Stacking food for height and impact in food photography

Biscuit stack under a glass cloche on a mottled beige vinyl backdrop for food and product photography.

Best shot from a low angle, stacked objects are a brilliant way to use height in your food photography. The best foods to stack are doughnuts, biscuits and burgers...but what else could you try? Sandwiches, sushi and cut fruit could work well too. And what about stacking different shapes and sizes?

Stacking is one of those styling techniques that looks impressive but is actually quite simple to try. Next time you’re setting up a scene, think upwards as well as across – a little height can completely transform the feel of your composition.

Biscuit stack captured by Anna Janecka on our Athena mottled beige photography backdrop

Tomato, basil and Mozzarella stack on a dark vinyl photography backdrop for food and product photography.

Photography and editing tips for stacking

Stacking instantly creates interesting light and shade variations, darker areas where objects meet, with little highlights catching in between.To highlight your stack, try darkening off the back wall of your set with black card placed near your light source.
Play with your light position to add shape and contrast to the cylindrical form you’ve created.
Try side lighting with a single light for a chiaroscuro feel.
Accentuate the shape of your stack in post using masks to deepen shadows and blacks (watch saturation if you push contrast too far).

Styling tips when stacking

An infinity curve gives you an instant base-and-wall setup that’s perfect for low-angle shots – read our tips on using infinity curves here.
A stacked pile can feel quite static, so try adding fabric or a long, flat prop running through the depth of the scene to create foreground and background interest.
Adding an action or human element brings depth and movement – like Anna’s biscuit shot. (You’ll need a tripod for this and a higher aperture like f/11, f/16)

I hope that’s sparked some ideas and inspiration to start stacking your compositions. It’s a simple technique that’s often overlooked, but it can completely change the way a food image comes together.

Explore our full collection of vinyl photography backdrops and find a food styling surface for your next shoot.

Halloumi burger stack styled on a dark vinyl photography backdrop for food and product photography.

Pancake and berry stack styled on a dark vinyl photography backdrop for food and product photography.

Photography by @mademymrmillas