A Michelin-Star Food Photography Shoot at Opheem, Birmingham
There are some shoots that just stay with you — and my recent visit to Opheem in Birmingham was absolutely one of them.
Working with a two Michelin-star kitchen is always going to be special, but this shoot had something extra. From the moment I walked in, it was clear that Chef Aktar Islam and his team weren’t just producing food — they were creating art. And as a Birmingham food photographer, that’s exactly what you hope for.
The Food: Precision, Colour and Creativity
Every dish that came out of the kitchen was meticulously plated, layered with texture, and bursting with colour. What really stood out was how confidently the food carried itself visually — bold, refined, and unapologetically modern.
Shooting against a dark backdrop allowed those colours to truly sing. The vibrant garnishes, delicate sauces, and intricate plating all popped in a way that perfectly reflects the level Opheem operates at.
This is exactly what professional food photography in Birmingham is about — capturing not just how a dish looks, but how it feels.
The Team: Trust, Freedom and Collaboration
One of the highlights of the shoot was the atmosphere. Chef Aktar and his team were incredibly welcoming, professional, and — importantly — trusting.
They gave me complete creative freedom to shoot the dishes in my own style. That kind of trust is invaluable. It allows you to respond instinctively to the food, the light, and the environment rather than forcing a pre-planned setup.
As any commercial food photographer knows, collaboration like this is where the best work happens.
The Restaurant: A Space Worth Capturing
Opheem itself is stunning. The interiors are refined and atmospheric, with a modern elegance that perfectly complements the food.
I made sure to capture a few environmental shots to tell a fuller story — because great restaurant photography in Birmingham isn’t just about the plates. It’s about the entire dining experience.
The textures, lighting, and design of the space all play a role in how a brand is perceived — and Opheem absolutely delivers on every level.
The Challenge: Light vs Reflection
Of course, no shoot comes without its challenges.
The biggest hurdle here was the reflective tabletop. It was bouncing far too much light back into the lens, which risked flattening the image and losing contrast. To counter this, I adjusted both the angle of the lens and the direction of the light.
But that introduced another issue.
With both the table and the room being predominantly black, the light fall-off became extremely dramatic. Parts of the frame were dropping into shadow too quickly, losing detail that I wanted to retain.
The solution was to subtly reintroduce light onto the table itself — just enough to hold texture and depth, without killing the mood. It’s a delicate balance, but that’s often where the best food and drink photography lives — right on the edge between light and shadow.
Why Shoots Like This Matter
In today’s digital-first world, high-quality imagery is everything. Restaurants rely on visuals across websites, social media, PR, and booking platforms — and strong photography can be the difference between someone scrolling past or making a reservation.
Working with restaurants like Opheem is a reminder of why I love what I do. It’s about translating incredible food into compelling imagery that does it justice — and ultimately helps tell the story behind the brand.
Looking for a Food Photographer in Birmingham?
If you’re a restaurant, chef, or brand looking for Birmingham food photography, menu photography, or hospitality photography in the West Midlands, I’d love to hear about your project.
