Request Brief Guide
Zagat Survey reviews restaurants all over the world and needs beautiful photos of their restaurant listings. Photos are the first thing potential customers look at when searching for a restaurant in a Zagat listing. Your photos will greatly impact consumer conversion for each individual restaurant. For Zagat, listings with beautiful images get more attention & bring more customers to their door.
The Gig Details
If approved, you'd be assigned to as many of these restaurants in your area as you would like to take on
through our Private Request briefs.
If interested, please email zagat@snapwi.re with a link to your portfolio (food photos preferred).
IMPORTANT: In the heading of the email, please write the CITY and STATE that you would like to shoot in. We
will email you back with a creative brief and more details if you match what we are looking for. These
requests are time sensitive -- please respond ASAP if interested.
- 1 Exterior shot of restaurant
- 1 Interior shot of restaurant
- At least 1 main dish shot - chances are you'll get to grub down on the main dish
- If your selected, you'll get paid for each shot, with a guaranteed payment of $52.50 (or more) per location
- Upload more, take great shots and get more photos purchased
Rules to Shoot By
Google's Zagat Directory will be purchasing a minimum of 3 photos for $25 ($17.50 net) per shot. We've developed a set of guidelines to ensure that every photo captured meets the required level of quality & cohesiveness for all listings. While the guide provides direction, your creative eye is important for these Requests.
- Aim to shoot 1/100 second shutter speed and over expose by 1 f-stop
- Shoot with a tripod to ensure consistency among shots
- Use higher f stop to create a greater depth of field
- When shooting images of inside restaurant use a wide angle lens (no wider than 17mm)
- Avoid using a Flash and always try using natural light. If you must, point the flash to the ceiling.
- Be sure that everything is in focus unless you intentionally shooting for fall off
- You can reference vertical lines to ensure a level shot
- You can shoot in RAW; but you must submit jpeg format
- Indoor shots should be taken at the same height (tripod helps with this)
- Avoid excess negative space
- Check highlight areas to ensure nothing is too blown out
- Waist to chest high shots should be used indoor/outdoors. Nothing too high or too low. Allows for level shots
- There should not be movement in the photos from people walking so use a faster exposure
- A human element (like a hand, or out of focus torso) is desired, but avoid shooting identifiable people unless you plan to get a signed release. You can use StudioNow's model release iOS app to help facilitate.
- Something is better than nothing. Try to capture exteriors, interiors, and entrees even if you are having trouble coordinating with management. Arriving with out planning can be a quick and easy way to capture photos of exteriors and may provide you confidence to approach staff.
Food & Entrees
Capturing food can be difficult if you've never shot food before. Follow these tips to get magazine-worthy
shots of food.
1. Emphasize the focal point
Focusing on the front edge of the food naturally draws the viewer in. The "focal point" is
normally the part of the food that looks the most appetizing, something that you would most want
to eat.
2. Shoot with a wide open aperture
Opening up the aperture helps create a shallow depth of field which in turn makes the food you
are shooting stand out.
3. Determine the best angle
If you are shooting something flat like a pizza or salad, shoot from over- head. If you are
shooting something tall like a burger or a beverage, a side angle allows the viewer to see
multiple layers.
4. Try for natural light
Food looks best when shot in natural lighting. If none is available, try to create some! One
idea is to find the brightest spot in the room and then place a diffusion reflector above the
food. Another idea is to use "daylight" light bulbs to mimic natural light.
5. Don't over-Photoshop
The majority of the work should be done with the camera!
6. Shoot Fresh
Obvious, but important. Food photographs best when it is still fresh. The longer you wait, the
harder it will be to get that perfect shot.
7. Add a Human Element (optional)
Adding a persons hand is much more appealing and real to viewers and also allows you to show
scale.
Interior
1. Brighten up the Interior
Restaurants look bigger and more welcoming when the photographed area is well-lit. Light is
critical, so be sure to choose your time of day wisely to optimize for natural light.
2. Shoot into Corners
By shooting into corners you are able to capture an interesting perspective that breaks up the
flatness image. While minding the rule of thirds, use this tip to make spaces look
bigger.
Exterior
The exterior shot is simple but important. Make sure to capture the establishment including it’s sign. Be
sure to avoid capturing neighboring establishments & recognizable people.
Scheduling your arrival
The best way to ensure success is to coordinate with the on-site manager to get approval for the shoot in
advance.
Use these additional tips to help with scheduling:
- Ensure you communicate that a sample entrée is prepared for 1 of the 3 hero shots
- Re-confirm your shoot date with the establishment on the day of the shoot to avoid waiting during the prep of the entrée
- Explain that you have been commissioned by Zagat
- Mention this is a direct partnership with Google (Zagat is a subsidiary of Google) and that this work will improve the establishment's online reach
- If you do connect with an establishment, we encourage you to drop in and shoot as many photos of the exterior and interior as possible
Know Your Rights
All photos captured for Zagat will be purchased as a Royalty Free license. Meaning the photos will be used
non-exclusively by the directory for commercial use without any further compensation. You can use the photos
for personal promotion and use. All photos will be licensed by our Terms
Of Service.