Product and Tabletop Photography
One of our favorite places to take photographs is in the studio, where you start with nothing and create the setting and lighting all from scratch. There are few other situations that start with such a blank canvas. Before we decide on the lighting setup, backdrop, and any props to surround the item we’re photographing, we work with our clients to clearly define the purpose of the images and their desired style. Once this is determined, we go to work to create imagery that presents the products in their best possible light. Quite literally.
In this post we’ll feature a few examples of in-studio photography and Jeff’s thought process behind the setup and execution.
Cville Band 100th Anniversary Wine, The Spirit of ‘22
The photographs above were taken for The Charlottesville Band as they unveiled a limited-edition wine–created in collaboration with a local vineyard and with a label designed by Erin–during their centennial year. The wine was to be promoted on the Band’s website and featured on signs and postcards at events, so photos were needed of the bottle and label detail. To match the minimalistic label design, I chose a simple background and pale reflective surface in order to keep all attention directed at the bottle itself. I set up the lighting to create strong edges that defined the shape of the bottle, and to add a highlight that flows from the foil on the neck of the bottle all the way to the base. For the label detail, the focus is sharp so that the text can be easily read, and a soft hightlight on the top of the label reflects the curvature of the bottle.
Lone Light Coffee Co’s Alma Guatemala
Here are two pictures I took in the studio that paired together nicely. The subject here was a bag of Lone Light Coffee Co’s Alma Guatemala whole beans, an image we used to promote our own favorite local businesses around the holidays. I used a light background and surface to highlight the clean and spare design of the bag, and to emphasize the golden brown of the label. I kept the light soft so the shadow wouldn’t be too intense. For the coffee beans themselves, I used stronger light in order to create an abstract detail shot with high contrast. While the lighting style is different in each shot, when viewed together they reflect the outside and inside of the product itself. You can almost smell the coffee aroma.
Dramatic Dishes
When working with chefs and restaurants, it’s crucial that the photography does justice to the colorful, fresh ingredients and careful plating. These photos, featuring dishes made by Atlanta chef Jarrett Stieber, illustrate how different backgrounds, compositions and lighting styles can be implemented to create an atmosphere that matches the dish. From striking and contemporary to rustic and inviting, we craft each image to evoke the response our clients seek.
Still-Life and Styling
We designed and printed greeting cards and, in addition to individual shots of each card, we wanted to display them together in a product still-life. We used a variety of props, mostly silver, black, and white, that might be found on a desk to create a lifelike scene while maintaining the focus on the vibrant cards. The aim for styled photographs like these is to look natural, which can be more difficult to achieve than you might think. Every item was chosen–and placed–carefully to work together and produce an eye-catching composition.
Product photography can be a whole lot of fun, and it’s something I’m passionate about. I hope you’ll reach out if you would like to work together, or if you have any questions about lighting, styling, or anything else for that matter!
- Jeff Morgan, Co-Owner & Director of Photography