucrative career with growing earning scope. Also, a food blogger's earnings is not a one-size-fits-all scenario; it can differ based on page views, SEO knowledge, social media presence, and the blog's overall design and attraction.

However, An income of a food blogger cam vary between INR 45.00 to INR 262.50 per 1000 views, depending upon the factors mentioned above. 

The salary of a Food Photographer in India can range between INR 2.1 to 6.3 Lacs per year as entry-level professionals, which is INR 15,000 per month approx. 

Moreover, they can receive extra benifits like paid time off, vacation days, and company-sponsored insurance plans.

Here are some tips for good photography:

• Plating: Arrange food in an appealing way to make it look juicy and mouth-watering. 
• Lighting: Lighting is important for capturing appealing images. Soft light is the most common type of lighting used for food photography. Warm-toned lights with yellow or orange hues can create a cosy atmosphere and are well-suited for comfort foods and desserts. 
• Camera and lens: A DSLR camera with a range of settings is recommended. Most entry-level lenses are good enough, but you might want to opt for a fixed lens. 
• Props: Props can add visual interest and help tell the story you want to tell. 
  Negative space: Use negative space to balance the photo and identify the main focal point.

After completing your Food Photography & Food Writing course, you'll get:

• Certificate in advanced Product & Food Photography.

• Required skills and experience to start a career as a professional Food & Product Photographer.

• Complete Professional Portfolio in Capturing Products & Food.

• Opportunities of getting published.

• Commercial Assignment opportunities.