You can book a free professional photoshoot through the DoorDash Merchant Portal to showcase your best dishes and attract more customers. A photographer will visit your restaurant, capture up to 20 high-quality menu images, and deliver them directly to you within two business days — all at no cost to you.
Why great photos matter
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."
Strong visuals are good for business. Merchants who add photos to their menu items on DoorDash see up to a 44% lift in monthly sales compared with items without photos, and merchants who add videos to DoorDash see a 3% increase in sales on average.
Professional photos not only make your food look appetizing but also build trust with customers browsing your menu for the first time.
“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?
Professional photography can be expensive, so DoorDash offers a free photoshoot service. When you book, a professional photographer will come to your restaurant to capture:
Up to 20 photos of your top menu items
One header image of your store to make your store page stand out
Your photos can be used on your DoorDash store page, your website, social, and more. You cannot use the photos on any other third-party delivery platforms.
If you’re on the Premier pricing plan, you’ll also receive a $200 credit* that can help offset food or styling costs for your shoot.
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 follow this link: Schedule a free photoshoot.
You’ll be prompted to fill out a quick form, including:
Your email
Store name
Name of the person coordinating the photoshoot
Their email and phone number
Once submitted, we'll email you a scheduling link to choose your desired photoshoot day and time. Expect to hear from us within two business days.
Around two days after your menu photoshoot, you will receive the photos via email.
How should I prepare for my photoshoot?
Here are some tips 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 show them your absolute best.
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
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.
As mentioned above, if you’re on the Premier pricing plan, you will receive a $200 credit that can be used to cover additional costs like food and styling, meaning you can take advantage of this professional photoshoot at no additional cost to your business.*
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.
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.
Log in to the PortalReady to upload your photos? Learn How to Add DoorDash Photos.
