How to snap your supper like a pro: From pocket-sized lights to gimbals

Shopping | ES Best Home | Home & Garden | Home AccessoriesHow to snap your supper like a pro: From pocket-sized lights to gimbalsFood writer Amira Arasteh reveals the tech to invest in that will make every dish look as good as it tastes The Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.SHVETSAmira Arasteh1 minute agoSign up for our free weekly newsletter for hot deals, best buys and expert reviewsSign upI would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.There was a time when photographing your food meant a quick overhead snap and getting on with it. Taking the photo on Instagram’s camera and directly uploading to your story — oh, the horror.Now, whether you’re sharing a home-cooked recipe or documenting a restaurant meal, expectations have shifted — and so has the kit.Good food photography isn’t about turning dinner into a production, but it is about control: lighting, angles and stability. The right tools make the difference between a flat, shadowy plate and something that actually reflects how good it looked in real life. Because, there’s nothing worse than eating the most amazing meal... and your pictures failing to do it justice.That applies just as much at home as it does when you’re out. In restaurants, you’re often battling low lighting and tight tables, which is where compact clip-on lights or stabilisers come into their own. The key is subtlety: small tools that enhance your shot without disrupting the atmosphere (or your dining companions, cough, Jeremy King).Read MoreThe 2026 creator kit: A social media editor's essential tools for high-performing contentI was one of the few people to try Samsung’s new 10-inch Galaxy Z TriFold: Here’s what Brits are missingINIU Pocket Rocket P50 Review: The compact (and cute!) power bank I never leave home withoutAt home, the challenge is usually the opposite. Natural l...