Behind the Scenes: The Real Food Photography Process
Ever wonder what a professional food shoot looks like when the camera is off? Welcome to my Mumbai studio, where I turn happy messes into scroll-stopping content.
A quick glimpse into what goes into creating the final image. From setting up lights to the 'mess' of sprinkling cocoa powder, every step is part of the creative process for these Date Bites.
Yes, making a burger look this good can get a little messy. This behind the scenes clip shows the setup for a McCain burger shoot, getting that perfect sauce drip.
The real struggle behind the final output is a test of patience. Whether it's kneading dough or frying snacks, I am involved in every step to ensure the shot is authentic and perfect.
They say Maggi takes two minutes, but not in my studio. This reel shows the time and effort, from lighting to styling, that goes into getting that perfect noodle shot.
Bringing imagination to life for this Monster drink shoot. This involved painting a hand green and using special lighting to create an electrifying vibe that matches the brand's energy.
This is how our '30 days, 30 products' challenge began, with two friends sipping coffee and coming up with a crazy idea. This reel shows the journey from that idea to a full-fledged Nescafé product shoot.
When I don't have a hand model, the self-timer becomes my best friend. Here’s how I create a fun, picnic vibe for a snack shoot all by myself.
A quick tour of my workspace. This is my home studio in Mumbai, filled with props, backdrops, and all the gear I need to bring your product's story to life.
A look at the editing process for a festive drink shoot. After setting up the lights and props, I spend time on the laptop to get the colors and mood just right.
Let's do some festive photography. This video shows the process of styling different gift hampers for a Diwali-themed shoot, using props and lighting to create a warm, celebratory feel.
About Behind the Scenes: The Creative Mess
It is not magic; it is patience. Whether I am using Blu-Tack to hold a floating honey dipper in place or meticulously cleaning a sauce drip for the perfect burger shot, these moments of creative mess are where the real work happens. You are not just paying for an image; you are paying for the hours of trial, error, and technical planning that ensure your product looks as good as it tastes.
At my Mumbai home studio, I do not believe in over-polished, sterile environments. The best photos come from knowing how to handle the physical constraints of a table-top setup. When I did my '30 Days 30 Products' challenge, I learned that a perfect shot is 50 percent planning and 50 percent 'jugaad' (clever hacks).
My process involves a lot of trial. We decide the brand vibe first—whether that is a moody, festive aesthetic or a bright, clean e-commerce look. Then, I set up the lights, source the props, and get to the messy work of styling. Sometimes that means using fishing wire, sticky tack, or just my own two hands to get the angle right. My goal is to build trust with your customers by showing the product exactly as it is, with just the right amount of human touch—like a hand reaching for a snack or a splash in real-time. If you want your brand's social media to feel real rather than like a stock photo catalog, this is the environment where that story gets built.
Sakshi Lodha
Hi, I am Sakshi. I turn messy studio setups into clean, scroll-stopping food stories using a mix of DIY hacks and professional techniques. My home studio in Mumbai is where the magic happens—I love working with founders who care about their product as much as I do.
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