The Power of Visual Selling

Here's a stat that should make you pick up your phone right now: menu items with photos get 30% more orders than items without.

In the scroll-happy world of food delivery apps, you have about 2 seconds to grab attention. Great photos do that work for you.

Why Most Restaurant Photos Fail

We've reviewed thousands of menu photos. Here's what goes wrong:

1. Poor Lighting

Fluorescent kitchen lighting makes food look gray and unappetizing. Natural light or proper photography lighting makes food pop.

2. Wrong Angles

Overhead shots work for some dishes (bowls, pizzas). Eye-level works for others (burgers, sandwiches). Using the wrong angle kills appetite appeal.

3. Messy Presentation

A little drip or crumb looks authentic in person. On a 2-inch thumbnail, it looks sloppy.

4. Busy Backgrounds

Cluttered backgrounds distract from the food. Simple, clean surfaces win.

5. Inconsistent Style

When each photo looks different, your menu feels chaotic. Consistency builds trust.

DIY Photo Setup ($50 Budget)

You don't need a professional photographer. Here's a setup that works:

Equipment

Your smartphone (iPhone or recent Android works fine)

White foam boards ($10 for a pack)—for reflecting light

Natural light source—a window works perfectly

Simple backdrop—white paper, wood cutting board, or clean marble

The Process

Set up near a large window (but not in direct sunlight)

Place foam board opposite the window to fill in shadows

Use a plain background that doesn't compete with the food

Take photos during daylight hours for best results

Shoot from multiple angles and pick the best

Editing

Use free apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile:

Increase brightness slightly

Boost saturation by 10-15%

Crop to center the food

Ensure consistent color temperature across all photos

Platform-Specific Tips

DoorDash

Minimum 1200x800 pixels

Square or 4:3 ratio works best

Hero image is crucial—it's what shows in search

UberEats

1920x1080 recommended

Supports cover photos and category headers

Use lifestyle shots for headers

Grubhub

1600x1200 minimum

Clean backgrounds preferred

They have strict quality guidelines

The ROI of Good Photos

Let's do the math:

Average restaurant does 500 delivery orders/month

30% increase = 150 more orders

Average order value: $30

Additional revenue: $4,500/month

Even if you hire a professional photographer for $500, that's a 9x return in the first month alone.

Action Steps

Audit your current photos. Look at them on your phone as a customer would. Be honest.

Identify your top 10 sellers. These are priority for new photos.

Schedule a photo session. Block 2-3 hours on a sunny day.

Update platform listings. Don't forget to update all platforms.

Track results. Compare order rates before and after.

Good photos are the easiest win in delivery optimization. Don't leave this money on the table.

Menu Photography That Sells: How to Increase Orders by 30% with Better Photos