A Guide to Blogging Food

Blog food writing represents an intricate interweaving of gourmet interest in baking and photography with those of everyday blog writing. Most blogs focus on particular cuisines or dishes, and most of them employ pictures taken personally by the blogger themselves. However, food blogging is also an art and a science, and the presentation of the recipes is often as much a marketing tool as it is a reflection of good taste. The recipes themselves are, of course, posted to promote sales, but the visual attractiveness of the food on the page tends to influence people’s opinions, even if subconsciously. This is why it can be so helpful for food bloggers to hire a professional photographer to take shots of their food on a professional level.

Professional photography is one thing; using that photography to food blog writing is another. Foodies are always on the lookout for photographic tricks or techniques that show off their food at its best, and they will often consult magazines devoted to the subject for tips on photography, including the use of lighting and exposure. Food blogging may well benefit from a bit of extra advertising: people who enjoy looking at food will likely find your blog entries aesthetically pleasing to the eye, even if they don’t consciously understand the aesthetic aspects of photography as such. (We’re looking at you, Lenscrafters!) It is true that some blogs, like Delicious, tend to over-market their recipes in order to get people through the door, but food bloggers need to be aware that they do have to make a profit in order to keep the blogs up and running; just because the recipes look good does not mean they have to sell well.

If you have some special food-related recipe to share, and you’re interested in turning your blog into a full time career, there are several avenues you can explore. There are a number of networks and magazines dedicated exclusively to food, including Food Network, Inmate, Personal Home Magazine, Save the Book, Baking & Food Blog, and others; you can also find dedicated blogs on the Internet that discuss nothing but food. As with any other venue, be sure to check credentials and reputation before publishing your blog food-related. Food blogging can be a rewarding but complex endeavor.