Food photography at La Coco, Dubai by Gerry O’Leary
The food of the rich? How images of seafood and fish dishes promote luxury.
Ask any number of people to name a food that is synonymous with luxury and I bet at least 90% would name lobster or oysters. Indeed, both types of seafood have a long association with the tables of the wealthy. Many of the top restaurants on earth are either seafood restaurants or famed for their offerings of sea urchin, golden eye snapper or tuna tataki.
Having carried out food photography for Michelin-star restaurants from Dubai to Sydney, I understand how seafood has a natural elegance that captures the viewer and how it has become a representation of grandeur.
The splendour of seafood
There’s something truly mesmerizing about photographing seafood. From the shimmering scales of a freshly caught fish to the lavish presentation of lobster draped in beurre blanc, seafood oozes opulence. When I’m capturing images of fish and seafood, I’m not just photographing a meal — I’m inviting viewers to experience gastronomy in its highest form. In short, it’s a pleasure to photograph fish and seafood dishes. Here, I share some insights into why seafood makes a luxurious statement.
Reflecting freshness and quality through the lens
One of the first things a seafood dish must convey is absolute freshness. In luxury dining, seafood that appears plucked straight from the ocean is the ultimate symbol of quality and indulgence. The translucent flesh of a pristine fillet, the glistening sheen on a freshly shucked oyster — these details are essential. In food photography, I focus on capturing these natural attributes under just the right light, using precision lighting to emphasize freshness.
Embracing textures
Seafood offers a remarkable variety of textures, each with its own aesthetic appeal. The firm, marbled flesh of tuna, the silken smoothness of scallops, the intricate, spindly legs of a crab — each texture tells a different story, one of refinement, care, and expertise.
Lighting from an angle brings out the fine details and enhances the textures, allowing each component to stand out. The goal is to give the viewer a tactile experience, where they can almost feel the buttery softness of a poached lobster or the delicate flake of a seared salmon.
Celebrating natural colours on camera
The colours of seafood are undeniably striking. Deep red lobster shells, pearly white scallops, and glistening pink salmon, all these natural hues emanate luxury. In capturing these shades, I aim to keep the colour balance true to life, celebrating the inherent beauty of these ingredients.
My job as a food photographer is to celebrate these tones so viewers can appreciate the full depth of the colours.
Capturing the culinary craft
Seafood dishes, especially in fine dining, are often intricate works of art, requiring skill, accuracy, and care. By showcasing the artistry of these dishes, I can document the chef’s craft. Each carefully layered sashimi platter, each rigorously assembled seafood tower, tells a story of culinary mastery. This is an essential aspect of luxury photography, as it highlights the expertise and dedication that goes into creating such dishes.
A little minimalism goes a long way
Luxury food photography, especially with seafood, benefits from a touch of minimalism. Seafood is already inherently sophisticated and visually appealing, so I focus on letting the dishes speak for themselves. Instead of overloading the frame with distracting elements, I highlight the simplicity and purity of the dish. This restrained approach allows viewers to appreciate every curve of a lobster claw, every glistening droplet on a mussel shell.
As an award-winning photographer based in the United Arab Emirates, I am available for food photography projects across the Middle East and India. Get in touch if you wish to showcase your restaurant through professional photography.
