Cookie Photography Made Simple: iPhone Tips for Stunning Cookie Photos.

Hi there, want to know the secret to my cookie photography?

If you're a cookie decorator and want to showcase your beautiful creations, well thought out photography can make all the difference.

While professional cameras have advanced features, iPhones are convenient and an everyday choice for content creation.

Whether I'm snapping pics of my cookie stamps and cutters, creating a new reel, post or story, consistency is key. Here's how I've managed to create a truly recognisable brand!

I'm still in love with my original Vanilla Cookie Recipe and it was the perfect subject for this shot!

These simple tips will help you get started and improve your cookie photography—no fancy gear required just simple, straight forward tips from one novice to another.

Skip ahead to:

• Lighting is everything

• Set up

• Storytelling

• Composition

• Capture the best angle

• Editing your perfect shot

  
  

Lighting is everything?

When I first started baking cookies and photographing them for my socials, I thought I needed all the fancy gizmos.... news flash I didn't, and I still don't.

I invested in a light box, light ring, tripod and an overhead phone mount.

Three of which now just take up space in my linen cupboard, right next to the treadmill I said I absolutely needed and would use every day.

Lighting plays a huge role in creating stunning cookie photos, and natural light is your best friend.

In my experience, natural light is the essential ingredient to making my cookies look great.

So, find a window or door that lets in plenty of sunlight and set up your shot nearby.

Depending on the time of day and the season, you might need to experiment a little to find the perfect spot for your cookies.

Personally, I photograph my cookies in a guest room with a large window that captures that gorgeous morning sunlight.

I have a shuttered blind on this window that I can control and filter the light as needed.

Pro tip: Make sure to turn off any overhead lights!

They can cast an unnatural yellow or white hue that doesn’t do your photos any favours.

If you want to step things up a notch, consider using a reflector.

If the sunlight’s a bit too harsh, you can soften it with a white curtain, thin sheet, or even parchment paper.

If your shadows end up too dark, you can bounce some light back onto the scene with a simple reflector – a foam board or plain white cardboard works wonders.

Never use your iPhone’s flash! It creates harsh, flat light that just doesn’t look good.

Hot Tip: To check for the best lighting, use your iPhone camera as your gauge.

A white surface should look white or cream at least.

If a white surface looks baby blue, find another natural light source.

The set up: Preparation is key

I recommend using a table for your setup. Something with enough room to interchange your scene and have things close at hand.

If you like to shoot with backdrops think about using binder clips to secure it—this keeps it neat and smooth.

Personally, I rarely use backdrops. I just don't like that full frontal angle and would probably only use it to photograph something of height i.e. a cookie stack for a recipe.

Storytelling: Focus on your brand.

The way you arrange your cookies and props can tell a powerful story

Think about what elements complement your brand.

I find simple, clean, textured plates, matte papers and boards work best as your base—avoid glossy surfaces that could distract from your beautiful cookies. (they interfere with your light source and can be frustrating to capture well)

Props don't need to be expensive. You will often see book pages or music sheets as backgrounds in my shots-all from the local Thrift shop!

Adding a few extras like a dash of ingredients, a ribbon, string or a feature utensil can enhance the shot and invite the viewer into your world, your brand and this gorgeous little cookie.

I'd like to say less is more but I'm an absolute fan of props and styling and I personally feel that you can really create a mood with some simple textures and well thought out props.

Style tip: Make sure everything serves the story without overwhelming the cookies

Composition: An invitation to your world

For Instagram cookie photos, a simple and effective tip is the "rule of thirds."

This means imagining your photo split into nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines.

To follow the rule, try placing your cookie (or cookies) along one of these lines or where the lines cross.

This makes the photo look more balanced and interesting, rather than putting everything in the middle.

For example, if you're taking a photo of a decorated cookie, try putting it to one side and leave some space on the other side. This adds a nice touch and makes the scene feel more natural.

To use the rule of thirds with your iPhone, you can turn on a grid in your camera settings.

Once the grid is on, it will appear in the Camera app when you take photos, helping you follow the rule of thirds and make your cookie shots more balanced.

Here's how:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.

   
   

2. Scroll down and tap on Camera.

   
   

3. In the Camera settings, find the option called Grid.

   
   

4. Toggle the Grid switch to the On position (the switch will turn green).

   
   

This will show you the lines on your screen, helping you position your cookies just right.

You don’t have to follow the rule exactly every time, but it’s a good guideline to make your cookie photos look better.

Next time you snap a shot, try placing your cookies off-centre and using the extra space to make the photo more interesting!

This is where your props come in. But don't go crazy, let space work for you.

Capture the best angle

In this gallery I've captured six shots from the same scene. I am not moving props around, I'm experimenting with angles.

Don’t be afraid to play around!

Your iPhone allows you to experiment with different angles without having to readjust an entire camera set up.

The point I am making here is that whilst it may take a little longer to plan and create your shoot, the content opportunities are endless.

The most common angle for food photography is the 45-degree “three-quarter angle,” but an overhead shot can also look fantastic, especially if you're showcasing a variety of decorated cookies.

Make sure to hold your phone steady while shooting to avoid blurry photos. Adjust your composition and try different angles to see what works best for your setup.

Always keep the focus on the cookies and ensure that your main subject is sharp and clear.

To use the focus function on your iPhone for close-up cookie photos, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Camera app and get your cookies in view.

   
   

2. Tap and hold your finger on the area of the screen where you want to focus, like the centre of your cookie or any detail you want to highlight.

   
   

3. Once you hold your finger there, you’ll see a yellow box appear around the focused area. Your iPhone will lock the focus on that spot.

   
   

This helps make sure your cookies look sharp and clear, especially when photographing intricate details like icing or texture!

Hot Tip: Shoot content Reels in the slow-motion function on your phone. You can always edit the speed when you're done, and it eliminates any shake or unsteady hands.

Use an overhead phone mount with a sturdy base. I have the iBolt Overhead Phone Mount and it's perfect for stationary overhead and angled shots.

Editing your perfect shot

In the famous words of the Spice Girls "Stop right now, thank you very much, I need somebody with a human touch."

No seriously, please stop!

If you are here because you want simple, straight forward tips on how to create beautiful, natural looking cookie photos then you need to walk away from this temptation.

If you're anything like me then consistency is key and that means I'm absolutely crazy/pedantic about everything being matchy, matchy and my Instagram Grid and Website photos are no exception to this.

iPhones have so many editing functions. There are light controls, colour controls and detail controls. 15 in total to choose from. In my experience, 15 opportunities to over craft and totally stuff up.

My go to every time is filters and I set them before I take my photo.

It's all I ever use, and I use the same filter "VIVID WARM" for every photo I take for my socials and website.

The vivid warm filter sits nicely with my vintage vibe with it's soft and warm glow.

Setting your filter before you shoot will show you your colour balance and whether your props are working for or against your cookie creations.

Why? Consistency, branding, aesthetic and because I like it!

Check out these examples of how the different filters on your iPhone can alter your shot.

Your cookie photography is about more than just taking pretty pictures—it’s about creating a

timeless story that resonates with your audience.

Whether you are styling with props, embracing soft, natural light, or giving your setup a touch of imperfection, every detail will help your cookies stand out while staying true to your brand.

A little window into you

"Through the lens of our cookie photography, we document our creative journey, sharing each step of our delicious adventure."

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more sweet inspiration and behind-the-scenes fun!

Thanks for stopping by to say Hi!

If you have enjoyed this BLOG please leave a comment below, share your own tips or what you'd like to see next.