Discovering the Art of Food Photography in Calgary: A Photoshoot at Cinnamon Cuisine
by Taeva Wiffen
In the vibrant and ever-growing food scene of Calgary, restaurants are constantly searching for ways to stand out. With the rise of social media, food photography has become a key factor in shaping the perception of a dining experience. It’s no longer just about the taste of the food but also about how it looks, how it makes people feel, and how it resonates visually with potential customers. I recently had the privilege of working with Cinnamon Cuisine, an Indian-style restaurant, on a project that not only showcased their revamped downtown location but also opened my eyes to the fascinating world of food photography.
by Taeva Wiffen
Setting the Stage: Calgary’s Downtown Dining Scene
Calgary has long been known for its diversity in culinary offerings, and Cinnamon Cuisine has earned its place as one of the city’s top spots for Indian cuisine. The restaurant recently made changes to its downtown location to attract a more youthful, corporate crowd, offering a perfect mix of delicious cocktails, flavorful dishes, and a revamped modern interior. This shoot was focused on promoting this updated downtown space as a trendy, fun location for corporate events, happy hours, and casual gatherings among friends. Having shot at their northeast location in the past, I was excited to see what the downtown location had to offer—and it did not disappoint.
From the moment I walked into the space, I knew we had the perfect environment to create something special. The blend of Indian authenticity with a contemporary twist in the restaurant’s decor offered a unique aesthetic that begged to be captured. My goal was to translate the restaurant’s vibrant personality into images that would make people not only want to try the food but experience the atmosphere for themselves.
by Taeva Wiffen
The Role of Food Photography in Content Creation
Food photography is not as simple as snapping a picture of a dish—it’s about capturing the essence of the food, the story behind it, and evoking emotions in the viewer. When done right, food photography can be the difference between someone scrolling past an image on social media and someone booking a reservation. This makes it a crucial part of content creation for restaurants.
For the Cinnamon Cuisine shoot, I was determined to showcase not just the dishes but also the overall vibe of the restaurant. After all, a restaurant is more than its food—it's the ambiance, the presentation, and the feeling a guest gets when they walk through the door. I wanted each photo to transport the viewer into that environment, making them feel as though they were already there, sitting with a cocktail in hand and a delicious plate in front of them.
