Shot list &
photo guidance

A quick guide for chefs, dining staff, and marketing teams.

The Basics

Taking Photos for Beans Can

We want photos that show Beans Can coming to life in your dining hall — real moments, not staged shots. A phone works great, and anyone on your team can take these shots.

If someone on your team has a good eye for photos — marketing, social media, a student worker, whoever's known for good phone pics — it's worth asking them to grab a few shots during service.

When to Shoot

Weekday lunch periods,
October 19–30.

Shot List

What to Capture

Staff huddles

Your team talking, laughing, and getting ready before service. Get shots from the front and from behind, through the crowd.

Serving stations

Staff cooking, plating, seasoning, and serving. Mix wide shots with close-ups.

The food

Finished dishes, ready to eat. A few with hands in frame (someone plating or handing off a dish), a few without.

People connecting

Students asking questions, checking out the food, or grabbing a plate. Staff engaging with each other and with guests.

Signage

Table tents, menu boards, or station signs, ideally shown near the food rather than on their own.

Shooting Tips

Getting the
Shot Right

A few quick pointers to help your photos look their best.

How to Get Great Photos

Keep it real. Natural, in-the-moment shots beat posed — capture a littler movement or conversation.
Show a bit of your space — include a hint of the kitchen, the line, or the dining room.
Get a mix of vertical and horizontal shots, and a mix of wide and close-up.
Make sure the food is in focus and looks good enough to eat.
Photographing students? Avoid full faces without a signed permission form — try shooting from behind or the side instead.
Shoot straight on, not tilted.