Photo Guidance - Looking for Help

I am a very amature photographer (would sum it up as "one that knows enough to make a mess" LOL). My struggle is taking pictures of menu's. I just can't seem to get it to work.

I have tried different angles, laying the menu on the table and standing up for the photo - you name it, I feel as though I have tried it.

I usually use:

• Nikon, D5100 SLR or
  
• Nikon, AW100
  

Any suggestions or guidance to achieve a good photo?

Appreciate the advice.

Doug

Thoughts....

• pay attention to the minimum photo focus distance for your lens
  
• may need to bring up the ISO in low light and not having a steady hand
  
• have a family member hold the menu across the table for you to zoom in to minimize distortion when shooting at 18mm. You can crop in afterwards.
  
• external flash bounced to the ceiling may be tried.... however not everyone in the room is interested in your interest for food porn