Rosado Red Wine from Tenerife in the Canary Islands. These wine bottles and the glasses behind them are shot with a Nikon Z5 and photo edited in Lightroom.

How to Take Stunning Wine Photos Like a Pro

ByHilary

Elevate Your Wine Photography: Tips for Captivating Shots


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Ever wonder how to photograph wine?

Wine photography is an art—capturing the rich tones, reflections, and elegant labels of a wine bottle can make all the difference in showcasing a brand, telling a story, or making your wine adventures look stunning. Whether you’re photographing for social media, your blog, or an online shop, this guide will help you achieve professional-quality shots with just a few key techniques using your native photo editor.

Be sure and follow me on Instagram @MyWineWalk for more tips, wine pairings, and wine reviews!

1. Lighting: The Secret to Great Wine Photography

DO:

  • Use soft, diffused lighting to avoid harsh reflections.
  • Position a light source (like a window or softbox) at a 45-degree angle to the bottle.
  • Use a white reflector or foam board on the opposite side to balance shadows.

DON’T:

  • Avoid using direct flash—it creates glare on the bottle.
  • Don’t shoot under harsh overhead lighting; it causes unwanted reflections.

Pro Tip: If you see unwanted reflections, try using a black foam board on the sides to create a moody, high-end look.

Rosado Red Wine from Tenerife in the Canary Islands. These wine bottles and the glasses behind them are shot with a Nikon Z5 and photo edited in Lightroom. Stunning Wine Photos.

2. the ideal wine photo Background & Composition

The background of your wine photo plays a crucial role in setting the mood and drawing attention to the bottle. A cluttered or distracting background can take the focus away from the wine, while a well-chosen one can enhance its appeal.

  • Minimalist Backgrounds: A plain black or white backdrop creates a clean, professional look that highlights the bottle’s details. Ideal for product photography.
  • Textured Backgrounds: Wood, marble, slate, or linen can add warmth and depth, making the image feel inviting.
  • Themed Backgrounds: Match the background to the wine’s personality. For example, use rustic wood for a bold red or a sunlit table for a crisp white.
  • Outdoor & Vineyard Settings: Natural surroundings like a vineyard, a sunset, or a picnic scene tell a richer story and make the wine feel experiential.
Joel Gott Rose wine bottle photography in spring flowers

Composition Tips:

  • Rule of Thirds: Place the wine bottle slightly off-center for a balanced shot.
  • Leading Lines: Use props like a wine glass, a cutting board, or a napkin to create natural lines that draw the viewer’s eyes toward the bottle.
  • Depth & Layering: Add foreground and background elements like blurred wine glasses, grapes, or candles to create a three-dimensional effect.
  • Negative Space: Leaving open space around the bottle can make the composition feel elegant and uncluttered.

Pro Tip: A dark background = luxury vibe, while a bright background = fresh & modern.

3. Best Camera Settings & Angles for wine photos

Best Angles:

  • Straight-on shot: Perfect for clear label visibility. Be sure and shoot low. Angle your camera looking up at the bottle to make it look like the hero!
  • 45-degree angle: Adds depth and dimension.
  • Overhead shot: Great for flat-lay compositions with food or glasses.
Hahn Pinot Noir bottle photography in woods

Camera Settings for Crisp Shots:

  • Aperture: f/5.6 to f/8 for a sharp bottle focus.
  • ISO: Keep it low (100-400) to avoid grain.
  • Shutter Speed: At least 1/60s with a tripod for steady shots.

Pro Tip: If using a phone, enable portrait mode for a blurred background effect. And flip your phone upside down so that you can make the bottle look taller.

4. Wine Photo Styling & Presentation

Styling your wine bottle photo is where you bring emotion and storytelling into the image. A well-styled scene can transport your viewer into the experience of enjoying that particular wine.

Enhancing Mood & Atmosphere of the wine bottle

Match the Mood to the Wine: Reds work well with warm tones, evoking coziness, romance, or rich flavors. Whites and rosés pair beautifully with cool tones, creating a crisp, refreshing feel. You can see some examples of this in my blog post on Woodinville’s Hidden Gem’s and how the mood varies between the different wineries.

Use Natural Elements: Wood, marble, linen, or even rustic table settings can add texture and elevate the aesthetic.

Think About the Setting: Are you capturing a cozy winter wine moment by the fire? A summer picnic with a chilled rosÊ? Let the surroundings tell part of the story.

Benson Vineyards Viognier Wine Bottle Photography at the Beach in the sand. Stunning Wine Photo

Adding Personal Touches for Stunning Wine Photos

Include Human Elements: A hand pouring the wine, a filled glass in the background, or even the wine being shared among friends adds warmth and connection.

Incorporate Wine Culture: Scatter some corks, use an open bottle with a corkscrew beside it, or add a partially filled glass to show that the wine is being enjoyed.

Tell a Story Through Props: A cozy knit blanket can suggest a winter evening by the fire, while fresh citrus slices or flowers can hint at the bright notes of a crisp white wine.

Practical Styling Tips for Great Wine Photos

Clean the Bottle! Wipe off fingerprints and dust for a flawless look.

Control Condensation: If you want that refreshing “chilled bottle” effect, lightly mist the bottle with water and glycerin to keep droplets from evaporating too quickly.

Use Strategic Placement: Arrange props around the wine without overcrowding the shot, keeping the bottle as the focal point. See my sample of RosÊ wine in my blog post RosÊ Revealed.

Pro Tip: A few water droplets on the bottle make it look freshly chilled, while a softly lit background enhances the mood.

5. photo Editing for the Perfect Final Touch

I can’t say enough about the value of editing your wine photos after. There are so many apps out there to hep you. I always start with the native app on my iPhone. It will help you edit the basics of your wine photos like cropping, leveling, and the auto adjust will be your best friend. After that, a great image is about your preferred style. Be sure and check out some additional photo editing softwares like Snapseed, Lightroom, or Camera+. There are some great free apps out there that help you find your personal style.

Wine Photos Editing Steps:

  • Auto button is your friend and the easiest thing, just one click.
  • Cropping is important. Be sure and simplify your view but removing out unnecessary things.
  • Straighten! It’s so simple but many people forget to straighten out the image.
  • Too dark? Use the exposure and make it brighter.
  • Increase brightness & contrast to make details pop.
  • Sharpen the text on the label for readability.
  • Use apps like Lightroom, Snapseed, or Camera+ to fine-tune colors.

Pro Tip: Use Lightroom presets for a consistent aesthetic on Instagram. I can’t tell you how much Lightroom has saved my photos. Especially when I have to take them in the dark and the white balance is off. The latest AI recommended presets are amazing and easy to use. It’s also great if you want to do fine photo adjustments like whitening teeth, or brightening the eyes.

Here’s an example of a bottle shot I took at a local restaurant, the Windmill Bistro in Sumner, WA. It was dark with very little light and I couldn’t find a window to light up the bottles. A little editing with the camera and what a difference it makes!

Windmill Bistro Private Wine Selection Tasting and Review Icon Red and White Wine

Wine Photography Photo Shot List

Wine Photo Angles & Compositions:

  • Straight-on bottle shot (label-focused)
  • 45-degree angle shot for depth
  • Overhead flat lay with glasses & food
  • Close-up of the wine pouring into a glass
  • Side-by-side comparison of different vintages
  • Wine bottle with cork and corkscrew nearby
  • Wine bottle in a natural vineyard setting
  • Hands holding the bottle for a lifestyle feel

Photo Lighting Variations:

  • Soft natural light for a fresh look
  • Dramatic moody light with a dark background
  • Golden hour glow for warmth
  • Backlit silhouette of a wine glass

Wine Storytelling Shots:

  • Wine bottle next to a half-filled glass
  • A toast with multiple glasses clinking
  • Wine bottle surrounded by charcuterie and cheese
  • Open bottle with the cork lying beside it
  • Aesthetic shot with a vineyard view

Final Thoughts & Bonus Wine Photography Tips

  • Always take multiple shots at different angles.
  • Experiment with lighting setups for the best results.
  • Consider a minimalist or storytelling approach based on your brand’s aesthetic.
  • AND HAVE FUN!

Be sure and follow me on Instagram to see my latest photos and techniques

#winephotography #photographytips #photography101 #iphonephotographytips #Wine #RedWine #WhiteWineÂ