*This is a guest post*

If you are a food blogger, you probably already know that the pictures that you take of your recipes can have a major impact on the popularity of your blog. If you can take pictures that make your readers’ mouths water, you are sure to bring in and maintain a lot of traffic. Although it can take a lot of trial and error in order to get good at taking pictures of food, following these tips can help you take better pictures right away.

Don’t Use Your Flash

Although it might be a habit to turn your flash on, especially when you are taking pictures indoors, it is important not to use your flash if you want to take good pictures of food. The flash can make your food look washed-out, uneven and utterly unappealing.

A Steady Hand Isn’t Good Enough — Use a Tripod

Holding your camera in your hands might seem sufficient, but it can be very hard to keep a steady hand while taking an up-close shot of food. Therefore, it is worth it to invest in a digital camera and accessories that will help you take a stabilized picture. A tripod can be worth its weight in gold when it comes to taking food pictures, and they don’t even cost a lot. You can check out some photography websites like Snappit Digital Cameras and Accessories or even rig up your own homemade tripod if you want to.

Use the Macro Setting

If you have a point-and-shoot camera — instead of a more expensive DSLR model — try using the “Macro” setting on your camera when you are taking your food shots. This setting makes it possible to take closer shots of your dish, and it blurs out the background in a tasteful manner that really puts focus on the food.

Try a White Plate

Although you might be proud of your beautiful dishes that are in all sorts of gorgeous colors and patterns, they might not be right for taking pictures of food for your blog. You can experiment with these dishes once you gain a little more experience in food photography, but most people find that plain white plates and other dishes are best for beginners. They make your food really pop in the photo and can be much easier to photograph.

Don’t Forget the Props

Experienced food photographers know that you should always “stage” your photos for best results. This can mean simply folding up a pretty napkin or placing a piece of silverware near the plate, but it can also include using various placemats, table linens and more to create a beautiful background. There are lots of things that you can use to create a nice background — even scrapbook paper works nicely — and you don’t have to spend a fortune on them. Taking the time to set the stage for a nice photo can make the difference between a gorgeous picture and one that isn’t so appealing.

Author Bio: Joanna is a Brisbane resident who is currently studying photography herself, she writes blogs to inspire other beginner photographers.