In many restaurants, lighting is part of the décor, set up to a certain dimness to create a mood. However, it’s not conducive to good photography, which is why ring lights became so popular overnight among established and would-be influencers.
“When used respectfully, halo lights are great tools for capturing beautiful photos of our offerings,” said Pano I. Karatassos, a cookbook author, executive chef at Kyma and president of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group in Atlanta. However, respectfully is the key term.
Michael Kunz, general manager of The Select in Sandy Springs, Georgia, says, “When working with influencers who are professional, we know they’ll respect restaurant guests, and not use flash and lights in a way that’s intrusive to other guests. If we haven’t worked with them before, we ask that they keep all of this in mind, as our guests’ experience is first priority,” no matter how much clout or followers the content creator has.
“I think there’s a time and a place,” said Mel Toledo, acclaimed chef-owner of Foundation Social Eatery in Alpharetta, Georgia, who pointed out that there’s no knowing why diners are there that evening. While the lights might be helping to showcase your experience, “It could ruin a wedding proposal moment!”
“We understand and respect that influencers have a job to do, and all we ask is that they give us the same courtesy,” said celebrity chef Kevin Gillespie. But, he points out, especially for his Scottish Southern fine dining tasting restaurant Nadair, “Many of our guests have saved up to dine with us, maybe celebrating a special occasion, and I don’t want their experience disrupted by an influencer’s glaring lights and extra requests of the staff. I take my work seriously, too!”
“The lights need to stay at home or not be used,” agreed Farshid Arshid, a partner at UMI and Himitsu in Atlanta, both of which are known for a sexy, dark vibe. The high contrast between the two extreme styles of lighting can hurt the eyes of those who have already adjusted to the environment, creating a safety issue for diners and staff.