Our Guide to the Perfect Pasta Portrait

Have you ever been thrilled with a dish you’ve prepared that you simply must take a photo of, yet none of the snaps seem to successfully translate the culinary masterpiece before you? Taking great photographs of food can be challenging but we’ve found the ultimate solution! We've gone behind the scenes to discover the top tips from our in-house creative team for photographing pasta like a pro. 

1)  GETTING SAUCY 

Ideally you want your pasta to be looking evenly coated & glossy. To create this glossy shine, always add a dash or two of pasta water when transferring your pasta to your sauce. Toss everything together, very gently, to add a creamy texture without diluting the flavour of your dish.

For an even glossier finish, our Chef Martina, from Sardinia, suggests adding a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. 

2) PLATING PERFECTION

This is where people often struggle, especially when the pasta is richly coated in sauce.

Designer Salem’s tip: “Unlike a bowl, using a dinner plate will showcase your pasta in all its glory!” 

For long pasta, use a pair of tongs or a carving fork and gently twist until a nest of pasta is formed. Transfer your pasta onto the centre of your plate, using a ladle to hold the bottom of the nest. The ladle trick will help preserve the shape of your nest and stop any sauce from dropping on the plate. 

Head of Brand Sophie’s tip: “Use a rubber spatula to scoop every last bit of leftover sauce from the pan and drizzle it over the plated dish.”

3) KEEP IT FRESH  

Head Chef Roberta notes: “Using fresh herbs like basil or thyme gives a hint of vibrancy and colour to even the creamiest, cheesiest of dishes. The fresher it looks, the better!”. 

Alternatively, a generous sprinkling of cheese is always a winner, parmesan goes with every dish... apart from seafood if we are being traditional! 

4) BE AFRAID OF THE DARK 

If you take food photos at night, or with low-level lighting, you are asking for trouble. If you want to get that winning shot, Social Media Manager Maria’s advice is to make your pasta for lunch: “Nothing will elevate your dish like natural light. Get close to your kitchen window and harness that midday brightness.”

5) KNOW YOUR ANGLES 

Maria suggests: “Make sure you're capturing the most saucy & luminous part of the dish, facing the source of light to really glorify your pasta!”

For long pasta, add some dynamism by pulling those indulgent strands up with a fork. For short, or filled pasta, shots from above can be really effective.