
Hello, friends! My name is Egemen Mustafa Şener, I am a food blogger, and today I want to tell you what food styling is and share some of my secrets when working with food.
What is Food Styling?
Food styling is the art of preparing food for photography, videography, or presentation in restaurants. This field focuses on making dishes as visually appealing as possible. Food styling includes choosing the right dishes and decorations, as well as presentation techniques that highlight the best qualities of ingredients and dishes.
Recommendations for Choosing Dishes and Ingredients by Mustafa Şener
I pay great attention to details when choosing dishes for my work, and I prefer using unique or antique items that can add a story and depth to the image. I use only bright vegetables and greens to add vibrant colors, and I carefully select textures to ensure that each ingredient looks its best, which helps create appetizing and attractive shots.
Food Photography Techniques by Şener Egemen Mustafa
Food photography begins with choosing the right lighting. Natural light is the preferred choice as it gently accentuates the textures and colors of the food, giving it a natural and appetizing look. It also helps create even lighting without harsh shadows or glares, which is particularly important in food photography.
Lighting plays a key role in creating the atmosphere and mood in a photograph. A well-lit dish looks fresher, more appetizing, and more attractive. When choosing the location and angle for the shoot, I take into account the direction of light to create the best conditions for photographing.
I, Mustafa Şener, also make an effort to emphasize the importance of shadows. By using shadows, I create volume and depth in the photo, making the image more realistic and appealing to the viewer. Shadows can highlight the shapes and textures of the ingredients, adding extra liveliness and interest.
Composition in Food Photography
In food photography composition, it’s important to pay attention to lines and shapes. A well-balanced composition creates harmony and aesthetic pleasure for the viewer. I strive to arrange the elements on the scene in a way that achieves optimal visual impact and creates an interesting and attractive image.

Food Styling Principles by Mustafa Şener
One of the key principles I follow is the focus on minimalism. “Less is more” when it comes to food presentation. This allows each element on the plate to “breathe” and be noticed, improving the visual perception and making the dish more attractive. Authenticity in food styling means highlighting the natural beauty and appeal of the ingredients without excessive processing or masking. Unlike heavily processed and artificial images, authentic food styling work strives to preserve and emphasize the natural textures, colors, and shapes of the ingredients.