The Best Overhead Setup For Food Photography

When it comes to food photography tips, this overhead setup is one of my favorites. With as popular as an overhead food shot is in food photography, it’s important to have a solid setup to help you capture this angle correctly. Let’s dive into my favorite overhead setup for food photography!

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Popular Overhead Setups For Food Photography

There are two very common ways to shoot food overhead.

• Holding the camera
• Using a tripod

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of these two popular overhead setups.

Holding The Camera

PROS

• Less gear to deal with
• Quick and easy

I didn’t have a lot of food photography equipment when I was first starting out. I would shoot overhead images by standing over the food and holding the camera to what I thought was the correct position. It didn’t require extra gear and felt like a quick and easy approach to capturing overhead food images.

CONS

• Images look inconsistent
• Images are not level

The problem, however, was when I would hold the camera a lot of my overhead shots either looked off balance or just not level. This caused a lot of inconsistencies in my images during my photo shoots.

During client projects, a common request would be to be able to use a food shot both vertically and horizontally. Holding the camera always made this really difficult to achieve without having to take a bunch of extra shots. Several images and a sore back later, holding the camera became too much of a guessing game and I so realized that I needed to find a better solution.

iPhone Tip: Use A Tripod for iPhone Food Photography

If you use your iPhone for food photography, check out this blog post that shares more about The Best Tripod for iPhone Food Photography.

While I have a different overhead set up for my Mirrorless cameras, a tripod with a center column has been my go-to when using my iPhone camera. It solves issues like poor angle choices, blurry images and frees up my hands to make other adjustments to my camera settings and the composition of my food images.

PROS

• Stabilizes your iPhone camera
• Positions the iPhone to the correct angle
• Prevents blurry images
• Prevents grainy-looking images
• Frees your hands to make adjustments to food
• Frees your hands to adjust your camera settings

CONS

• A little extra gear to work with (but so worth it!)

READ MORE ABOUT: THE BEST IPHONE TRIPOD FOR FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Tripods For Food Photography

K&F Concept Overhead Camera Tripod

This is a really nice and compact tripod that works well for both photography and video. This tripod comes with a fluid head for video panning, but you’ll also need a separate, attachable ball head for easy adjustments during photography sessions.

PROS:

• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• Packs up small for easy transport

CONS:

• Lightweight potentially means less sturdy/stable
• The extension arm may not be long enough
• Buy the ball head separately
• You have to readjust the tripod legs and height to shoot other angles

I have really liked the easy of use of this tripod, because it does everything I need it to do. However, my main issue for overhead food shots was the constant adjustments I would need to make between overhead and 3/4 angle shots. It felt tedious and time consuming.

READ MORE ABOUT: THE BEST ANGLES FOR FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Manfrotto 055

This is a great tripod that has a little more weight to it than the K&F Concept tripod, so it makes it more stable during photo shoots.

PROS:

• Heavier weight, a more sturdy tripod
• Packs up well for travel
• Easy to use for straight on and 3/4 angle shots
• Comes with a ball head

CONS:

• The extension arm may not be long enough
• You have to readjust the tripod legs and height to shoot other angles

I think the Manfrotto is a great tripod. Although it comes with a center column, you may need a separate, longer extension arm for overhead shots. It works really well when using the iPhone camera, but does not work as well with a mirrorless or DSLR camera because it’s just not long enough.

Another solution, however, is to order a longer extension arm to attach to the Manfrotto tripod. I ordered the Manfrotto 131DB extension arm which allowed my camera to reach further across the table. And, this works out pretty well.

But, once again, my main issue with using a regular tripod for overhead shots was the constant adjustment of the legs and height. I knew I wanted to find a better solution for overhead shots, so I could continue using my other tripods for the other angles.

TIP: IF THE MANFROTTO 055 ISN’T AVAILABLE, THE MANFROTTO 190 XPRO WITH BALL HEAD IS SIMILAR.

The Best Setup for Overhead Photography

After doing some research and getting creative in my home studio, I finally discovered a reliable setup for overhead food photography.

PROS

• Perfectly level shots that work both horizontally and vertically
• Ability to raise and lower my camera easily using the two light stands
• Allows me to use my tripod separately for the 3/4 angle and straight on shots
• Easy to set up and take down
• Expandable for different surface widths
• No more holding the camera and “hoping” I got the shot
• No more tripod legs interfering with the image
• No more shooting on the floor
• No more annoying tripod leg adjustments

CONS

• The extra equipment may take up a little more space
• The initial cost of equipment could add up (but it’s worth it!)
• You will need to shoot tethered using this setup (this isn’t necessarily a con, but it depends on your workflow)

Equipment For Overhead Food Photography

Below is a list of the equipment you’ll need with pictures to help create the visual. Reach out if you have any questions at all.

And, if video is more your thing, be sure to check out my quick video of this setup on Instagram.

1. Two Light Stands

First, you’ll need two light stands. Set them up far enough apart to support the width of your extension arm (this is listed next).

The light stands should allow you to raise and lower the camera as needed with ease. I find adjusting two light stands much easier than adjusting the length of the three tripod legs. I recommend purchasing a small level to just to be sure your light stands are equal in height and your camera is perfectly level.

2. One Extension Arm

Next, you’ll need an extension arm that rests between your two light stands. This will also hold your camera above the table. I’m sharing three different extension arm options below and I use all three of these extension arm options depending on the length I need. Images provided as well.

1. EXTENTION GRIP ARM (40″)

You can get this extension grip arm which is 40 inches in length. This already comes with one avenger grip already attached on one end. If you get this extension arm, you’ll need to purchase two more Avenger Grips for the overhead setup.

2. C-STAND WITH BOOM ARM (50″)

Using a Boom Arm is another option and it’s a little longer giving you 50 inches in length. This will also come with one grip, so you’ll need to buy two more Avenger grips for the overhead setup.

* I am using the 50″ C-stand arm in this post and in the Instagram video setup.

3. CUSTOM CUT CONDUIT PIPE

If you need an extension arm that’s longer than 50 inches, I recommend getting a conduit pipe cut to the length that you need. I have one cut to 80″ for my wider surfaces. I got this pipe from Ace Hardware and had them cut it down for me. I brought an avenger grip to the store to be sure the diameter of the pipe would fit securely into the grip. If you decide to get a custom cut conduit pipe, you will need to buy three Avenger Grips for the overhead setup.

3. Three Avenger Grips

You will need 3 avenger grips depending on the extension arm you decide to get. You will need to attach these to your light stands and to the center of your extension arm.

If you getting the 40″ Extension Grip Arm, you only need two avenger grips, because one already comes with the arm.

If you get a 50″ C-stand with boom arm, you will only need two avenger grips because one already comes with the C-stand.

If you get a custom cut conduit pipe cut to your desired length, you will need three avenger grips.

The first grip attaches to one end of your extension arm and one of the light stands. The second grip attaches to the center of the extension arm. And, the third grip attaches to the other end of your extension arm and the other light stand.

4. Neewer 1/4 To 3/8 Spigot

Next, you’ll need a 1/4 to 3/8 spigot. The thinner (1/4) end of the spigot will attach to the grip in the middle of your extension arm. The thicker (3/8) end will screw into the ball head (this is listed next).

You’ll get two spigots per order, but you’ll only need to use one for this setup. They are pretty small, so save the extra in case you lose the other one.

5. Ball Head

Next, you’ll need a ball head. This will attach to the center avenger grip by screwing into the 3/8 end of the spigot. And, ultimately, you attach your camera to the ball head so it’s positioned for an overhead shot.

I mentioned the Manfrotto 055 earlier in this post which already comes with a ball head. But, since I use my tripod for the 3/4 angle and the straight on angle, I needed to buy an extra ball head for my overhead setup. You can buy a tripod and ball head together or buy the ball head separately.

I recommend having both the Manfrotto 055 tripod and ball head for 3/4 and straight on shots and getting an extra ball head for the overhead setup. Then, you can easily switch your camera from one setup to another depending on the angle you need to shoot at. It’s a huge time saver on photo shoots! 😉

Tethered Shooting For Food Photography

This overhead setup for food photography will require you to shoot tethered. Shooting tethered means that your camera has a cable connecting it directly to your computer. It allows you to review your images on your computer as you shoot so you can see your image on a larger screen.

Seeing your images displayed on a larger screen is a great way to improve your food images, because you can see everything more clearly and make adjustments as you shoot.

If you can flip your LCD screen open on your camera, you could get away with not shooting tethered with this setup. However, the screen is pretty small, so it could be difficult to see important details of your image. And, if your camera is positioned pretty high up, you’ll need a step stool to see it clearly.

Tether Tools

There are a variety of tether cables to choose from. Make sure the tether cable you get is compatible with your camera model before purchasing. Tether tools is a great resource to make sure you get the right cable.

When you go to the Tether Tools home page, click Search By Camera at the top of the page. From there you can enter your camera brand, model and computer port and it will tell you exactly what tether cable you’ll need. Easy peasy!

READ MORE ABOUT: HOW TO SHOOT TETHERED FOR FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

The Cost Of Overhead Photography Equipment

This overhead setup for food photography will vary in cost depending on what materials you actually need. It cost me under $400 for this setup and while that may sound pricey, it has been absolutely worth it with as often as I’m shooting overhead food photography.

I also love having a separate overhead setup for food photography so I can use my tripods for the 3/4 angle and straight on shots that I need to capture. It has made my photo shoots much more efficient and has always resulted in beautiful food images that are shot at the correct angle.

In conclusion, there is no right or wrong way to shoot overhead food photography. It’s important to do what works best for you, your space and your budget. I hope it works out for you!

Reach out with questions anytime and be sure to follow me on Instagram!

Happy Creating!

Summary of Equipment

1. Manfrotto Light Stands (2)
2. Impact 40″ Extension Arm
3. If the 40″ is not long enough, try a C-Stand with a Boom Arm
4. Avenger Grips (2-3)
5. Neewer 1/4 to 3/8 Spigot
6. Ball Head
7. Small Level
8. Separate Tripod for 3/4 angle & straight on shots

FIND ALL OF THE GEAR FOR THIS OVERHEAD SETUP IN MY AMAZON STORE.

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click or make a purchase, I might make a small commission (at no extra cost to you). I only promote products and equipment that I actually use for my photography business. Your support helps me continue to produce educational content about photography. Thank you! 

All images ©Regan Baroni 2025.