AIRBNB EXPERIENCES

Food Category Guide

Food experiences provide a flavorful journey into local cuisine and culinary culture. Participants can sample authentic dishes, discover hidden foodie spots, and learn cooking tips and stories from expert hosts.
Participants gather around a table with fresh produce as a host in colorful attire shares culinary tips in a bright, welcoming kitchen.

Activity

16-70mm lens   |   3+ different spots in the room/space   |   Wide, mid, & tight    |   Focus on activity engagement.

Wide   |   16-24mm lens

Include wide images that illustrate the activity within the environment. Try to find straight-on/squared perspectives, and include negative space around the subjects full body.
A cozy indoor dining scene where three people are seated at a table enjoying wine and conversation in a well-lit cafe setting.

Mid    |   35-50mm lens

Get a little closer to highlight the food in action. Encourage moments of engagement and connection. This can include the full body of the subject but without negative space.
A chef in a blue apron drizzling oil over a plate of food with fries and garnishes in a professional kitchen, showcasing a hands-on culinary experience.

Tight   |   50-80mm lens

Get tighter to really hone in on the activity. Focus on engagement with tools, equipment, objects or on the hosts gestures. This can focus more on the torso of the subject(s). It’s helpful when the group is very close together.
A chef demonstrating how to chop tomatoes to a group of participants in a bright, modern kitchen with greenery in the background. On the right, a person piping dough onto a baking sheet during a culinary workshop.

Avoid

A bustling food stall with a chef in a black jacket serving a group of diners near a counter with red tiles and kitchen supplies.

Activity is unclear

An indoor scene with people mingling near a table, surrounded by vibrant seating and a bar area, evoking a communal and welcoming vibe.

Not centered / doesnt work in crop

A group of people gathered at a bar with drink bottles and taps, participating in a food and beverage session led by a host.

Backs of host & guests

Details

35-50mm lens   |   Close up of the action   |   tools, processes, & moments   |   Shallow depth of field

Tools & setup

Wooden cutting board with diced salmon, a sprig of thyme, and a knife, next to a plate of shrimp, edible flowers, and small bowls of garnishes.
A person squeezing chocolate from a piping bag onto a macaron shell, with baking tools visible on the counter.
Top-down view of a wooden cutting board with flour, jam, and various baking ingredients like butter, sugar, and chocolate, surrounded by kitchen tools including rolling pins and a laptop.
Hands spreading a bright red strawberry mixture on a baking mat using a spatula, part of a cooking preparation process.

Cooking in action

Close-up of pastries being caramelized with a kitchen torch during a cooking experience.
Cooking in progress with lettuce and garlic on a pan, guided by an instructor wearing black gloves.
Hands arranging an egg carton filled with six unique miniature dishes, featuring colorful ingredients like herbs, caviar, and sauces, in a food-tasting experience setting.
Two people cracking an egg into a mound of flour on a wooden surface, preparing dough together.

Final product

Gourmet tart with colorful toppings including diced fish, herbs, and bright orange roe, highlighting the final product of a unique culinary journey.
A close-up of a vibrant dish including white rice, sambal, fried chicken, peanuts, sliced cucumber, and a soft-boiled egg, placed on a banana leaf. Pink and clear beverages are visible in the background.
An elegantly presented dish of seared steak with a drizzle of sauce, crispy fried potatoes, roasted endive, and smooth mashed potatoes on a neutral-toned plate.
Close-up of a glass pitcher pouring vibrant red liquid into a cocktail glass with a large ice cube and garnish of a skewered cherry.
Reminder: Only provide close-ups of those who sign the release forms.

Avoid

A tray of dry and overcooked salmon pieces with a red 'X' symbol, illustrating a common cooking error when preparing fish.

Too close

Details that are too close don’t allow you to know what the object is or the context in which they are found.
A spread of flavorful dishes including shrimp curry, yellow rice with spiced meat, and crispy fried balls, displayed on a bright tablecloth with a colorful bird design, highlighting local culinary culture.

Avoid a colorful background

For detail shots, avoid backgrounds with too many colors or overly busy patterns.
Simple artwork featuring a coffee mug labeled 'Coffee' with a lightning bolt above, representing a powerful and stimulating drink experience.

Unreleased branding

Avoid all branding (including clothing logos, signage) unless the host owns the company/IP and signs a materials release to feature it.

Location

16-24mm lens | Front-facing exterior | interior views | Empty spaces without the group
A grid of six visually distinct restaurant interiors and exteriors, including cozy tables, vibrant decor, and stylish layouts that reflect local food culture.
Tips: Take a front-facing photo of the location. Consider using a tripod for interiors if lower than 1/60s. Avoid tilting the camera upward (creating distortion). Focus on capturing straight vertical lines.

Avoid

A kitchen whiteboard with printed recipe sheets pinned to it, showing detailed cooking instructions and images of prepared dishes, alongside a timer showing 10:00.

Unclear location

(Acceptable as a detail)
A coffee roasting station with bags of raw coffee beans labeled with origin details, and a host working in the background near the machinery.

Cluttered spaces

Avoid areas where food is stored that look like storage zones
Signage for a meat market displayed under sculptures of a cow and pig, with text in English and Korean against a wooden archway.

Unreleased signs

Avoid all branding (including signage) unless the host owns the company/IP and signs a location release to feature it

Host

35-70mm lens   |   2+ backgrounds   |   Simple uncluttered backgrounds    |   Straight-on body posture
Two individuals seated on a blue bench outdoors, with a vibrant blue wall behind them featuring the word 'Dayglow.' The setting includes simple and uncluttered elements.

Co-hosts

If hosted by more than 1 person, capture a full body or full-torso composition of the hosts together.
Hands-on workshop setup with a person preparing a drink, featuring minimalist black cups, a white kettle, and colorful boxes on a clean, round table in a bright blue setting.

Environmental portrait

A wider portrait (mid to full body) with elements of the activity present  (i.e wine glass, wine bottles etc.)
Individual sitting in a relaxed pose with a simple and uncluttered background featuring a bright blue wall and a subtle indoor space visible through a doorway.

Standard portrait

A different background with a more standard portrait focusing on the upper torso.
Upper body shot of a person in a white t-shirt and unbuttoned blue denim shirt, positioned in front of a neutral light wall with minimal distractions.

Close-up portrait

A different background showcasing a tighter composition of the hosts head and shoulders.

Avoid

Close-up of a person wearing a smartwatch and a navy blue t-shirt with ocean-themed text and illustrations, sitting indoors against a gray brick wall.

Off-center/angled body posture

host portrait without eyes making direct contact with camera.

No eye contact

Close-up of a person in a blue embroidered shirt, with a blurred face, standing in front of a red wall and green plant. A red 'X' in the top right suggests this is not a recommended example.

Distracting backgrounds

Person holding a bottle of artisanal liquor with a dark label, standing in front of a wall with a poster of illustrated maps.

Posing with item near face

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