How to Get Photos on foodgawker From Day 1
For food bloggers, getting photos on foodgawker is a big deal. It can drive traffic to your site, and it can also provide a sense of pride and accomplishment. It's that little 'pat on the back,' that we don't always get, as we often work alone. But for some, it is a difficult task. Especially for newbie photographers and bloggers, who are still learning about white balance, exposure, and composition.
So how do you get photos on foodgawker?
Well, first of all you must follow their guidelines. These are the specific rules and criteria for photo submissions and approvals. They provide a very comprehensive list with examples to help you achieve an approval.
From there, it is all about your photo.
However, there are things you can do to help gain that photo approval sooner rather than later. These are the steps I have taken to get my photos approved from day 1. While I cannot guarantee it will work for you, these tips should at least help you on your way.
Steps I took to get photos on foodgawker:
The first thing I did was to study the foodgawker site. I noted the similarities that make these compelling photos so wonderful. And, I used these photos as inspiration, much in the same way you may use Instagram or Pinterest photos for inspiration.
I paid attention to the proper lighting and exposure. foodgawker only accepts photos that have proper white balance and exposure. Plus, they have a lot of different people who review the photos. This means that one person's note may not be the same as the next person.
I read a lot of these "How to get photos accepted to foodgawker" articles. Why? Because everyone has had their own experiences, and can help provide their own useful tips.
While it is not a hard and fast rule, by studying the photos and reading the articles, I also found that many of the photos show the majority of a plate or bowl of food. This means that not all sides of a dish have been cut off. Often, only one or two sides at most will be cutoff, and the rest of the plate can be seen. This also represents that the photo is often taken from a bit further back, rather than super up close. This helps tell a story, which is where composition comes into play.
Now let's look at the first photo I submitted, of my Brussels Sprout Soup.
This photo was also the very first one that I used using my new DSLR camera, so I was very proud of it. However, it was declined. The comment received was "low lighting and/or underexposed." Now, there could have been more wrong with this photo, but the only thing I could do was adjust based on the comments received. So, I went back to Lightroom, and made some minor adjustments to fix the exposure. In my eyes, what I fixed was far too bright, however, I had to remember that my monitor is not perfectly calibrated. So, I would increase exposure just a small amount, and re-submit. Then I would wait for further feedback. This was my new photo. Let's look at them side by side. As you can see, when side by side the picture on the left is just slightly darker than the new picture on the right. The one on the right was accepted.
What did I do next?
A happy dance! Yay, my photo was accepted to foodgawker! But the next question in my mind, of course was, how do I continue to get photos on foodgawker?
Well, for me, I thought the next thing to do was to use my approved photo as a template.
Of course, I was not going to shoot every photo the same. There would be different colors and composition. But, I could continue to ensure I applied the feedback from the first photo to all of my others. Remember how I said I thought my adjusted photo felt a bit bright? Well, I continued on that path.
I ensured that I edited my photos using the exact same monitor and calibration.
I checked the exposure when I was done editing my photos. On that same monitor, did the picture look slightly too bright to me, or did I need to make an adjustment?
This is the second photo accepted.
It was for my Keto Pound Cake French Toast. Side by side, you can see the original photo I took, and then adjustments I made before submitting to foodgawker. I struggled with this one, because it was my first 'pour' shot. This meant I had to adjust the settings on my camera to capture that syrup pour, which would affect the exposure. Of course, one of the other things I struggled with in this photo was the white balance. For this photo, I used natural light. In my house, when I shoot with natural light it tends to produce a cooler temperature of light.
How did I fix this?
In Lightroom, you have the option of changing the background you are viewing your photos with. By right clicking on the background, next to the photo, you have an option of what color to view the photo on. I always choose a white background. This is because it helps me find the most accurate white balance, by comparing it to a true, calibrated white. That said, sometimes you don't have white in your photo, so it may be more difficult. In these cases, it is best to rely on the histogram to see where the elements and exposure fall in the photo. This is located on the upper right-hand side of the screen in Lightroom, as shown in the photo above. For this photo, I matched the white balance to the milk, and not the eggs. This is because the eggs are an off-white. The milk was a truer white. Now, truth be told, when I look back at this photo, it isn't one I would expect to be approved. My photos have far improved since then. But, it was accepted by them. As have all of my other submissions.
So, those are the steps I take to get photos on foodgawker!
I use each approved photo as a template, and I always try to edit using the same conditions. So, if you are editing on a different computer, be sure you have some approved photos to compare to on that device you are using. I am just now getting ready to start submitting darker food photography to foodgawker, which may require some new methods. In the meantime, I hope this helps you. I can't wait to see your photos up on foodgawker!
Did you enjoy this article on how to Get Photos on foodgawker Day 1? Let me know what you thought by leaving me a comment below. You can also follow me on Instagram and use the hashtag #elizabethdworkinphotography whenever you want to share something you think I'll like. I love hearing about how you're doing and seeing your creations!