In the competitive world of food delivery, your menu photos are your storefront. When customers scroll through Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Glovo, they make split-second decisions based on how your food looks. Restaurants with professional photos consistently outperform those with poor or no images.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about food photography for delivery apps—from specific platform requirements to proven techniques that drive more orders.
Why Delivery App Photos Matter More Than Ever
Consider these statistics:
- 30% more orders — Menu items with photos receive significantly more orders than items without
- 70% of customers say food photos influence their ordering decisions
- Higher perceived value — Professional photos allow you to price items higher
- Fewer refunds — Accurate photos set correct expectations, reducing complaints
Your competitors are investing in better food photography. If your menu has blurry phone photos—or worse, no photos at all—you're losing orders every single day.
Photo Requirements by Platform
Each delivery platform has specific requirements. Here's what you need to know:
Uber Eats Photo Requirements
- Resolution: Minimum 1920x1080 pixels (recommended 2000x2000)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 for hero images, 1:1 (square) for menu items
- Format: JPG or PNG
- File Size: Under 5MB
- Rules: No text, logos, watermarks, or promotional content
DoorDash Photo Requirements
- Resolution: Minimum 1200x800 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 3:2 preferred
- Format: JPG, PNG, or WEBP
- File Size: Under 10MB
- Rules: Food must be clearly visible, no excessive styling
Glovo Photo Requirements
- Resolution: Minimum 1000x1000 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square) for menu items
- Format: JPG or PNG
- File Size: Under 8MB
- Rules: White or light neutral background preferred
Deliveroo & Just Eat
- Resolution: Minimum 1200x900 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 or 16:9
- Format: JPG preferred
- Rules: Clean backgrounds, accurate portion representation
7 Proven Tips for Delivery App Food Photos
1. Use Natural Light (or Simulate It)
Natural light makes food look fresh and appetizing. Position dishes near a window with indirect sunlight. If shooting at night or in a dark kitchen, use soft artificial lighting that mimics daylight (5000-6500K color temperature).
Pro tip: Avoid harsh overhead lights in your kitchen—they create unflattering shadows and make food look flat.
2. Shoot from the Right Angle
Different dishes look best from different angles:
- 45-degree angle: Best for most dishes—burgers, bowls, pasta, plated meals
- Top-down (90°): Perfect for pizzas, salads, poke bowls, flatbreads
- Eye-level (0°): Ideal for tall items—stacked burgers, layer cakes, drinks
3. Keep Backgrounds Clean and Simple
Delivery app photos display at small sizes on mobile screens. Busy backgrounds distract from the food. Use:
- White or light gray surfaces
- Simple wood textures
- Solid colored plates that contrast with food
- Minimal props (if any)
4. Show Accurate Portions
This is crucial for customer satisfaction. Your photos should accurately represent what customers will receive. Overstyled or oversized portions lead to disappointment, complaints, and bad reviews.
Photograph the actual dish as it will be delivered—same container, same portion size.
5. Make Colors Pop
Vibrant colors catch attention in crowded app feeds. Ensure your photos are:
- Well-exposed: Not too dark or washed out
- Color-accurate: Food should look natural, not oversaturated
- Warm-toned: Slightly warm colors make food more appetizing
6. Photograph Fresh Food Quickly
Food photography is time-sensitive. Hot dishes steam for only minutes. Ice cream melts. Salads wilt. Set up your shot completely before plating, then photograph quickly while the dish looks its best.
7. Maintain Consistency Across Your Menu
Your menu should look cohesive. Use the same:
- Lighting setup for all dishes
- Background style
- Editing/color treatment
- Photography angle (within dish categories)
Inconsistent photos make your restaurant look unprofessional and disorganized.
Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Orders
Avoid these photography mistakes that restaurants commonly make:
- Blurry photos: Always use good lighting and steady hands (or a tripod)
- Yellow/orange tint: Caused by indoor lighting—adjust white balance or use daylight
- Cluttered backgrounds: Kitchen equipment, other dishes, or messy surfaces in frame
- Harsh shadows: Use diffused lighting, not direct overhead lights
- No photos at all: Menu items without photos are ordered 30% less
- Stock photos: Customers can tell—and feel deceived when food doesn't match
Options for Getting Great Delivery App Photos
Option 1: Hire a Professional Food Photographer
Cost: $1,500-$4,000 for a full menu
Pros: Highest quality, professional lighting and styling
Cons: Expensive, requires scheduling, need new shoots for menu updates
Option 2: DIY with Smartphone
Cost: Free
Pros: Immediate, flexible, no additional cost
Cons: Requires skill and good lighting, results often look amateur
Option 3: AI Food Photography Enhancement
Cost: $9.99-$39.99/month
Pros: Professional results from basic photos, instant, unlimited updates
Cons: Requires a decent starting photo
Tools like Platora let you photograph dishes with your phone and transform them into professional-quality images using AI. You get consistent styling, proper lighting enhancement, and multiple angle options—without the cost of hiring a photographer.
Quick Checklist: Before Uploading Photos
Use this checklist before uploading photos to any delivery platform:
- ☐ Image is at least 1200 pixels on the shortest side
- ☐ Food is well-lit and colors look natural
- ☐ Background is clean and uncluttered
- ☐ Dish is in focus (not blurry)
- ☐ Portion size accurately represents what customer receives
- ☐ No text, logos, or watermarks on image
- ☐ File is under the platform's size limit
- ☐ Photo style is consistent with other menu items
Conclusion: Invest in Your Delivery App Photos
In the food delivery business, your photos are your first impression—and often the only thing standing between a customer choosing your restaurant or a competitor.
The investment in good food photography pays for itself quickly through:
- More orders on Uber Eats, DoorDash, and other platforms
- Higher average order values
- Better customer satisfaction and reviews
- Stronger brand perception
Whether you hire a professional, learn DIY techniques, or use AI enhancement tools, make sure every dish on your menu has a photo that makes customers want to order.