Do you bring your own food stylist?

Usually, for restaurant shoots, the chef handles the plating as they know exactly how the dish should appear to customers. However, I am experienced in basic food styling to ensure the composition works for the camera. For larger commercial projects or advertising campaigns in Dundee, I can recommend professional food stylists who specialise in preparing long-lasting, camera-ready displays for extended studio sessions.

How long does a typical food shoot take?

A half-day session is typically four hours, which is sufficient for 6 to 10 dishes depending on the complexity of the styling and the number of angles required for each plate. Full-day sessions are better suited for large menu updates or when you also require lifestyle photography of the restaurant interior, staff portraits, and environmental shots of the kitchen in action.

Can you shoot on-site in small kitchens?

Yes, I am used to working in tight environments. I use compact, professional lighting equipment that can be set up in a corner of a dining room or a small section of a prep kitchen. I work around your team's schedule, often shooting during the quiet hours between lunch and dinner service to ensure the least possible interference with your customers and staff.

Who owns the copyright to the food images?

As the photographer, I retain the copyright, but I provide a comprehensive commercial license that allows you to use the images for all standard business purposes. This includes your website, social media, advertising, and printed marketing materials. There are no hidden fees or expiring licenses, giving you the freedom to use the assets indefinitely for your own brand promotion.

What lighting do you use for food?

I use a combination of portable flash and natural light depending on the brief. For an editorial look, I often use large softboxes to mimic window light, providing a natural and appetizing appearance. If the brand requires a more dramatic, high-contrast look, I use harder light sources and reflectors to pick up the textures and details of the ingredients and garnishes.

Dundee Food Photographer

Ross Nixon Photography provides high-end editorial food and beverage imagery for restaurants and hospitality brands across Dundee. We deliver sharp, authentic visuals designed to drive bookings and showcase culinary craftsmanship.

Dundee has seen a significant shift in its hospitality landscape, moving from traditional city-centre staples to a sophisticated scene of independent bistros and craft-led eateries. Getting the right imagery for your menu or marketing campaign is about more than just a camera; it requires an understanding of lighting, texture, and the specific requirements of the hospitality industry. I provide professional food photography in Dundee that avoids the artificial, over-processed look common in stock photography. I work on-site, using the natural atmosphere of your kitchen or dining room combined with precise lighting to create images that reflect the reality of your dishes. Whether you need assets for a new seasonal launch, updated web content, or high-profile social media campaigns, I deliver high-resolution, print-ready files that maintain brand consistency.

From £795 half-day

What's included

Every food photography commission in Dundee is handled with a focus on editorial quality and technical precision. A standard session includes a pre-shoot consultation where we define the visual brief, colour palette, and specific shots required for your output channels. I provide all necessary lighting equipment and modifiers to ensure consistent results, regardless of the ambient light available in your venue. During the session, I work closely with chefs and front-of-house staff to style dishes effectively without compromising the integrity of the food. Post-production is a critical part of the process; every selected image undergoes professional retouching to ensure colours are accurate, distracting elements are removed, and the final look is polished but realistic. Clients receive full commercial usage rights, allowing for unrestricted use across websites, delivery platforms like Deliveroo or Uber Eats, printed menus, and national press releases. Files are delivered via a secure digital gallery in both high-resolution and web-optimised formats for immediate use. This comprehensive approach ensures that your brand identity remains cohesive across all physical and digital touchpoints.

How it works

The process is designed to be efficient to minimise disruption to your daily operations. We start with a brief where we discuss your goals, the number of dishes, and the desired aesthetic—whether that is dark and moody or bright and airy. On the day of the shoot, I arrive early to set up and test lighting. We typically work through a shot list, starting with hero dishes before moving to interior shots or lifestyle photography featuring staff and patrons. I use tethered shooting where possible, allowing you to see the images on a screen as they are captured to ensure complete satisfaction with the composition. After the shoot, you will receive a proofing gallery to select your final images. Once chosen, these are edited and returned within an agreed timeframe, usually seven to ten business days. This structured workflow ensures clarity from the initial enquiry through to the delivery of the final assets.

Local detail

Dundee is currently one of the most interesting places in Scotland for food and drink photography. From the regeneration around the V&A and the Waterfront to the thriving independent scene on Perth Road and the emerging creative hub in the Blackness area, the city offers a diverse range of locations. I have worked with various local businesses, understanding the specific aesthetic requirements of venues ranging from the high-end polish needed for hotels near the Discovery to the more rustic, authentic vibe required by artisan bakeries and coffee roasters in the west end. The city's light can be challenging, particularly in older industrial buildings or compact basement bars common in the city centre. My experience navigating these varied environments allows me to produce high-quality work regardless of the venue's footprint. Being based nearby, I am familiar with the logistics of working in Dundee, from parking near the Caird Hall to navigating the pedestrianised zones around Murraygate. This local knowledge helps in planning efficient shoots that respect your time and the constraints of your physical space.

Questions people ask

Do you bring your own food stylist?: Usually, for restaurant shoots, the chef handles the plating as they know exactly how the dish should appear to customers. However, I am experienced in basic food styling to ensure the composition works for the camera. For larger commercial projects or advertising campaigns in Dundee, I can recommend professional food stylists who specialise in preparing long-lasting, camera-ready displays for extended studio sessions.
How long does a typical food shoot take?: A half-day session is typically four hours, which is sufficient for 6 to 10 dishes depending on the complexity of the styling and the number of angles required for each plate. Full-day sessions are better suited for large menu updates or when you also require lifestyle photography of the restaurant interior, staff portraits, and environmental shots of the kitchen in action.
Can you shoot on-site in small kitchens?: Yes, I am used to working in tight environments. I use compact, professional lighting equipment that can be set up in a corner of a dining room or a small section of a prep kitchen. I work around your team's schedule, often shooting during the quiet hours between lunch and dinner service to ensure the least possible interference with your customers and staff.
Who owns the copyright to the food images?: As the photographer, I retain the copyright, but I provide a comprehensive commercial license that allows you to use the images for all standard business purposes. This includes your website, social media, advertising, and printed marketing materials. There are no hidden fees or expiring licenses, giving you the freedom to use the assets indefinitely for your own brand promotion.
What lighting do you use for food?: I use a combination of portable flash and natural light depending on the brief. For an editorial look, I often use large softboxes to mimic window light, providing a natural and appetizing appearance. If the brand requires a more dramatic, high-contrast look, I use harder light sources and reflectors to pick up the textures and details of the ingredients and garnishes.

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