SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION
FOR RESTAURANTS AND OTHER CULINARY BRANDS IN NYC
HOW IT WORKS
DISCOVERY CALL
My goal is for you to maximize the value of your content shoots. That's why I believe it's crucial for us to have a call where we can establish a foundation for our collaboration and get to know each other better. During this call, we'll discuss any specific requirements and establish clear expectations for both parties. If you haven't worked with me before, I'll provide you with an overview of my approach and ensure that everything is well understood.
In my experience when working with a brand for the first time, the best way to approach a commitment to a full year is to do a paid trial shoot with no strings attached. If we are still BOTH happy and want to start the plan after the trial, you'll have the option to use the payment for the first shoot toward your yearly balance and the shoot we did can be then regarded as the first shoot of your plan. For example, let's assume we do a paid trial for $2000 and we decide to start a plan for $500/m x 12 months. If you'd like to make the first shoot part of the plan, the amount you paid already ($2000) will go towards your total balance and your first 4 months (4 x $500 = $2000) will come at no additional charge.
BOOKING YOUR SHOOT
It's advisable to schedule your photo shoot as soon as you can, to have more flexibility in selecting a preferred date. After you've made your booking, you'll get an email or a calendar invitation containing all the relevant information about the shoot. Please review everything carefully and make any necessary modifications.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SHOOT - THE SHOT LIST
A shot list is a basic inventory of all the content (photographs or videos) that you wish to capture during our shoot. It doesn't need to be overly intricate or detailed and it typically comprises a specific set of shots, visual references, and additional particulars such as camera angles or desired moods. As the brand owner, you understand your brand and the narrative you want to tell, and should take these factors into consideration when creating the shot list. While I am happy to provide feedback, the responsibility of creating the shot list lies with your marketing team.
The shot list is critical in ensuring that we are on the same page. It should include the essential elements that your brand requires to capture the audience's attention and convey your vision, values, and other brand-specific features in the content we shoot. Please take a look at typical social media content if you need to gain a better understanding for current best practices.
Sending me the shot list at least one day prior to the shoot will provide me with the necessary information to plan the shoot from both a technical and creative standpoint. The shot list is as important for me as the photographer as it is for you, the client, as it enables us to be highly efficient in capturing everything you need (and more) in a timely manner. Furthermore, the shot list can be a savior for recalling unique content that may be easily overlooked during a busy session. Ultimately, it maximizes your return on investment in professional food photography and videography.
If you need help getting started, here's a simple shot list template you can download and freely use.
LIST THE THINGS YOU'RE SHOOTING
The crux of the shot list is to first jot down the subjects, topics, or scenarios that you intend to capture on camera. Ensure that they align with your brand and the emotions you wish to evoke in your audience. Including visual aids like reference pictures or sketches, even if they are crude snapshots taken from your phone or links to other brands' content that resonate with your brand, will aid in clarifying your shot list.
BACKGROUNDS, PROPS, AND LIGHTING
Should the subjects be shot on plain white or colored backgrounds? Should they be shot with some of the environment around them showing? If they're lifestyle shots, what does the room or environment behind the product look like? What kind of light should be used to light the subject? A harsh light resembling the sun or a soft light that makes you think of a home kitchen?
CATEGORIZE THE SHOTS
Now that you have listed the different shots you'd like to capture, you can categorize them in order to facilitate the execution of each shot and the transition between one shot and the next one on the list. Keep in mind that moving from one type of image (for example, beauty shots of your menu items) to a totally different type (for example, the interiors of your venue) might require changing quite a few things, such as camera lens, lighting, moving to a different area within the location, props, etc. By categorizing the shots based on how similar they are, we will reduce the number of such changes to a minimum which, in turn, will maximize the time we can spend on shooting and the amount of content you will get.
An additional 'dimension' you should use to categorize your shot is based on the importance of each shot and it can be very helpful to make sure you have a well thought shot list to keep your priorities aligned with your goals and and needs. Most shoots will likely include some combination of the following: 1) the 'must have' list would include your top priority shots (the protagonists), the ones that you absolutely need to capture; 2) the detail shots would be smaller details related to your overall shots (the supporting actors), the ones that will help tell the story of your brand but it would not be a disaster if we missed one; 3) the extras are simply that – shots that you’d like to get if conditions permit and/or if you have extra time after capturing the first two categories.
ADD EXTRA DETAILS
Please provide additional information regarding the shots you intend to take during our session, including any particular details about the desired tone, mood, or composition. For instance, you could say something like, "I want to highlight the chef's pasta-making skills by capturing close-up shots of their hands in action."
GET INSPIRATION
You don't need to reinvent the wheel. Simply explore your preferred social media platforms and websites to discover content that strikes a chord with you. This is usually sufficient for me to grasp the vibe you wish to convey.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SHOOT - YOUR STAFF
To execute a photo shoot successfully, several aspects need to be taken care of, such as ensuring adequate staffing and kitchen capacity to prepare food promptly, in line with the shooting schedule.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SHOOT - YOUR VENUE
When including images and videos of dishes in your shot list, consider suitable areas for capturing them. I can easily adapt to your location and create the desired lighting, independent of the venue's existing light. To ensure consistency in results, I prefer using my own lighting for most shoots, avoiding dependence on weather or time of day.
For capturing the atmosphere and interiors of your venue, it's crucial to plan out the desired look. Determine which elements to highlight or downplay while keeping your brand identity in mind. If aiming for a vibrant atmosphere, schedule the shoot during peak business hours. Alternatively, if showcasing the beauty of your venue is the goal, consider shooting during closed hours.
MOST COMMON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you don't find the answer to your question, please check the full list of FAQ or email me your questions.
WHAT'S YOUR REFUND POLICY?
All of my Social Media plans come with a satisfaction guarantee in the form of a full refund up to 30 days from the start of your plan. Cancellations made after 30 days from the start of your plan or after 7 days from your first shoot (whichever comes first) will incur cancellation fees and forfeit all of the usage rights to the content already created.
Cancellation fee: 30% of the yet to be paid yearly balance for the plan you are subscribed to. For example, let's assume your plan costs $500/m x 12 months and you have already paid for 2 months (2 x $500), you will owe 30% of the remaining 10 months (10 x $500 = $5000 x 30% = $1500).
WHAT PACKAGE IS BEST FOR ME?
That depends on how much content you need for your Social Media channels.
If you are organized and plan each shoot well and each piece of content is not very complex, you can count on me delivering 30-40 pieces of content (photos and short videos combined) per shoot.
Scenario 1: you're planning on posting about 2 times per week for the next 12 months.
That would require about 100 pieces of content for the year, so most likely 3 shoots for the year.
Scenario 2: you're planning on posting about 4 times per week for the next 12 months.
That would require about 210 pieces of content for the year, so most likely 6 shoots for the year.
Scenario 3: you're planning on posting about 8 times per week for the next 12 months.
That would require about 420 pieces of content for the year, so most likely 12 shoots for the year
Please keep in mind that the amount of pieces of content (images and videos) we are able to achieve in one single shoot (4 hours) depends highly on how well organized you are and how complex each image/video is. I'm extremely fast at getting the right look once the subject is photo ready and I'm never the 'bottleneck' of the system. Also, I don't put a limit on the amount of content you're going to get like many other photographers do. So, the better you plan your shoot, the higher the amount of content and the return on your investment.
It is not uncommon for me to shoot 40+ images and 10+ short videos if everything on your end runs very smoothly and the images are fairly simple.
WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?
My goal is to make sure your experience of working with me is very smooth and the amount of admin work is kept to a minimum. That is why I only accept Credit/Debit cards and PayPal. Card payments are processed through Stripe, one of the most popular credit card processors in the world.
UNLEASH STUNNING SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT WITH EASE!
1 - BROWSE THE PLANS
2 - SCHEDULE YOUR FREE STRATEGY SESSION
3 - EMBARK ON YOUR JOURNEY & SCHEDULE YOUR DEBUT SHOOT!
WHICH PLAN IS BEST FOR ME?
There are businesses that post content on social media once a week and others that post 7+ times a week. Once you know what your need is (posts per week), you can use the links below to figure out the best plan for you.
HOW OFTEN ARE YOU GOING TO
POST CONTENT IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?
WHAT'S INCLUDED ?
SUPPORT
SHOOTING
EDITING & RETOUCH
Discovery call
Unlimited email support
Pre-shoot consultations
All shoots in the chosen plan
Camera equipment
Lighting equipment
Editing
Retouching all images
Organizing the raw videos
USAGE IN PERPETUITY
CONVENIENCE
NO RISK
Social media (unrestricted)
Website (except for e-commerce)
Email (unrestricted)
Editorial/Press
Custom area on website
Easy content download
Online booking calendar
Secure electronic payments
12+ years of experience
Remarkable client list
Impeccable track record
100% satisfaction guaranteed
“Francesco is an incredibly skilled photographer. He has an innate ability to understand a brief and transform the beautiful into the spectacular. Not only is his vision and technical execution flawless but his ability to digest multiple different ideas and develop a holistic story is unmatched. I would highly recommend working with him on all types of projects, especially in hospitality and brand storytelling.”
Emi, Brand Manager - Union Square Hospitality Group
“Francesco takes every client’s needs seriously - whether a headshot for a food blogger or endless photos for a three hundred page cookbook - and brings his big joy and charisma to each shoot. Francesco is boundless in enthusiasm and creativity and operates his business at the highest level of professionalism.”
Alicia Walter, All Things Culinary
TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP
TOWARD PEACE OF MIND AND CONTENT THAT ELEVATES YOUR BRAND.
FREE YOUR TIME TO CULTIVATE YOUR DREAM
SAY NO TO THE HASSLE, ERRATIC RESULTS, AND TOIL OF AMATEUR FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
SOCIAL MEDIA
3 SHOOTS
12 MONTHS
2+ PIECES OF CONTENT
PER WEEK
FOR 12 MONTHS
From $397/m
CONSULTATION CALLS
UNLIMITED CONTENT
EDITING AND RETOUCH
USAGE IN PERPETUITY
NO HIDDEN FEES
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
TRIAL: 1 SHOOT
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
SOCIAL MEDIA
6 SHOOTS
12 MONTHS
4+ PIECES OF CONTENT
PER WEEK
FOR 12 MONTHS
From $697/m
CONSULTATION CALLS
UNLIMITED CONTENT
EDITING AND RETOUCH
USAGE IN PERPETUITY
NO HIDDEN FEES
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
TRIAL: 1 SHOOT
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
SOCIAL MEDIA
12 SHOOTS
12 MONTHS
8+ PIECES OF CONTENT
PER WEEK
FOR 12 MONTHS
From $1187/m
CONSULTATION CALLS
UNLIMITED CONTENT
EDITING AND RETOUCH
USAGE IN PERPETUITY
NO HIDDEN FEES
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
TRIAL: 1 SHOOT