Academic Catalogs

PHOT A108: Smartphone Food Photography

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 02/11/2026
Top Code 101200 - Applied Photography (CTE)
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 108
Total Student Learning Hours 162
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

This course teaches students the art and practice of food photography using smartphones. Students will learn how to shoot food with natural and artificial lighting, apply food styling basics, and develop culinary storytelling techniques that capture cooking processes, café culture, and dining experiences. Editing skills will be emphasized to enhance color, texture, and visual appeal while avoiding over-processing. The course concludes with practical applications in influencer marketing, exploring collaborations with restaurants, chefs, and brands, along with legal and ethical considerations in sponsored food content. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Students will demonstrate ability to create food photographs oriented to social media, using lighting, food styling, image composition and smartphone technology.
  2. Create culinary storytelling content for social media and digital platforms.
  3. Edit food images using mobile tools to highlight texture, freshness, and flavor.
  4. Produce a professional food photography campaign portfolio.

Course Objectives

  • Teaching students the art and practice of food photography using smartphones. Students will learn how to shoot food with natural and artificial lighting, apply food styling basics, and develop culinary storytelling techniques that capture cooking processes, café culture, and dining experiences. Editing skills will be emphasized to enhance color, texture, and visual appeal while avoiding over-processing. The course concludes with practical applications in influencer marketing, exploring collaborations with restaurants, chefs, and brands, along with legal and ethical considerations in sponsored food content.

Lecture Content

Unit 1: Smartphone Photography for Food
Week 1 – Introduction to Food Photography with Smartphones

  • Course overview and goals.
  • Food photography history and trends.
  • First food shot (before instruction).

Week 2 – Angles & Perspectives

  • Overhead, 45-degree, eye-level shots.
  • Choosing angles for different food types.
  • Multi-angle food photography assignment.

Week 3 – Lighting Setups I: Natural Window Light

  • Using diffusers, reflectors, and backgrounds.
  • Food photography with window light.

Week 4 – Lighting Setups II: Artificial Light

  • Intro to softboxes, LED panels, ring lights.
  • Controlling shadows and highlights.
  • Artificial lighting food shoot.

Week 5 – Food Styling Basics

  • Plating, props, textures, and composition.
  • Creating appetizing setups.
  • Styled flat lay shoot.

Unit 2: Culinary Storytelling – From Kitchen to Content
Week 6 – Capturing Cooking Processes

  • Action shots, step-by-step sequences.
  • Photograph a cooking demo.

Week 7 – Café Culture & Dining Experiences

  • Ambience, décor, candid shots of dining.
  • Café/restaurant photo session.

Week 8 – Narrative Flow in Posts & Reels

  • Storyboarding visual narratives.
  • Creating reels that capture process-to-plate.
  • Reel production exercise.

Week 9 – Midterm Project: Culinary Storytelling Portfolio

  • Students submit a 6–8 image series or 2 reels capturing a food narrative.
  • Group critique & feedback.

Unit 3: Editing for Flavor – Mobile Tools
Week 10 – Mobile Editing Apps I: Lightroom Mobile & Snapseed

  • Correcting exposure, contrast, and color.
  • Enhancing textures and highlights.
  • Edit cooking process images.

Week 11 – Mobile Editing Apps II: VSCO & Advanced Techniques

  • Color grading for mood/brand identity.
  • Enhancing vibrancy while preserving realism.
  • Edit café/dining experience photos.

Week 12 – Avoiding Over-Processing

  • Identifying “fake” food looks.
  • Editing for authenticity and appetite appeal.
  • Before/after critique workshop.

Unit 4: Influencer Marketing in the Food Industry
Week 13 – Collaborating with Restaurants & Chefs

  • Building relationships, pitching ideas.
  • Case studies of successful collabs.
  • Drafting a collaboration proposal.

Week 14 – Sponsored Content: Legal & Ethical Issues

  • Disclosure requirements, FTC guidelines.
  • Balancing creativity and advertising.
  • Sponsored content mock-up.

Week 15 – Final Project Development Workshop

  • One-on-one consultation for final project.
  • Sequencing, editing, and branding consistency.

Week 16 – Final Portfolio Presentation & Critique

  • Students present a 10–12 image portfolio or 3–4 reels with food narrative + influencer strategy.
  • Group critique and course reflection.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Instructional methods will include: lecture, demonstrations, class discussions, video demonstrations and student presentations.

Reading Assignments

Students will read approximately 1 hour per week a current periodical or instructor provided information.

Writing Assignments

Students will research approximately 1 hour per week of composition, food trends and storytelling ideas for their project and provide proposals for projects.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend 4 hours per week researching current trends of lighting styles, and prepare styled food for photo sessions.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Projects (Individual/Group)
  • Problem Solving Exercises
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking will be engaged in the process of producing, and photographing styled food  for their projects demonstrating considerations and decision making in regards to food photography trends, lighting, editing and styling.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will produce a project mood board or file folder containing concept statements, design research, and collected reference material for all projects.

Resources Subscreen

  • Other: . . ().

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • Photographic technology/commercial photography: Any bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.
  • Photography: Master’s degree in photography, fine arts, or art OR bachelor’s degree in any of the above AND master’s degree in art history or humanities OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.