Your menu photos were taken on a phone, the food looks dull, and every time you want to run an ad you have nothing to show. One properly planned photo and video session fixes that for weeks, as long as it’s planned before the camera comes out.
Before the shoot: what are we selling?
- 5 to 8 best-sellers or signature dishes
- The offer or new menu you’ll promote next month
- The dining room, bar, exterior and sign
- The chef or owner, if they’re happy to be on camera
We build this list together so shoot day isn’t spent making decisions.
When to shoot: quiet hours, good light
The best time is usually before lunch service or between lunch and dinner, when the room is calm and the kitchen can prepare dishes back to back. We bring our own lights, so we don’t depend on daylight, but we shoot the exterior in natural light.
One session, many outputs
A well-planned session usually gives you:
- Menu photos for your website, Google and delivery apps
- Several short Reels of cooking, plating and the room
- An intro video for ads
- Photos and clips for weeks of Stories and posts
Preparing food for the camera
Food for the camera is prepared a little differently from normal service: clean plates, balanced portions, fresh colour and sauce added at the last moment. We coordinate with the chef during the shoot, and nothing should differ from what guests receive. They should get what they saw in the photo.
Why a Newmarket-based team
Our office is in Newmarket, so there are no Toronto travel fees, and shoots are easy to schedule around your quiet hours. See video production in Newmarket.
Our restaurant work
See the photos and videos we made for Shomal Restaurant, North Grill, Thornhill Pub and Gilaneh on the restaurant marketing page, and in the Thornhill Pub project.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a shoot take?
It depends on the number of dishes and outputs; usually a few hours, planned so service isn’t disrupted.
Who provides the food?
Your kitchen prepares the dishes. They’re usually still fine to use after shooting.
Where can we use the photos?
Your website, Google profile, menus, delivery apps, social media and ads.
Related reading
Run a restaurant, café or bar in Toronto or Newmarket? See what we built for Shomal Restaurant, North Grill, Thornhill Pub and Gilaneh, and the results: restaurant marketing in Toronto. You can also read about Video production in Newmarket or book a review session.
