- Inconsistent lighting: Harsh kitchen fluorescents created yellow‑tinted images that made fresh ingredients look stale.
- Unappetizing composition: Dishes were shot from awkward angles that failed to highlight their best features.
- Cluttered backgrounds: Countertop mess, kitchen equipment, and random objects distracted from the food itself.
- Poor mobile display: Low‑resolution images pixelated on high‑density screens, undermining the café’s premium positioning.
Analytics revealed that mobile users accounted for 82% of menu page visits, yet the bounce rate on those pages was 58%. Customer feedback surveys indicated that 41% of diners found the online photos “unappealing” or “not representative” of the actual dishes. The café was losing potential orders because its visual content didn’t match the quality of its food.
The Solution: A Professional Food Photography Shoot
We partnered with the café to conduct a half‑day professional shoot focused on their eight signature dishes. The goal was to create a library of high‑quality, web‑optimized images that would work across their website, social media, and third‑party delivery platforms. The process included three key phases:
- Pre‑shoot planning: We analysed the café’s brand identity—coastal‑casual with a focus on local produce—and developed a styling brief that matched their Fremantle location.
- On‑site execution: Using natural light from the café’s large windows, we shot each dish with professional equipment, adjusting composition, props, and angles to maximise visual appeal.
- Post‑production optimization: Images were colour‑corrected, retouched, and exported in multiple sizes and formats (WebP with JPG fallbacks) to ensure fast loading without quality loss.
The shoot produced not only hero shots of each dish but also detail shots (steam rising, sauce drizzling), flat‑lays for social media, and environmental images that captured the café’s relaxed coastal vibe.
The Before & After Comparison
The transformation was dramatic. Below we break down the specific improvements between the old smartphone photos and the new professional images:
| Aspect | Before (Smartphone) | After (Professional) | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighting | Harsh, yellow fluorescent | Soft, natural window light | Food looks fresh, not artificial |
| Colour accuracy | Dull, oversaturated greens | True‑to‑life hues, vibrant but natural | Ingredients appear appetizing |
| Composition | Top‑down, cluttered | Angled to show depth, clean negative space | Draws eye to the hero dish |
| Styling & props | Random cutlery, napkins | Intentional props that match brand | Creates a cohesive story |
| Background | Messy kitchen counter | Clean wooden table, subtle texture | Eliminates distraction |
The professional shots immediately communicated quality and care. Where the old images made dishes look like afterthoughts, the new images made them look like works of art—worthy of the café’s premium pricing.
Measurable Results: The Numbers Speak
Within two months of updating the website and delivery platforms with the new photos, the café saw significant improvements across every key metric:
| Metric | Before Redesign | After Redesign | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dish clicks (menu page) | 320/week | 512/week | +60% |
| Average order value (online) | $24.50 | $29.90 | +22% |
| Online orders (weekly) | 145 | 215 | +48% |
| Bounce rate (menu page) | 58% | 32% | ‑45% |
| Social media engagement | 120 likes/post | 310 likes/post | +158% |
Customer perception also shifted dramatically. Post‑redesign surveys showed that 78% of diners said the new photos made them more likely to order a dish they hadn’t tried before, and 85% agreed that the images accurately represented the food they received. The café’s Google Maps rating improved from 4.2 to 4.6 stars as more customers left positive comments about the “beautiful presentation” matching the online photos.
Why This Worked for Perth Cafés
Perth’s café culture is intensely visual. From the coastal breeziness of Fremantle and Scarborough to the urban chic of Northbridge and Mount Lawley, customers expect imagery that reflects the local vibe. Professional food photography succeeds in this market because it addresses three specific Perth‑centric demands:
- Authenticity: Perth diners value genuine, locally‑sourced produce. Professional styling highlights ingredient quality without over‑editing, building trust.
- Mobile‑first consumption: With 80%+ of menu browsing happening on phones, images must be crisp, fast‑loading, and compelling on small screens.
- Social sharing: Instagram‑worthy photos get shared, extending reach organically. The café’s new images were reposted by local food bloggers, driving free exposure.
The shoot’s styling deliberately echoed the café’s Fremantle location—using natural light, rustic wooden surfaces, and casual plating that felt both premium and approachable. This local resonance made the photos feel authentic, not generic.
Key Takeaways for Other Venues
This case study demonstrates that professional food photography is one of the highest‑ROI investments a hospitality business can make. The core lessons for other Perth cafés and restaurants are:
- Ditch smartphone photos for key dishes: Even a small shoot focusing on your signature items can transform your online presence. (Learn more about the ROI of professional photography in our pillar article Eat With Your Eyes: The ROI of Professional Food Photography.)
- Optimize for performance: Beautiful photos must load quickly. Use modern formats like WebP and serve appropriately sized images to avoid slowing down your site. (See how image optimization impacts speed and SEO in Speed Kills (Competition): Why Fast Websites Get More Bookings.)
- Plan for multi‑platform use: Shoot with your website, social media, and delivery apps in mind to get maximum value from each session.
- Track the right metrics: Monitor dish clicks, bounce rate, and average order value to quantify the impact of visual upgrades.
Ready to Transform Your Visual Menu?
If your café or restaurant is still using smartphone photos, you’re missing out on orders, higher average spends, and better customer perception. The good news is that a professional food photography shoot doesn’t require a huge time investment—we can often complete a half‑day session that covers your key dishes and delivers a library of optimized images ready for all your digital channels.
Want to see what professional food photography could do for your venue? Explore our Perth food photography services or book a free visual audit. We’ll review your current imagery, identify the biggest opportunities, and provide a clear roadmap to increase your orders and average order value.