Steam, froth, and the perfect pour - styling hot drinks may seem cosy and simple, but it's full of technical challenges. Think fast-fading foam, disappearing steam, and mugs that just won't cooperate.
In this Pro Tips episode, 39 brilliant creatives (plus me) spill their favourite tricks for styling hot drinks. From capturing that elusive steam to avoiding collapsing whipped cream and nail polish-melting temperatures, these real-world tips will make your next latte or mulled wine shoot a smoother experience.
Whether you're shooting coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or a spiced seasonal drink, these techniques will help your warm drinks look as inviting as they taste.
Craving more creative secrets? Explore every post in the Pro Tips series here.
What is their pro tip for styling hot drinks?
Before you scroll any further, grab your favourite teacup, find a comfy place, and get ready to dive into this inspiring read!
" Add some steam with a smoke machine. The best way to capture the smoke is to use flash light and use a darker background. "
Maaike Zaal - cocktail-, food- & product photographer
" When styling black coffee for advertisements, I add a drop of dishwashing detergent into a cup of black coffee to make a bubbly version, out of which I can carefully lift some coffee bubbles to place on the hero mug and make it look like a freshly poured cup of joe. "
Meri-Tuuli Väntsi - food stylist, chef, content creator
" Capturing steam can be tricky, so practice with your set, props and steaming hot water in advance to get the lighting and angle right. Then swap out for the actual steaming hot drink. If things don't go as planned, you'll have steam from the test frames to edit into the final image. "
Jella Bertell - food blogger
" Kitchen Bouquet gravy browning sauce is my go-to for coffee, tea, cola. It's quick, effective and budget-friendly for clients. For hot chocolate, I have used both shaving cream and whipped cream and found the whipped cream worked best."
Bonnie Aunchman - commercial photo stylist
© Bonnie Aunchman
" Cold weather clothes a props. "
Lenka Selinger - photographer & food stylist
" If you're adding cream to coffee, be sure to do a test because sometimes different creamers and milks can curdle a bit and cause spots on the surface that need to be skimmed away. I've found better results personally with non-dairy milks making for a nice clean cup of coffee. "
Joanie Simon - photographer
" A cuppa is a wonderful thing but they can risk looking a bit mundane, without stylist intervention. To convey the deliciousness that we experience when having a special cup of a favourite drink, consider the mood of the background and props to set your cuppa off perfectly. Next, consider adding toppings or fancy rims to create interesting detail. If you’re up for a challenge you could try creating steam, an incense stick positioned out of view and backlighting may help with this. Finally, adding hands holding the cup with a glimpse of a cosy jumper, for example, can complete the story. "
Krissie Oldroyd - food blogger
" I love adding steam to hot drinks. I often use smoke from blowing out burning matches or using a smoke gun. Photos with the steam are then added to the main photo with Photoshop. "
Julia Konovalova - food photographer & food stylist
" Steam and aroma
To create an inviting atmosphere for hot drink photography, capture the steam rising from the cup. Pour the hot drink into a pre-warmed cup to enhance the steam effect. You can also place the cup on a surface with contrasting textures, like a wooden table or a cozy cloth, to evoke warmth. Consider using a shallow depth of field to focus on the cup while softly blurring the background, emphasising the drink and its comforting qualities. "
Nisha De Silva - food/beverage photographer & stylist
" I always shoot them at room temp or once they are cooled off (unless you're trying to capture the steam). If you are using whip cream on top, it won't melt as fast if the drink is cooled off a bit."
Kristina Cadelina - food blogger & photographer
" Make sure it's at room temperature so it doesn't steam up your glassware. "
Nikki Jones - photographer
" Microwave a wet tampon and hide it behind your subject for a bit of steam. "
Kirby Mekler - photographer & food stylist
" A special thing about a hot drink is the steam coming out of the cup. I order to photograph the steam I use a darker background that helps me to highlight the steam coming out. The use of rim light is also very helpful. And if the steam is not enough, place a small glass with dry ice right behind your subject. Ah, and don't touch the dry ice with your hands, but handle it with long tongs. "
Anna Ilieva-Alikaj - photographer
" Fresh is the best - all of us know how to make the steam, so, I'm no different on that. Sometimes I add some extra liquid to make them easy to manage for special shoot-types - like pouring or splash. But as technology started growing massively, all of this can be edited in the computer. But I come from an era, where I'm used to apply certain techniques, so we don't need to retouch it. "
Fatula Waluyo - food stylist
" The most challenging part of styling hot drinks is conveying that sense of 'hotness.' Using ingenuity and tools at hand, like a steam machine, can really enhance the effect. It’s also a great idea to work with naturally hot products, as they provide the most authentic look and a cozy feeling! "
Irina Lopik - photographer, prop stylist
" For hot drinks, I like to use bright glasses. Then it is easier to keep the drink itself as the hero of the photo. "
Aino-Kaisa Sihtola - food blogger, vegan cookbook author, chef
" I had the pleasure to work with highly skilled baristas and that makes a huge difference. As much as I try to make that latte art, it's never that good.
Here are some tips:
- The cream foam on top keeps for longer if the drink is cold.
- Pour milk in coffee instead coffee in milk for the marble effect.
- When the latte surface turns bubbly while shooting, it's time for a fresh cup.
- Source nice glass cups instead of ceramic (unless it's a branded shot).
- All drinks, be it hot or cold, don't like paper background. It's better to use something more liquid-resistent. Plastic sheets could wrinkle under heat but it's temporarily. "
Milena Ugrinova (Mim) - photographer
" I typically find that hot drinks don't need to be hot to still look good on set. There isn't as much urgency with hot drinks as there is for cold drinks. In fact, if you want to shoot a hot chocolate with whipped cream, it's actually better to let the hot chocolate come to room temperature so the whipped cream doesn't melt as quickly. It's also easier to heat a drink back up by microwaving it for 30 seconds to a minute. Or, if you need steam for a shot that can easily be faked as well. "
Audrey Marie Bufalini - photographer
"Definitely try to catch the trail of smoke, make sure the lighting is right to ensure this. "
Päivi Leino - photographer, blogger
" The best way to make hot drink look hot is for them to really be hot. It's just much easier. I keep a pan of whatever liquid it is on the stove or use a microwave to reheat it. Before I shoot hot drink or any drink, I make sure to add bubbles to the top. Sometimes you have to add some dish soap to keep the bubbles from dissipating. Just make sure it's clear dish soap. "
Suzy Eaton - food stylist
" For coffee or hot chocolate, use a milk frother or whipped cream to add volume and create a creamy, textured top "
Noora Väänänen - content creator, food journalist, photographer & stylist
" Hot drinks are so fun. I love to capture the steam - but you need to have really hot drink to capture real steam and you should work very quickly! Other tip would be to use shaving cream as whipped cream (when taking pictures of hot chocolate or coffee) because it doesn't melt. "
Kristina Struharova - product photographer, videographer
" For hot drinks, create a cozy set up which would make one crave that hot drink even more. Use props which make you feel more at home and cups or mugs which makes the hot drink more appealing. Try to capture the steam using backlight . "
Basil Hashmi - still life photographer
© Basil Hashmi
" If you want the steam that is coming of a hot drink (or food) to be visible, make sure the light is (slightly) from behind. And work very fast. I also sometimes use a little handheld smoke generator to add steam or smoke. "
Anoeska Vermeij - food photographer
© Anoeska Vermeij
" Coffee often looks greasy if the coffee maker is not 100 % clean. So cleaning is very important. "
Satu Koivisto - food writer
" Smoke machine - so they look hot every time. "
Karen Loza - food photographer & stylist
" If the glass is not transparent we can use tissues or mashed potatoes at the bottom and place the whipped cream and toppings on top.
If it's a hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate sauce leave some space on top so the marshmallows will fit and add enough so with the weight of the marshmallows the hot chocolate will rise show on the edges of the glass. A bit of hot chocolate drips can be added to the edge of the glass if the client is looking for something oozy. The consistency of the sauces added on top should be thick so it will not drip fast and we can create the desired shape (Zig zag or round).
For steam I like to use a steamer or vape.
For coffee foam I have used shaving foam mixed with milk or shaving foam mixed with coffee and brown food coloring if the foam should be brown color. "
Henriett Braun - food stylist
" A dark background and backlighting is best to capture steam from a hot drink. Using fruits in the background with mulled wine or a wedge of lemon in tea adds color and interest to the image. Cinnamon sticks are a great prop if cinnamon is part of the recipe. "
Emily Miller - photographer, recipe developer, blogger
" Drinks don’t need to be hot when photographing them. It’s easier to work with colder drinks and create the appearance of steam using alternative methods. "
Kata Endrődi - photographer
" Styling hot drinks: is all about conveying warmth and coziness while overcoming challenges like capturing steam and maintaining a fresh, inviting appearance. When working on these shots, I’ve found that preparation and creativity are key. Here are some of my favorite tips for styling coffee, tea, mulled wine, and other hot beverages:
- Address the challenge of steam and appearance: Capturing steam is one of the trickiest parts of styling hot drinks. Since real steam often dissipates too quickly, I use a simple trick: microwaved damp cotton balls hidden behind the cup. This method produces consistent, camera-ready steam without affecting the drink itself. Additionally, avoid filling the cup completely—a small amount of dark liquid can mimic the look of the drink without risking spills or overfilling. The first time a stylist used this trick on set.. it was definitely an aha moment for me.
- Perfect the garnish placement: Garnishes like cinnamon sticks, marshmallows, or lemon slices add character to hot drinks, but they need to be placed carefully. Tweezers are the go-to tool for precise placement, ensuring everything looks intentional and polished.
- Set up with a stand-in: To save time and keep the hero drink looking its best, set up your composition, lighting, and focus using a stand-in. Once everything is perfect, swap in the hero drink to capture the final shot. "
Joanna Wojewoda - photographer
" If you want to capture steam coming out of your hot drink, shoot in a cool environment. In the winter, I open the window for a few minutes prior to shooting and in the summer I blast the AC. This really pushes forward the fact that the drink is hot and it also creates an extra cozy environment. "
Murielle Banackissa - food photographer, food stylist, blogger, cookbook author
" Every drink has its technique—cappuccinos, macchiatos, espressos, teas, etc. If it’s for photography, it’s best to work with real products and consider their timing, like the milk foam or the coffee crema. The steam effect for a hot look can be recreated using a smoke machine. "
Oscar Sanz - food stylist
" Backlight is king for getting a beautiful dramatic steam shot, that my personal favorite, because "what's a hot drink without curling steam?" Think about your cups/mugs/tea-ware.
What's going to make your drink look it's absolute best? Out of steam? An incense stick can add a bit of a steam swirl over a drink. "
Anisa - photographer, recipe developer
" Clear mugs / glassware are great for highlighting layers in drinks, such as the foamy top of hot chocolate or lattes. "
Jane Coupland - photographer, content creator, blogger
" Use a portable fog machine.
Where possible, I like to shoot hot drinks with a bit of steam coming out. However, hot temperatures pose a safety issue with photography so what I do is use a portable fog machine to insert mist into the teapot or on top of the drink surface, and use that to mimic the use of steam. If you plan to get one, you can ask me for a discount code.
Kera Wong - creative
" I use freshly brewed drinks for natural steam, and add cozy garnishes like cinnamon sticks or marshmallows to enhance the warm, inviting vibe. "
Shwetha Elaina - food photographer & stylist
" Steaming coffee, tea, mulled wine, or hot chocolate is not only delicious but also visually appealing when the right techniques are applied. When styling hot drinks, the most important factors are temperature, textures, lighting, and the use of the right tools.
The steam becomes visible when you work with lighting effectively. Side lighting or backlighting helps bring out the details of the steam. When the steam gently disperses, the light beautifully highlights its shape and texture. To avoid harsh lighting, use diffused light or a soft light modifier.
For hot drinks, choose a cup that matches the type of drink. A beautiful, transparent glass or an elegant porcelain mug looks especially great, as the shape contributes to the composition. Thicker-walled mugs help retain heat better. The warm, inviting effect of hot drinks can be enhanced by the background as well. Brown, beige, and metallic tones, as well as wooden surfaces or darker colors, complement the colors of the hot drink perfectly. "
Liliána Tóth - food photographer
" I believe that the ideal way to capture a great shot of hot beverages is when they are fresh and steaming. Therefore, take the time to set up the scene beforehand and ensure that everything is prepared for the perfect shot. Or you can use a fake steam. "
Marika Cucuzza - food photographer, recipe developer, content creator
" There is a beauty in real steam indeed - but commercial productions are 100% easier since I got my smoke machine that has different modes - including steam simulation. Regardless if the steam is real or not: using a darker background will help its stream separate via a better contrast, therefore it will be more defined on your image without applying significant tweaks in post. "
Reka Csulak - photographer, stylist, recipe developer, mentor
