My Journey with Product Photography
As a photographer, there's nothing quite like the feeling of growth—learning new skills, making mistakes, and finally landing on techniques that bring your vision to life. Recently, I’ve been diving deeper into product photography, which, let me tell you, is a whole new world of discovery. It's one thing to capture a person’s personality or tell a story through portraiture, but another challenge entirely to let an object speak for itself. And like any craft, it comes with its own learning curve.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned? Lighting can make or break a shot, especially when working with tricky surfaces like glass and smooth textures. When I first started photographing products, I made the rookie mistake of using harsh, direct lighting for glass bottles, thinking that intense light would create a dramatic effect. But instead, I found myself battling glare and distracting reflections that took away from the product’s beauty.
To fix that, I invested in some courses and classes to fine-tune my skills. I learned that with glass and other reflective materials, softer is better. It’s all about bouncing or filtering the light, creating a gentle wrap that highlights the object’s shape without overpowering it. This softer approach not only eliminates glare but also brings out the richness of color and detail in a way that feels authentic.
When Srendpt reached out to collaborate, they had a specific vision in mind—an elegant, high-end look for their olive oil that matched the aesthetic of their brand. They requested a dark, fabric background to convey a sense of sophistication and depth. To create this, I selected a silky black material that would add subtle texture and dimension without detracting from the star of the show: the olive oil bottle.
Setting up the shot was all about balance. While the dark fabric created an atmosphere of luxury, I needed to ensure the bottle stood out in a way that felt true to Srendpt’s identity. Using diffused lighting, I focused on gently illuminating the bottle, bouncing light off the fabric to achieve a soft, even glow. This approach not only highlighted the rich green-gold of the olive oil but also gave the glass a polished, refined look without harsh reflections or distractions.
By carefully adjusting the light’s angle and intensity, I was able to bring out subtle details in both the bottle and the background fabric, creating a photo that felt natural yet elevated. The result? A striking image that captures the essence of Srendpt olive oil—pure, refined, and grounded in quality.
And here’s the best part—not only does Srendpt olive oil look stunning in photos, but the taste is just as incredible. Rich, smooth, and authentic, it’s everything you’d hope for in a quality olive oil. It’s the kind of ingredient that elevates a meal, just like the right lighting elevates a photo.
With every new project, I’m reminded that photography is as much about problem-solving as it is about creativity. It’s about learning from past mistakes, pushing through challenges, and finding joy in the process. I can’t wait to keep honing my craft, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next!