Snap, sizzle, repeat: How to host a picture-perfect summer BBQ
Summer is about to hot up — and that means BBQ season is officially in full swing. It’s time to fire up the BBQ for its annual appearance, dust off the speaker, and get the deck chairs out for some well-needed R&R.
After putting in all the effort to have the best summer ever, it makes sense if you want something to show for it. And by that, we mean capturing those sunshine vibes with your instax™ instant camera or photo printer.
From wholesome garden catch-ups with your childhood pals to chaotic family get-togethers, we’re here to let you in on how to make your BBQ photo-ready. Grab your fave iced beverage — because this is the ultimate guide to throwing a summer BBQ that looks just as good on film as it feels IRL.
How to throw a BBQ that’s primed for photo ops
Real ones know that a summer BBQ is more than just the food — it’s a whole mood. If you want to hold on to the summer feeling long after the sun has set, nothing’s stopping you from keeping the good vibes going with instant snaps.
1. Provide food that looks as good as it tastes
Hosting the best summer BBQ is hard work, so make sure you refuel with delicious dishes that look like they could be the front cover feature of a food mag. Everyone loves a foodie pic — and for good reason. We all eat with our eyes first!
Try to find a table large enough to hold your mega food spread, and fill it up as much as you can with colourful small plate dishes, vibrant jugs to hold your thirst-quenching beverages, and easy grab-and-go snacks. When laying it all out, mix and match different-sized dishes across the table for an aesthetically cluttered and vibrant shot.
Want to capture your spread in all its glory? Capture more of your world with the instax SQUARE SQ1™, featuring our neatly framed SQUARE film for a polished look. It’s the kind of frame that’s made for aesthetic food shots.
2. Don’t forget about funny group shots and candids
Posed group shots have their place, but it’s time for candids to take centre stage. A BBQ is the prime opportunity to capture everything from your bestie’s toothy grin mid-cackle to your dad stuffing his face with one too many sausage rolls.
The instax WIDE™ Evo is made for shots like this — in the moment, and unapologetically authentic. With 10 lens effects and 10 film effects to choose from, you can snap away and use its analog-style print crank to reveal your candids in print form. Plus, it’s a hybrid camera, so you can print multiple times — giving has never been so easy.
The best part? You can send your guests their candids as a thoughtful and unique ‘thank you for coming’ gift — to be sent after you’ve made your way through the leftovers, of course. Plus, it’s a hybrid camera, so you can snap and print as many times as you need.
3. Crown someone as The Grill Master
What’s a summer BBQ without someone manning the grill for 80% of the day? We like to call this special someone The Grill Master — the person who takes BBQ management a bit too seriously.
Apron on. Tongs in action. Sunglasses perched perfectly for optimum concentration. It’s almost like they were made to be in front of the lens. Document the whole performance by snapping them in their element with your instax™ instant camera, whether they’re flipping sausages like a pro or plating up veggie skewers with expert precision.
4. Choose the best time of day
Host your BBQ too early, and you may be left with full-bellied, sleepy guests by early afternoon. The best time to host your summer BBQ? Late afternoon. It’s still warm enough to catch some rays, and no one can have too much fun too soon.
Going for this time of day means you can host a long, fun-filled BBQ gathering with plenty of golden hour photo ops for that aesthetic, dreamy glow. Golden hour is also the best time to capture your BBQ decorations like fairy lights, candles, and lanterns with the help of the instax mini 41™.
Don’t forget to use its smart automatic exposure mode to your advantage — this feature makes it easier than ever to snap in low-light conditions without fiddling with settings. Because, let’s be real, who’s got time when you’ve got a sunset to catch?
The ultimate summer BBQ party game with an instant camera twist
When The Grill Master has retired for the day after their hard shift, it’s probably time to bring out the summer BBQ party games. We’re not talking about charades or the classic two truths and a lie — we’re all about interacting and catching the moment.
Introducing… the only photo scavenger hunt game you will ever need.
How to play the instax™ photo scavenger hunt
Give your guests a list of themes — it will be their job to snap a photo representing each throughout the day.
If you want physical prints, you can use any instax™ instant camera or photo printer. And if any guests haven’t jumped on the instax™ bandwagon just yet, any phone will do (we won’t judge if you won’t).
You’ll want to pick summer themes to fit in with your BBQ, like…
- The best BBQ food plate of the day
- Someone eating an ice lolly or ice cream
- The bluest bit of sky you can find
- Someone laughing so hard that they’re almost crying
- Someone attempting their best ‘relaxed’ pose
- The most ‘summer’ pattern
- Something bright yellow
- Something accidentally aesthetic that shouldn’t be
- A photo from a bug’s-eye view
- A photo using sunglasses as a reflection
Once everyone’s captured all of the pictures on the list, it’s time to vote. Who nailed the brief the best? Don’t forget to get the winner a prize, or they can just bask in all the glory of victory.
What to do with your BBQ photos
We’ve spoken a lot about how to photograph food and other summer BBQ photos — but what do you do with all of them? Lucky for you, there are plenty of photo ideas you can try so you can keep your sun-kissed memories close forever.
1. String light galore
Photo string lights will always be in. Plus, they pair as stunning outdoor or indoor decorations for BBQ events — especially if you host them a lot and want to make your regular guests feel extra special.
Once you’ve collated all your snaps from the day, go on the hunt for some string lights and matching (or contrasting!) pegs, and pick out as many snaps from your previous BBQ gatherings as you can fit onto the lights.
Peg them onto the lights, hang them up with pride, and personalise your outdoor space or indoor drinks station with your favourite people in mind.
2. Mini BBQ scrapbook or photo book
Is there a better way to look back on your summer BBQs? We think not. Whether you’re going digital with your phone or living for the physical prints of our instax™ instant cameras, there’s a way to store all your good times between the pages.
Either buy a stunning scrapbook, pens, and stickers, and stick your prints in the old-school way, or create a photo book online with MyFUJIFILM.
3. DIY summer recipe book
Obsessed with the BBQ dishes and treats you whipped up? We don’t blame you. Use your snaps to create a trusty summer recipe book that you can rely on year after year — either using prints in a physical book or online.
Fill it up with your most popular culinary creations and drink concoctions — with your best photos to match, of course — and get peace of mind knowing that you’ll cook (or mix?) up a crowd pleaser every single time.
Make your summer BBQ one to remember with instax™
Remember — the best BBQs are so much more than a perfectly curated playlist or interior-designer-level aesthetics. The things that make the best BBQ photo? The company, the effort, the feelings, and those small but memorable moments.
Find out which instax™ is right for you, and get ready to add an extra seat at your BBQ table for your new photo-snapping sidekick.
