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Best Resources + Tools for Food Bloggers

ByAcademy of Culinary Nutrition Last updated on Reading Time: 6 minutes

So you’ve decided to start a food blog and are feeling a little overwhelmed with all of the possibilities available to you. You’re not alone! As the interest in food blogging has grown, so have the tools and support available to those of us who want to share what we know about food and culinary nutrition. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some of the best tools for food bloggers that will help you expand your knowledge, gain confidence and create a food blog that you’re proud of.

The Best Resources + Tools for Food Bloggers

Writing

Food writing - tools for food bloggers

All of the fanciest photography or web design isn’t going to help you if readers don’t find compelling stories, interesting information or fantastic recipes on your food blog. Take the time to work on your writing by practicing on a regular basis and improving your writing skills. Some handy resources to help you do this:

Writing Tools for Food Bloggers

Recipe Development

Recipe Development - Tools for Food Bloggers

Recipe development is an essential component of food blogging. It’s important to work on creating original recipes that are designed by you. Now, you might be wondering if there is an original recipe under the sun and the answer is absolutely! While the ingredients you use in a recipe may not be original, the story you tell about the recipe, the way you write the instructions and how you drop any culinary nutrition knowledge along with the recipe is unique to you.

Developing recipes is a skill, so get in your kitchen and start playing. The only way you’ll learn how to develop recipes is to actually develop recipes. Keep a careful note of your measurements and instructions, either using an old school pen and paper or with your phone, tablet or computer. You may also find some of these resources handy:

Recipe Development Tools for Food Bloggers

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Food Photography

Food Photography - Tools for Food Bloggers

Food photography is incredibly important in food blogging. That vegetarian curry you made may taste delicious, but without good food photography it’s just going to look like vomit on the plate. You don’t need exceptional photography skills right off the bat for a good food blog, but knowing the basics will get you started and you can improve, grow and learn as you go. Some fantastic food photography resources are:

Photography Tools for Food Bloggers

And you don’t even need an uber-professional camera to take great food photos!

Photo Editing

While an excellently-crafted food photo is essential, even great food photos need a bit of editing to make them pop. Photoshop has long been considered the standard for graphic designers, but it has a lot of features that the average food blogger doesn’t really need. Here are some other options to consider:

Photo Editing Tools for Food Bloggers

Props

Food props -best tools for food blogging

The props you use for food photography will depend on your preferences and style. Generally, choose simple props such as white dishes and tablecloths that will showcase the food and not detract from it.

However, the best place to start is by using the props you already own! Pull out your cutlery, serving pieces, napkins, cutting boards and dishes and start experimenting with how they look in photos. Even things like scrap white paper can be used as backgrounds, so rummage around your house for other things that might look good as a background or a surface you can shoot the food from.

If you want to explore new props, secondhand shops and thrift stores are a budget-friendly option, or you can host a ‘prop swap’ with friends or family. Some other handy prop advice:

Prop Tools for Food Bloggers

Styling

Food Styling - Tools for Food Bloggers

Yes, we know that beauty is only skin deep and beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it’s what’s inside that counts. Still, we eat with our eyes and the way the food looks on the plate influences our perceptions of the food itself. Teach yourself how to plate food attractively with these tools:

Styling Tools for Food Bloggers

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Search engine optimization might seem intimidating, but really it’s just about putting yourself in the mind of your readers and what they might google when looking for a recipe.

Consider these resources to help you learn SEO:

Web Hosting

When you’re just starting out, a free website platform like Weebly, or Wordpress.com, or inexpensive options like Squarespace or Wix can be immensely helpful. But as you progress in your blog, or want to launch a business website that includes a blog, it’s more professional to buy a domain and self-host your website. Here are some resources to help you do just that:

Web Hosting Tools for Food Bloggers

Associations + Memberships

For those of you who want a community of help and support, to meet like-minded food bloggers, or to learn how to earn an income from your food blog, an association or membership might be something to consider. Think about what you want and what you’d like to get out of the membership experience, and then go and seek out a group that fits the bill. Some of our faves are:

There are also a ton of local food blogging associations in different cities and countries around the world so look up what’s in your community. Facebook is also a wonderful resource for this.

We hope you find these best resources and tools for food bloggers helpful!

40 + Free Tools for Food Bloggers

Header Image: badmanproduction

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