When Instagram was launched in 2010, it brought something new and unique to the world of social media. It became the first popular platform that was almost entirely about aesthetics. Because of this, photographers and lifestyle influencers from around the world were able to share and promote their work in a very digestible way.
While the rest of us were stuck on sepia-tone filters, the people who already knew quite about what makes a photo nice to look at were using Instagram to create a curated feed. Sometimes, when I scroll through my own Instagram account it feels like I should consider leaving it to the professionals.
This is especially true when I feel like sharing my dinner. I love to cook, and I’m pretty good at it, but making that food look as good as it tastes in a picture isn’t a skill I have managed just yet. These 15 food pics are another story. Some are shared by chefs who also happen to be amazing photographers, others are from foodies who captured a beautiful shot of their last dinner out and about.
Don’t take my word for it, keep reading for 15 food pictures that will actually make your mouth water.
1. Smoothie-licious
The foodie and photographer behind Anna Lindberg has a knack for making healthy eating look so dang good.
Scroll through her feed and it is perfectly clear that the creation and capturing of food is what this Instagram influencer does best. Literally every single picture looks so damn delicious. However, the one that really caught my eye was this cookies and cream smoothie bowl. The recipe includes protein powder, bananas, cherries, and a sandwich cookie crumbled on top. I’m totally going to have to recreate this one for breakfast.
2. Pinch of Yum
There is a good reason these food bloggers have made a name for themselves in the foot photography scene.
Everything the recipe creators and photographers behind Pinch of Yum post looks so delightful. They’ve become so well known for their food photography, they even train other food bloggers on their techniques with an online course and then help them become popular online. One of my favorite shots on their feed are these Korean-inspired tacos. Because, duh, tacos!
3. Linda, Linda, Linda
Dark and moody is the theme of this lifestyle influencer’s feed.
Although dark isn’t the standard for food photography, Linda Lomelino has set herself apart with her moody food photography. She has a style of her own and even the simplest photo of sliced oranges being juiced looks romantic and idyllic. While you’re browsing, don’t miss a chance to try out her Spiced Pear Cake in celebration of Autumn’s arrival in the next few weeks.
4. Not-So-Local
Beth Kirby rose to Instagram fame as the face behind Local Milk.
A recent re-brand using her name came with some changes to her aesthetic, as well. While her pictures tended towards dark in the past, she’s embracing muted colors these days and it is bringing new life to her food photography. She also admits that her move to Japan has changed the way she cooks, too, like her love of jammy eggs on Japanese rice in the mornings.
5. Twice as Nice
If one breakfast is delicious, two could take your morning to the next level.
Food photographer Michael Zee shares the breakfasts he shares with his partner, Mark. Some are cooked at home, others are eaten out and about in restaurants. One of my favorite shots is their side-by-side croissant sandwiches paired with OJ and lattes with adorable artwork in the milk foam. I feel like his feed would make for the perfect game of “can you spot the difference?”
6. Bright and Tasty
Whether she’s sharing a homecooked meal or eating brunch with her family, everything Trish Papadakos shares is beautiful.
Although she’s been quiet for well over a year, her 67.9 thousand followers are still loyal to her brand. For good reason, she has a knack for making her life look so idyllic. This hotcake is no exception, with nuts, coconuts, and yogurt fruit sauce on-top. It is the dusting of powdered sugar and sprinkling of edible flowers that truly make this shot.
7. I’ll Have What He’s Having
Marcus Nillson is the photographer behind popular Instagram feed @Pissinginthepunchbowl.
His feed is filled with a variety of creative shots from his travels all over the world. While he does an amazing job capturing each location, it is his food photography that caught my eye, of course. A picture captioned “Jungle Curry” was shot while steam was still wafting from the wok. This Thai-inspired dish is by chef and cookbook author Kris Yenbamroong of Night+Market.
8. I Need Food, Too
With a name like He Needs Food, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed with what photographer John B. had to share.
Traveling around the world, John B. of @heneedsfood captures what he sees and eats while he wanders. From street food in Mount Emei to Australian Brunch in Byron Bay, he has me daydreaming about doing my own food tourism someday soon. One of my favorite pictures he’s shared recently is steamed dumplings from South Lake Community Market in Wuhan, China.
9. 100% Drool-worthy
Everything Dennis The Prescott shares on his Instagram feed is homemade.
And everything he cooks is picture-perfect. Some of my favorite work is his sheet-pan meals. These are family-sized servings that are stylized and shot on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Take this Sunday supper, for example, loaded with different variations of “fancy toast.” I think I’d like to have one of each, starting with the brie and blackberry combo.
10. Eating Around the World
As a career photographer, Daniel Krieger is more than an Instagram influencer.
He travels around the world taking pictures of food. These photos don’t just end up on his Instagram, he also shoots for well-known publications like The New York Times. This simple shot is from a newer restaurant he shot in New York that serves Turkish cuisine. While this simple coffee and dessert look delicious, don’t miss the chance to swipe right and see more of his pictures.
11. Gluten-Free, Not Flavor Free
Seattle-based chef and foot photographer doesn’t skimp on flavor when she prepares her gluten-free foods.
Recently, she shared a picture and recipe of a variation of her favorite lunch to eat on repeat. It’s cold rice noodles, topped with a variety of vegetables and a tahini and garlic olive oil vinegarette. Later this month, Aran Goyoaga will be releasing her new cookbook Canelle et Vanille which will feature her favorite recipes for feeding friends and family.
12. Repeatable Recipes
Over 150 thousand followers can’t be wrong.
Julie Lee, the cook and photographer behind Julie’s Kitchen, has built a career out of cooking, shooting, and sharing her love of food on social media and her blog. Even though her pictures of colorful and well-styled, her recipes are down-to-earth and repeatable for most home chefs. This vegetarian Bahn Mi is totally going on my meal plan for next week.
13. Here’s Looking at You
Creative cooking makes this Instagram feed worth following.
This fun restaurant based in Koreatown in Los Angelos has been sharing shots of the creative dishes on their Instagram. Here in the midwest, I’m finding myself looking for excuses for another trip out to LA, with a stop at Here’s Looking at You at least once. This shot is a fried sea bream that was called on the most memorable dishes by Infatuation LA.
14. Food as Art
For Brittany Wright, food is her medium and photography is her art.
While many of the accounts I’ve shared so far are about capturing food before it is eaten, Brittany Wright of Wright Kitchen spends a lot of time using food to make art. She’s become well-known for colorful collages from a rainbow of fruits and vegetables and capturing ingredients in an artistic way as she is out and about shopping.
15. Capturing Life and Culinary Creations
Tamara Peterson is a lifestyle influencer and capturing food just happens to be a part of curating her lifestyle.
With 178 thousand followers, Tamara Peterson has built a brand on her beautiful shots of everyday life. Of course, her day-to-day seems particularly exceptional, including the food she eats. Following Tamara Peterson will mean seeing a lot of sponsored posts, but she is honestly so good at what she does that isn’t obnoxious at all.
