We've all heard the saying "you eat with your eyes first." Tony Burgess from Mythical Pizza puts it perfectly: "Photos are extremely important. People shop with their eyes and their stomachs, so it makes a huge difference." On DoorDash, this couldn't be more true. High-quality photos can be a game-changer for your restaurant's success, helping you stand out in a sea of options.
A recent DoorDash study found that 38% of customers prioritize photos when choosing a new restaurant for delivery and pickup. In fact, from April to June 2022, we looked at over 15,000 small restaurants and discovered menus with photos get up to 44% more monthly sales.
“As a consumer, when I scroll through menus and something really catches my eye, that's what I'm going to order for dinner that night.”
What is DoorDash's free photoshoot service?
We get it – professional photography can be expensive. That's why we're offering a free photoshoot service in which a professional photographer comes to your restaurant to help you showcase your delicious dishes. Here's what you get:
Up to 20 mouthwatering photos of your menu items
A header shot of your store to make your store page pop
All at no cost to you (except for the food, which we'll get to later)
With this service, not only can you use these photos on DoorDash, but also on your website, social, and more. You cannot use the photos on any other third-party delivery platforms.
How do I request a free DoorDash photoshoot?
If you don’t have a lot of menu photos, you may see a Book a free photoshoot button on an item in the Merchant Portal. Alternatively, you can:
Click here: Schedule a free photoshoot to request one now.
2. Next, you'll need to fill out a quick form with:
Your email
Store name
Name of the person coordinating the photoshoot
Their email and phone number
3. Select Submit, and we'll email you a scheduling link to choose your desired photoshoot day and time. Expect to hear from us within 48 business hours.
Around two days after your menu photoshoot, you will receive the photos via email.
How should I prepare for my photoshoot?
Here are some general pointers to ensure your photoshoot goes smoothly:
Choose your stars: Pick your most popular dishes or ones you really want to highlight, such as items without photos.
Prep your space: Clean and tidy the area where you'll be shooting.
Be ready to plate: The photographer will capture your food as you present it, so bring your A-game in plating.
Feature lunch specials: If you offer lunch or happy hour specials, include these menu items in your photoshoot. Since our research shows photos help increase sales, they could attract more daytime customers and help you increase orders during less rushed periods.
Showcase seasonal offerings: If you have seasonal dishes or limited-time offers, consider featuring these to keep your menu fresh and exciting.
Fill in the gaps: If you already have some photos but not a complete set, use this opportunity to photograph items that aren't yet represented visually.
Think beyond DoorDash: While these photos will look great on your DoorDash menu, you can also use them for:
Your restaurant's Instagram and other social media accounts
Your own website
Print menus or in-store displays
Marketing materials like flyers, local ads, or DoorDash campaigns
You cannot use them on other third-party platforms/our competitor sites
Remember, investing in the cost of food and your time for this photoshoot can pay off in multiple ways:
Increased sales: As we mentioned earlier, menus with photos can see up to 44% more monthly sales.
Enhanced brand image: Professional photos can elevate your restaurant's perceived quality and appeal.
Multi-channel marketing: You're getting versatile marketing assets that can be used across various channels, not just on DoorDash.
Long-term value: These photos can serve you for months or even years, attracting customers long after the initial investment.
By thinking strategically about which items to photograph and how you'll use the images, you can maximize your return on your investment of time and food in this free photoshoot service.
How do I reach out to support for photo-related issues?
If you need help with any photo-related issues, you can reach out to our photo team for support. Here's how:
Log in to the Merchant Portal.
Navigate to the Menu Manager section.
Click Get Menu Help at the bottom right corner of your screen.
Our photo team can assist you with various photo issues, including scheduling or rescheduling photoshoots, getting photos approved, or handling any concerns about your photoshoot images.
Free photoshoot FAQs
Do I need to be present during the photoshoot?
Yes, we need someone from your restaurant who knows your menu and DoorDash listings to be there. They'll help identify dishes correctly and guide the photographer on presentation. This ensures your food is accurately represented. It could be you, your manager, or another knowledgeable team member – whoever can best showcase your menu.
How can I reschedule or cancel my photoshoot?
No worries if you need to change your photoshoot date. There's no penalty for rescheduling and you can connect directly with the photographer to find a new time that works for you.
If the photographer needs to reschedule, we'll let you know by phone and email. We take these commitments seriously – photographers who cancel or don't show up may not be booked for future photoshoots.
If you have any trouble rescheduling or need help, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team, and let us know what happened. We'll get that arranged for you as soon as possible.
Can I choose which images will be published on my listing page?
We will upload images from the photoshoot for you. You can edit or replace any images in the Merchant Portal at any time.
What will happen to my existing images?
We will upload images from the photoshoot for you onto your DoorDash menu. Keep in mind that these new photos will replace any existing ones for the items we photograph. If there are current photos you'd like to keep, it's best not to include those items in the photoshoot.
Can I get copies of my photoshoot images and use them on other websites?
We would be happy to provide you with the images from your photoshoot! Around two days after your photoshoot, the photos will be emailed to you. All photos will include a DoorDash watermark. These images are yours to keep, however, you may not use the photos on any other third-party delivery platforms.
According to our 2024 Restaurant Online Ordering Trends Report, Consumers' reliance on food photos has increased 11% year-over-year, solidifying the importance of high-quality menu images. DoorDash's free photoshoot service gives you a chance to show off your dishes in the best light possible across our site and yours. With professional photos, you're not just sharing your menu – you're telling your restaurant's story and inviting customers to experience your food before they even place an order.
Ready to upload your photos? Learn How to Add DoorDash Photos.
