How a Shoot Works

We start with a conversation about your product, your brand, and how you'll use the images. From there we build a shot list and quote so everyone agrees on the plan before shoot day.

We style every product to look its very best on set. Still, a photograph shows your product the way it really looks. Natural and handmade products vary from piece to piece, and that texture and character is often what makes them appealing. Packaged products are the same: if a box or bag has wrinkles, dents or misprints, the camera will capture them.

If you want a uniform, perfected look, let us know before the shoot. A flawless image starts with flawless product, so we'll need prototypes or hand-finished samples in that condition, and the extra retouching is quoted separately.

Every shoot is delivered with a Polished finish unless you ask for something different:

Yes, please do. Reference images from your brand, competitors, or anything you love help us match your vision. They're the best way to make sure we're picturing the same result. Our CPG styles glossary is a great place to find the words for what you want.

Hero product and packaging are essential for the best photo. Hero means your best-looking pieces: clean, crisp packaging with no wrinkles, dents, misprints or scuffs.

Please choose your best-looking units by hand rather than shipping straight from online store or warehouse stock. Retail orders get packed, shipped and handled like any customer order, and they usually arrive dented or wrinkled.

Many brands send us empty, flat packaging that we build on set, which looks far better than filled retail packages. Ask your printer or co-packer for flat samples.

Fixing product on set takes time away from shooting, which can reduce the number of final images and add retouching time. If retail stock is all you have, that's ok. Just let us know, and we'll plan the time to clean it up so there are no surprises.

Yes. Before you ship, snap a quick phone photo of what you're sending and email it to us. If anything needs attention, we can sort it out before shoot day instead of during it.

Pack everything carefully with bubble wrap or a sturdy box so packaging doesn't get crushed, and include cold packs for anything perishable. Product should arrive at least 5 business days before the shoot.

Send more than you think you need. We use product for lifestyle scenes and audition several pieces to find the best one for beauty shots, and some gets handled, opened or cut during styling. For food, we recommend at least two to three of each item.

Planning ahead keeps the shoot on budget and makes sure the final images match what you're picturing.

A shoot day is 8 hours of production. That covers product prep, styling, set building, lighting, shooting and breakdown. It isn't 8 hours of continuous shutter time. Careful setup is what keeps every image consistent and the day running efficiently.

The first setup is where we organize products, style food and props, and build the lighting that every shot after it depends on. It usually takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on how many products are involved and how complex the set is. After that, shots move much faster.

It depends on the number of setups, the amount of styling, and how much the product, props or background change between shots. A simple series on one set moves quickly. Lifestyle scenes, food styling and multiple sets take more time. We'll plan a realistic shot list with you ahead of time.

Absolutely, within reason. Small adjustments are part of the process. Major additions or new setups may affect what we can finish in the day, and we'll talk it through with you before changing course.

Your selected images get professional color correction and basic cleanup, such as dust and minor distractions. Up to 4 hours of retouching on your selects is included at no charge, which covers most projects.

If your images need more time, like reshaping product, removing seams or texture, or creating a uniform look across pieces, we're happy to keep going at the hourly retouching rate listed on your quote. We'll always check with you before going past the included time.

Your delivery timeline is included in your quote, so you'll know exactly when to expect your final files.