Drink photography for bars, cafes and juice counters

Cocktails: light from behind, shoot at eye level

Clear and colored drinks glow when light comes through them. Put the glass between the camera and a window (or a white wall lit by one) and shoot at eye level, level with the middle of the glass. Move a little left or right until the bright reflection on the glass slides off the edge.

Build the drink the way you serve it, then shoot within thirty seconds while the ice is still sharp and the garnish is fresh. If you want condensation, chill the glass first; spraying water on it looks fake up close. The Dark & Moody look suits most cocktails and spirit-forward drinks.

Coffee: overhead for art, 45° for everything else

Latte art reads best straight from above, as soon as it’s poured. Iced coffee and cold brew look better at 45° or eye level so you can see the layers and the ice. Keep saucers, spoons and sugar packets out unless they come with the drink. Bright & Airy is the natural fit for cafe drinks.

Smoothies, juices and boba

Thick, colorful drinks look great in front of a plain backdrop with nothing else around them. Fill to the line you actually serve, add the real topping or straw, and shoot at eye level. Color Pop puts the cup on a bold, plain color that makes the drink jump on Instagram and on delivery apps.

Beer and wine

Pour fresh, so the head is still there, and wipe drips off the glass. For wine, fill to your real pour, not a tasting pour. Note that some platforms restrict alcohol listings and photos in some states; check each app’s rules before you upload drink photos there.