Working with models in a lifestyle shoot.

Today I want to talk about a part of product photography that can be the most difficult and most rewarding style of shooting, the "lifestyle" shoot. Personally with a preference to still life artwork, this is the type of project I enjoy most. This gives me the opportunity to really get my creative juices flowing and create product "art" not just a standard catalog shot.
Creating these types of images involves more time and more money as most models and props aren't free. This Hero lifestyle shot of these sauces took almost 8 hours of studio and editing time. Starting with arranging all the props(food items, cooktop, working surface, stove, utensils, and  background) then lighting the stage before the model arrives. Followed by costume and fine tuning the stage for the models addition. Here are 2 shots from the shoot...

and a shot taken the next day using the same stage...

Here is another product lifestyle of some of the components of a gift box. No food stylist was used as the budget for this shoot was quiet modest.

and the included snuggle blanket.

If you would like to discuss having your products photographed in this or any style, contact me for a free bid.

Is it real or is it Memorex...You decide!

Just recently I was asked to duplicate a digital rendering using the actual product. Digital renderings have none of the limitations imposed by the physics of camera optics. Perspective, distortion, color shift and annoying little product defects can all be eliminated with a digital rendering. The resulting image becomes an unreal,representation of the product. The rendering displayed here uses a logo not found on the actual bottle casting.

Sometimes, as in this example of a hand soap dispenser, the consumer may not be as sensitive to the appearance of the product as say a decor object where the actual object will be on display. Manufacturers are quick to produce these "renderings" as they are relatively quick, cheap to produce from product mock-ups and show their products without defect.

Which you as a seller choose to use will depend on your clientele and products. As a note, you will never see Tiffany's use anything but actual photos in their public facing advertising, highly edited, but still the actual product offered.

Would you like more information on product photography? Visit my website at ProdPhoto.com

Building a New Vision/Website

Now that things have slowed down for the summer and before the holiday cycle, I finally have time to fix the website. Last year during the holiday crunch my old web host decided to upgrade the server os which had the net effect of destroying my Wordpress built website. My new host specializes in Wordpress but without the added fee schedule of many of the other hosts. Add-ons like templates and plug-ins are all included at one reasonable fee. Check out the progress at ProdPhoto.com the pages are in flux so things are changing on a daily basis.

On another note, I had a chance to work with some Waterford crystal for an eBay listing. A small job but fun to do. Unlike most product photos, this was a group shot of 12 pieces instead of the usual single hero shot.

Hero shot by the dozen.

I do small runs of product for many auction sites. Do you have a single item that is rare or valuable and want to maximize your selling price? Call or email me so we can discuss your options.

After Holiday Studio Special

Here's a after holiday deal - - Catalog shots on white, set-up fees half off (now $17.50) and $15 per shot (min 5). Book now studio time at this pricing is very limited.