I recently worked as a Bali food photographer, on an assignment for Kilig, Bali's first and only Filipino restaurant. A great change of scenery from the usual Dutch weather!
The Brief: Kilig has been open for a few years now. But their menu was evolving and their visuals needed to keep pace. We talked through where they wanted the brand to go, and we decided that a full scope would be more suitable: not just menu photography, but lifestyle shots and interior photography too, to give them a more complete toolkit of the full package this restaurant in Bali has to offer.
The Approach: Talent for the lifestyle shots were friends and colleagues of the founders, not professional models. And this proved to be an advantage as this helped the shoot move naturally and organically, showcasing genuine emotions.
The rice field view was treated as a brand asset, not a backdrop. It's part of why people come to Bali in the first place, and a restaurant that can offer that view has something worth showing off.
The Shoot Day: This was the second half of a day of shooting for this client (the other half was a private chef and Ubud villa dining shoot).
Lifestyle photography came first, while the talent was still fresh, rather than waiting around into the late afternoon. Menu photography followed, styled for two different uses: delivery app thumbnails and full-page printed menu photography, which call for different framing and detail.
The Results: Kilig received a complete visual toolkit: styled menu photography for their updated dishes, lifestyle photography for marketing use, and interior photography to show the full ambiance. A full marketing asset to be used for years down the road.
Bali food photographer lifestyle shoot with models.
Food photographer in Bali, shooting a restaurant's menu.
Bali food photography of the talent enjoying his satay.
Eating satay at a restaurant in Bali.
Professional photo of Kilig's chef, explaining the dish to a customer.
Bali restaurant menu photoshoot: satay.
Family/group photo at a Filipino restaurant in Bali.
Someone enjoying her food with the friend group at a Bali restaurant.
Filipino pork belly menu photo - Bali food photographer.
Close-up photo of katsu with curry.
Restaurant menu shoot in Bali, utilizing the restaurant's chair as props.
Mi goreng (fried noodles) menu photo.
Filipino dessert, halo-halo, with a drizzle of the topping.
Ceviche menu shoot for a Bali restaurant.
Macro photo of vegan scrambled egg in Bali.
Filipino jackfruit adobo close-up - food photographer Bali.
Filipino gising-gising dish, photographed up close by a Bali food photographer.
Bali interior photographer in a restaurant setting.
Bali restaurant interior photography.
Interior of the air-conditioned room of a Bali restaurant.
Bali food photographer capturing the beautiful rice field view in the restaurant.
Ambiance shot of Kilig, a Filipino restaurant in Bali.
Big thanks to the team who made this production a smooth & successful one!
Food Preparation & Styling: Chef Juan Gadi and Kilig's team
Photographer: Jem Mantiri
Digitech & First Lighting Assistant: DJ Tanzil
Second Lighting Assistant: Safrisbastian Ndruru
Lighting & Gear Rental: Prop House Bali
Want photos that help you showcase your restaurant's full capability?
Book a free discovery call so I can learn more about your restaurant's needs and see if we'd be a good match!
Book a free discovery call so I can learn more about your restaurant's needs and see if we'd be a good match!
For any other questions, e-mail me at hello@jemantiri.com or submit them via the Contact Form!
