ABOVE: Gwyneth Paltrow's Fudgy Chocolate Brownies taken from Notes From My Kitchen Table

Lighting

“Good lighting is essential for a good food photo,” says food stylist Jennifer Joyce, who contributes to BBC Good Food and runs classes at the esteemed Leith’s Cookery School in London. “Find the best possible place for natural light. Next to a large window or door is a good start.” Even if you‘re taking food photos on your mobile phone, a bit of natural light can work wonders. Food and prop stylist Laura Fyfe, who also has her own food blog, agrees: “Unless you're very nifty with lighting, your food is always going to look a million times better if you take the pictures in natural light.”

Food, beautiful food