• Step 1: Bismillah • Step 2: Instagram it • Step 3: Dig in!

Food photography is on the rise, largely owing to a platforms like Instagram and availability of smartphones to capture snaps instantly, aesthetically and in all its glory. Instagram is the palace of the perfect; capturing the gorgeousness of an otherwise mundane story.

So, what does it take to be a food blogger, heading a mouthwatering Instagram feed? What goes into the making of a life of an Instagram influencer and surmas a dedicated following of people who trust your opinions? 

Since it’s everyone’s favourite time of the year for having food, (at least it’s mine), MAG got in touch with some of the finest Instagram food bloggers in town to share their food blogging experience.

@feastkarachi 

“When I started, there weren’t many food bloggers around and the ones who were, had a very negative approach to every (infrequent) review. I started out randomly when I was going through my camera roll and found so many good food pictures on it! After a few hours of researching, logo-making and photo compilation, FeastKarachi was born!”

Followers: 22k+
On IG since: 1.5 years
Camera in use: iPhone 8
App time in a day: More than 12 hours.

The aspect of food blogging you find the best? Doing something you really enjoy as a hobby and getting compensated for it! The worst aspect is having to meet unfriendly bloggers, some who treated me like a kid because I was 15 when I started 2 years ago.

Which foods do not turn out as good in the photographs? 

Shawarmas, rolls, wraps, for me. 

Do you always project it on your feed that you're having a great time?
Not always, but I try and help my followers experience it all through my feeds, the good and the bad. I post about the dishes that I like at a particular restaurant while giving followers a heads up about the ones I find mediocre on the menu. I don’t like posting negative reviews because not everyone wants to see such photos. A food page is supposed to help you decide where and what to eat when you go out or eat at home. No one would want to see what NOT to have, so I try to maintain a balance.

@eatouttonight

“While cleaning my phone's memory on a random day, I came across a gazillion gorgeous shots of food. The first thought that crossed my mind was – the world needs to see these. These pictures with basic reviews could help guide people and expand our city's food market.” – Shezeen Nadeem

Followers: 11k
On IG since: 1.5 years
Camera in use: Samsung
S6 edge
App time per day: 1 to 2 hours

How far does an aesthetically appealing IG feed helps in impacting followers? 
It’s important. Without proper lighting and good editing skills, even the best of food dishes can give a very mediocre appeal. If the picture is attractive and classy, even with a negative review, people would still like to try it out.

Does photographing food get repetitive and tiring? 
It doesn't, to be honest. Of course, by the time the pictures are ready and I have my desired, perfect shot, my food gets cold. That's just something I still haven't gotten used to. 

What is that one great feeling about being a food blogger?
The best part is the food, itself. I love how new trends and new cuisines come up every now and then. I like to see how people here react to innovations! Getting to try out new things is an art in its purest form. The worst part is having to deal with that particular 10 percent of restaurant owners/managers who are extremely arrogant and annoying.

Foods that you feel come out best in photography?
Fries and desserts. People love any photograph of loaded, cheesy fries or warm, melting, gooey desserts.

 The most underrated and overrated eatery in your experience?
Domino's and Street Kitchen are definitely underrated. Chai Wala and McDonald’s being the opposite.

@mrfoodiekarachi

I started food blogging as a hobby. Because I have always been into eating outside seven days a week, I thought it would be great to help others by reviewing food. I hate the misconception that every positive review is a paid review. It isn’t. – Mujtaba

Followers: 6.5 K
On Instagram since: 1.5 years
Camera used: iPhone 8 Plus
App time per day: 2 to 3 hours

As a food blogger, do you feel even mildly obligated to portray as ‘always having fun’ on your Instagram feed? 
That’s a good question. The answer would be, not really, but most of the time, I am having a good time.

Sometimes at an expensive restaurant, you're paying for the experience rather than the food. How does that impact you? 
I feel that the experience is a vital part but of course if the food isn’t as good then it is quite a bummer. I guess the experience is a one off and you wouldn’t want to do it again because you know the food isn’t great. 

Which food dishes are Instagram-friendly?
Smoothie bowls, freakshakes and most breakfast items (eggs benedict, pancakes etc). 

Which food items are the most difficult to make look-good and appealing to the eye?
Mostly, food items with gravy.

A food trend you wish would end?
Gold dusted food! You’re really just paying for that Instagram shot, aren’t you?

@gottablogger

I’m a strong believer of the fact ‘You eat with your eyes first’. If your pictures are beautiful, you don’t need a long caption to defend it! – Aqsa Fawad

Followers: 6k
On IG since: 2 years
Camera in use: Nikon D3100 (16-85mm Lens) & iPhone 6s
App time per day: 1 hour or more

An annoying aspect of doing what you do as a food blogger?
The constant struggle of convincing myself to not touch the food before that perfect Instagram picture. Also, the stare I get from my family and friends when they don’t like the food I suggest.

Is it important for you to make your feed aesthetically appealing?
Your feed speaks a thousand words. Everyone can click a picture but not everyone can click a vibrant, aesthetically pleasing picture. 

Which foods give you a tough time when photographing?
Sadly, most desi foods. The colours don’t come off as bright, and sometimes the food looks way too oily.

With food blogging being all the rage and more bloggers joining in, how do you plan on standing out?
There’s a sea of bloggers out there, it becomes really hard standing out from the crowd and staying true to yourself. I try my best to make my captions as captivating as possible. I use puns and quirky one-liners to narrate my experience, even my hashtag (#theoneat/with) is a reflection of my undying love for the TV show F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

@outonabudget

I have been a food enthusiast my entire life, from cooking to eating out and food photography. Having this unconditional love, I decided to blog and guide people about my favourite places. – Nida Abbass

Followers: 5 K
On Instagram since: 1 year
Camera in use: Canon D3200
App time per day: 1 to 3 hours

As your handle suggests, you are keen on helping your followers find the best places to dine out, but on a budget. How challenging does it get?
I am always replying to DMs and helping people figure out the right place to dine out and for home deliveries. It does get a little difficult to answer each and every message, but that is what my blog is dedicated to. 

Doing what you do, can food photography get repetitive and mundane? 
It surely does. I kid you not, just to get a photo from each angle with perfect lightening is extremely hard. I end up eating cold food every single time.

Do you feel most of the eateries that are hyped about, are overpriced?
Well, yes. I wouldn’t want to name any eatery here, but yeah, there are a few eateries that are charging for more than what an average person can afford. It’s absurd.

Which food dishes Instagram the best?
A healthy looking bowl of salad.

The most underrated eatery in your experience?
Fuschia, BBQ Tonite and China Ming.

If you were to eat from a single eatery all the week round, which would be your pick?
Koffie Chalet.

@karachi.foodies

Honestly, I didn’t plan to become a blogger, it just happened out of boredom. Since food and coffee are what I live for, I thought to myself it’s time to make use of all these photos of food that I have on my phone and laptop. And voila! I started a food blog because I eat out a lot, and food has always been a passion for me since I was very young. – Sheneir Khan

Followers: 4.6k
On IG since: 1.5 years
Camera in use: iPhone 8
App time per day: I am constantly connected and logged into my food blog 24/7. But for postings, a dutiful hour is dedicated. 

When was the last time you ate something without photographing it?
I have had many days when I don’t feel like blogging about food, and I don’t take any photos, especially when it’s at eateries that I’ve been to many times.

Do you feel that you ever paid at an expensive eatery for experience rather than for the food?
As important as the ambiance and experience of the place may be, food plays an important role as well, because at the end of the day it is the food that matters while eating out. But trying different eateries for the food and experience is always a great idea.

Which food dishes Instagram the best?
It’s all about good angles and lighting. Juicy burgers, creamy and saucy pastas, and well plated beef and chicken steaks Instagram perfectly. 

How important is it to make your feed aesthetically appealing?
I don’t follow a particular kind of theme or aesthetics like many bloggers and photographers do. But it is extremely important to have good quality photos on your feed. Your photos need to make the food look as appealing and tempting as possible.

With food blogging being all the rage and many bloggers embarking on the hobby, how do you plan on standing out?
To stand out from this sea of food critics, I make sure that my logo is on all my photos and I make sure that I am one of those bloggers who stays most active on my blog during the day. I make sure to give my most honest opinions when it comes to food and it is up to the audience to decide whether they agree with them or not.