Uploading Photos

Making your delicious dishes look amazing online starts with great photos! This guide will show you how to easily add pictures to your menu items in Tacoter, helping your customers choose their next favorite meal with their eyes.

How to Add Photos to Your Menu Items

Adding a photo to each menu item helps your customers see exactly what they're ordering, making your online menu much more appealing.

1. Log in to your Tacoter dashboard. This is where you manage everything for your restaurant.
2. Go to your "Menu" section. Look for a link or button that says something like "Menu" or "Manage Dishes" on the left side or top of your screen. [[screenshot: Main menu management screen showing a list of dishes]]
3. Select the item you want to edit. Click on the name of the dish you want to add a photo to, like "Tacos al Pastor" or "Quesadillas."
4. Find the photo upload area. On the item's detail page, you'll see a section specifically for adding or changing a photo. It might say "Upload Photo" or "Dish Image." [[screenshot: Dish detail page with an "Upload Photo" button]]
5. Upload your photo. Click the "Upload Photo" button. A window will pop up, letting you choose a picture from your computer or phone.
6. Make sure your photo is a JPG or PNG file. Most photos taken with a phone are already in one of these formats.
7. It's best if the photo is in square or landscape (wider than tall) shape.
8. Need a photo right now? Use AI! If you don't have a photo ready, Tacoter can generate a placeholder image using AI for your dish. Just look for a button like "Generate AI Image." This is a quick way to get a picture up until you can take a real one. [[screenshot: Option to "Generate AI Image" next to the photo upload field]]
9. Save your changes. After uploading or generating the photo, make sure to click "Save" or "Update Item" to apply the changes to your menu.

That's it! Your delicious dish now has a photo for your customers to admire.

Tips for Great Photos

You don't need fancy equipment to take good food photos. Your smartphone is perfectly capable!

• Good Lighting is Key:
• Use natural light whenever possible. Position your dish near a window (but not in direct sunlight, which can be too harsh).
• Avoid using your phone's flash – it often creates harsh shadows and an unnatural look.
• Show Off Your Food:
• Get close! Let the dish fill most of the frame.
• Try different angles. Sometimes looking straight down on a dish works best, other times a slight angle to show height is better.
• Wipe the plate edges clean. Little details make a big difference.
• Keep it Simple:
• Don't clutter the background. A simple table or a plain wall is perfect.
• Focus on the food. The star of the show is your amazing dish!
• Take Lots of Pictures: You don't have to get it perfect on the first try. Take several photos, then pick your favorite.
• Square or Landscape: Photos that are square or wider than tall usually look best on websites and apps.

Need help? Email ir@tacoter.com or call (800) 503-2670.