12 Tips & Ideas for Aesthetic Coffee Photography

Coffee photography is a term used to describe photos taken in coffee shops, or more broadly, taking a cup of coffee anywhere. This style of photography began and developed in the 2000s. 

Coffee photography is quite simple: It is very easy to have a beautiful photo; because the photographer does not need to be a professional photographer to be able to create a beautiful photo. Coffe lifestyle photography only requires the photographer to have a smartphone, a drink, and a coffee shop space. Just the above factors are enough to have great coffee photos.

In this article, we’ll explore 12 expert tips with creative ideas to help you craft visually stunning and engaging coffee photography that captures the warmth, aroma, beauty of every cup.

Order a beautiful drink

The first step to having a beautiful coffee photo must be a beautiful cup of coffee. No one wants to take a photo of an ugly or boring drink, so if you have an idea in mind, pay attention right from the time you ask the barista for the drink. 

Closer to capture details

What kind of coffee do you want to shoot? Is it an espresso, hot and strong? Or a large latte?

Do you like to see the swirls of coffee and milk blending together? A dash of cinnamon on a light, cloudy cappuccino foam? Or the way black coffee absorbs light to look so eye-catching?

Grab a lens or phone and capture these details with a series of close-up photos. A close-up shot of a cup of coffee is enough to make a great coffee photo.

Showcase the ingredients

How to take beautiful coffee photos? Let viewers know about different recipes by taking photos of the ingredients together.

If you drink coffee with milk, coconut milk, or chocolate, include them in the photo. You can even add other ingredients like cardamom, cinnamon, and coffee beans.

Shoot near the window (natural light)

If you have to remember anything when taking photos of coffee cups, it is definitely to take advantage of the light. Natural light is the most important tool for taking beautiful coffee photos. It’s the softest and most flattering light available, so use it to your advantage.

Try shooting near a window or door that has plenty of natural light. Remember that the darker the interior of the coffee shop, the moodier the lighting will look; on the other hand, a coffee shop with a white color scheme will reflect the light back onto your subject, resulting in smoother, more even lighting.

Shoot in the early morning or late afternoon

However, not all natural light is created equal. For example, if you shoot at noon, the light will be harsh and bright, causing the photo to be overexposed. In photography, the term “golden hour” is often used to refer to the best time to take outdoor photography and take advantage of natural sunlight. By shooting in the late afternoon or early morning (before 9 am and after 3 pm), you will get a soft light source, beautiful sunlight direction, creating long, soft, charming, and beautiful shadows. This is the ideal time to shoot.

Use supporting props

Props are an important tool to help you express your subject. Props, if used well, will highlight the photo, avoiding monotony and boredom. However, use them wisely because they can also be distracting and obstructive if you use too many or do not arrange them properly. Take a look at some of the props you already have to use to make your coffee stand out.

Ceramic Mugs

Don’t overlook simple ceramic coffee mugs. They may seem simple, but they work well for coffee photography.

Glasses with intricate patterns or designs are hard to pair with coffee because they can be distracting. Plain white ceramic will blend well with other props.

Bright, colorful props

Simple props are great for coffee photography. But feel free to work with something a little bolder and more edgy. If you have some brightly colored food, why not photograph your coffee against a bright backdrop?

Add some contrasting details to liven up your photo, but keep things as simple as possible. Geometric shapes and blocks of color can work beautifully together.

Of course, you don't have to limit yourself to just one frame. A newspaper also looks magical under lights. Let's try it!

Coffee grinder

A suggestion for you is an old coffee grinder can create a beautiful photo in a dark setting. Besides, the Moka pot is a great choice for modern settings with its clean, minimalist look. And if you can get your hands on a coffee maker, it can look really nice in coffee photography.

Use colors to complement the scene

Arranging coffee against a dark background is a good idea. Then, gather the appropriate props for the shoot - a coffee grinder, wooden spoons, coasters, and a box. The brown color will match the color of the coffee but you should choose these have darker colors.

Express your creativity with a combination of cinnamon and star anise, blue napkins or coasters, and maybe a few green leaves.

If you want to take more beautiful and professional coffee photos, use some cooler colors like blues, greens. They will add contrast to the warm color palette and make it look more balanced.

Coffee also looks pretty good in a “high-key” style. Especially if you have some roasted beans, you can even add a bold color background.

Combine with model

Ask a friend to go with you to hold a cup of coffee and take a photo to create a more creative photo. You don't need to focus on the model, instead, the model acts as a background to highlight your coffee cup photo. You can also use a certain part of the model’s body, such as a hand, to create a focal point in the photo.

Tell a simple story through a photo

How do you convey the feeling of a Saturday morning through a cup of coffee? Using natural light in the morning (or in a studio) and a flat composition is a great place to start. Maybe you can include a section of the window in the frame.

Convey a message like “I have a large cappuccino for breakfast”. This is easy. Display something with your coffee - a donut, a croissant, or maybe a bowl of cookies.

Create a beautiful coffee cup photo concept

There are many different ways to come up with coffee cup photo ideas. Think about it, what do you like about your coffee? Is it the fact that it gives you energy for the day? Or, on the contrary, do you drink coffee to relax and unwind?

Convey Energy

In the first example, imagine your coffee as a mental medicine. Or maybe it's something that wakes you up in the morning, leading you out of the maze of vague thoughts.

Show Relaxation

On the other hand, coffee can make you feel cozy and relaxed. Write down all the things that make you feel comfortable. Like sitting down with a good book, next to a delicious cup of coffee without having to rush or feel pressured about time to get the job done.

Try different angles

Shooting the same angle over and over can be boring and difficult to align when the sitting position doesn’t allow it. So, move around your subject and shoot from different angles. Two of the most used angles are 45 degrees and lying flat (0 degrees) or looking up (90 degrees).

45-degree angles are great for food and still life, as they add depth to your photo. With this angle, you can add the cafe scene to the image. 90-degree and 0-degree angles are also great, especially if you are only using a smartphone camera. The flat lay is easy to do and involves the proper use of props, while 45-degree shots require fewer props to master. Next time you shoot, try a bottom-up angle to bring more focus to the subject of the photo.

Don’t forget to post-process your photos

Editing and post-processing are some of the most important aspects of creating beautiful coffee-style photos. Because it will determine the overall tone and vibe of the image. Post-processing will largely determine the tone, emotions the viewer feels when looking at a photo. A photo with cold and dark tones represents a sad mood, while a bright tone will create a feeling of excitement or refreshment.

Conclusion

Aesthetic coffee photography is all about capturing the story, mood, and essence of a simple yet beloved ritual. By applying these 12 tips and ideas, you can elevate your coffee shots to reflect your unique style with creativity.