Product Photography - A powerful way to show your packaging

20th June 2011

Product photography, or packshots as they are sometimes called represent a hugely important section of commercial photography.

The ability to show your product to your customer, client or onlooker is important for many reasons. If its a retail product, it shows a visual of your product, what shape it is, how big, colour and text so that when your customer comes to purchase it, the act of finding it on the shelf is an easy one.

Another reason to photograph your product is to create a ' brand Identity ' this is a popular concept, many people will talk about ' brand ' or ' the brand ' sometimes even relating to a person, notably someone in the public eye.

The studio photographers skill at harnessing the ' brand ' and the product manufactures message is paramount to a successful shoot.

Often a professional photographer in Leeds, where there are many advertising agencies located across the city and neighboring towns, will work in conjunction with an art director to achieve a photograph which shows the product in such a way to satisfy a design brief or marketing concept.

This image of a well known brand was used to illustrate how this process can be visualized. The packaging is black with silver printed text areas, the product is a balm for men to be used after shaving, to add moisture and sooth the skin.

The product was shot on a black reflective background as this was complimentary to the product design and also allowed me to employ the second feature to this shot, the water splash.

This was not an easy shot by any scale, and there were many attempts to create the best splash for this image, some post production was used afterwards to use some of the more successful splashes and remove areas which did not work quite as well, all put together they make for a powerful image which grabs your attention, shows the product well, and creates a photographic image which could easily be used in an advertising or marketing capacity.

So when you embark on your next product photography shoot, use a professional photographer who understands your product, and its concept or marketing idea.

An experienced photographer with studio facilities and the ability to put together a highly successful image should always be sought, never let an inexperienced photographer take on the product photography for your business. Your companies image is important, and just because you know someone with a camera, doesn't mean you know a photographer.

Phillip Shannon is a professional photographer in Leeds West Yorkshire. With 15 years experience working with advertising agencies in Yorkshire and across the UK, working to all types of design and marketing briefs to produce professional product photography.

Points to note about producing product photography

1. Research your photographer well, do they have the product photography portfolio that shows diversity and experience.

2. Plan your shoot, How will the product be photographed?.

3. Can you use backgrounds which compliment the design and look of the product.

4. Is there a message to the shot, can the photograph use clever effects to enhance the final look.

5. Almost a repeat of point 1, but always use an experienced professional photographer.

Please take a look at the online portfolios. Food  Still Life & Product  Jewellery  Creative  People  Locations

The photography of your product can be taken in studio in Leeds or on location at your business address. Areas covered include Leeds, Bradford, Wetherby, York & Harrogate, and further afield. Location photography is handled across the UK to suit your needs.

Contact Phillip Shannon, Professional Photographer based in Leeds for your next commercial photography project. 

Tweet