How to photograph Sous Chef

This is the ultimate guide on how to photograph professionals and Sous Chef. As always, when taking pictures of people there are things to think about and below you will also find both camera and lens recommendations.

When trying to capture certain professionals you want the picture and the surroundings to say something, showing the audience that this is a Sous Chef and not something completely different. Perhaps the Sous Chef has an enviroment that you can clearly connect to their profession. A baker has his bakery, a pilot his cockpit and so on.

A professional portrait does not have to be a direct portrait, and if you are photographing the Sous Chef - just let him or her work as usual and you will try to capture them in their everyday life as Sous Chef? Of course, you can combine the editorial pictures with more portrait like pictures to get a complete coverage of the Sous Chef.

When taking editorial pictures it is really nice to have either a wide angle (such as 14-24 or 16-35mm) or a standard zoom lens (24-70mm etc). That will give you a lot of coverage in most situations and enviroments.

Moving on to the portraits it is really nice to use lenses with a maximum aperture value around f/1.2, f/1.4, f/1.8 or f/2. When using lenses like this you can really make the eyes or details to pop out and be sharp and crisp while the rest of the image can be a bit blurry. And this can both be standard prime lenses (as 35mm/f1.4, 50mm/f1.8 etc) as well as telephoto prime lenses (such as 85/f1.8, 105/f2.8 etc).

And remember, it is always worth getting a bit uncomfortable in order to get the best picture of the Sous Chef. Ask the Sous Chef if you can join them for a working day, no matter where and in what surroundings. Dare to get a bit dirty and your clients will definately appreciate the effort afterwards.

Best cameras for photographing Sous Chef

Perhaps you already have a camera but here are some popular camera alternatives that might be suitable for photographing professionals and Sous Chef.

Sony Alpha a7C Sony Alpha a7C
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2020
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full frame


Fujifilm GFX 50S II Fujifilm GFX 50S II
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2021
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Medium Format (0.79x)


Fujifilm X-H2 Fujifilm X-H2
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2022
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: APS-C (1.5x)


Fujifilm X-A5 Fujifilm X-A5
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2018
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: APS-C (1.5x)


Sony Alpha a6100 Sony Alpha a6100
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2019
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: APS-C (1.5x)


Best lenses for photographing Sous Chef

Here are some popular lenses that might suit your needs when photographing professionals and Sous Chef. You can also view all of our lenses or start by selecting your camera and then see which lenses that are compatible.

Canon EF 50mm F1.8 STM Canon EF 50mm F1.8 STM
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2015
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 50 mm


Nikon AF 50mm F1.8 D Nikon AF 50mm F1.8 D
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2002
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 50 mm


Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2013
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 55 mm


Canon EF 24mm F1.4 L II USM Canon EF 24mm F1.4 L II USM
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2008
Wide Angle Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,4
Focal Length: 24 mm


Nikon AF-S DX 35mm F1.8 G Nikon AF-S DX 35mm F1.8 G
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2009
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 35 mm


Images of other professionals

Here are a few images of professionals that might inspire you. Perhaps these can give you ideas on how to best photograph your Sous Chef? Click on the image you want to know more about. Each image has information with which camera and lens they were shot and with which settings.

Carpenter is using a grinder to cut some metal See camera and lens details
1/100s  20mm  f/5,6

An asian teacher is educating her students in the forest See camera and lens details
1/200s  150mm  f/4,5

A trader at a desk with three monitors and a laptop See camera and lens details
1/80s  35mm  f/4

A fisherman is heading out in the morning and laying out his nets See camera and lens details
1/400s  220mm  f/11

A dentist is examing a male patient See camera and lens details
1/60s  56mm  f/4,5

Computer Specialist is inserting a new graphic card into his computer See camera and lens details
1/100s  50mm  f/4,5

Chef in his workspace - the restaurant kitchen See camera and lens details
1/20s  24mm  f/4

Hotel Receptionist is answering the phone See camera and lens details
1/80s  48mm  f/2,8

Electrician in glasses is adjusting a wall outlet See camera and lens details
1/320s  17mm  f/3,5

Dough and flour on table See camera and lens details
1/50s  50mm  f/3,5

Soldier is hiding behind some rubble See camera and lens details
1/1000s  85mm  f/2,8

Painter is painting outside a store See camera and lens details
1/250s  50mm  f/7,1

Airline Pilot is approaching New York in his simulator See camera and lens details
1/60s  26mm  f/3,5

Portrait of a female CEO See camera and lens details
1/160s  105mm  f/9

Architects are reviewing their project See camera and lens details
1/250s  24mm  f/2,8