Let's Start At the Beginning: Refreshing a Brand’s Look

When a company updates its packaging, the visual transition needs to be seamless and striking. A local client recently found my work on Google and reached out for a complete visual overhaul for Funky Monkey Soap—a highly effective, waterless soap designed to cut through grime, dirt, and oil for mechanics and outdoor enthusiasts. They had just updated their labels and needed fresh studio shots, lifestyle images, and a promotional video for their website and social media marketing.

Studio Shots: Precision and Consistency 

We started in my Draper studio to capture the clean e-commerce shots. The goal was to illuminate the new labels perfectly while adding a bit of edge to match the brand’s rugged vibe. I built a setup with a textured background and used a high-key light to create a dynamic, harsh shadow underneath the bottles, balanced by a large umbrella softbox to keep the overall look refined.

Consistency is critical when photographing a product line. I locked down my camera on a tripod and meticulously marked the exact placement for each bottle. This ensured that every variation of the soap sat on the exact same plane with uniform lighting, making the final website gallery look cohesive and professional.

Taking It On Location: Lifestyle Imagery 

Funky Monkey Soap has two main target audiences: outdoorsy people and mechanics. To speak directly to both, we took the shoot on location.

For the outdoor lifestyle shots, I utilized a dry river bed with warm-toned rocks to create the illusion of a remote hiking or camping trip. For the mechanic demographic, we moved to an underground parking lot to capture a gritty, industrial aesthetic. I brought in props like a toolbox and work gloves to make the environment feel authentic, and our model even brought a truck to serve as the perfect backdrop for the product video. Even in a grungy environment, the lighting on the product itself remained clean, polished, and intentional.

The Devil is in the Details 

Every shoot has its hurdles, and this one tested my attention to detail. Funky Monkey Soap comes in two formulas: an "every-day" wash and a "heavy-duty" wash. Because the new packaging was so similar, a mix-up occurred on set, and the wrong bottles were featured during the lifestyle and video shoots.

I didn’t catch the error until I was reviewing the final edits. In commercial photography, delivering an accurate representation of the product is non-negotiable.

To make it right, I went into post-production and meticulously photoshopped the correct labels onto the lifestyle images. For the video, a simple Photoshop fix wasn't enough—so I rehired the model and reshot the garage sequences to ensure the final deliverable was absolutely flawless.

The Final Result 

It required extra work and a longer timeline than anticipated, but cutting corners isn't an option. When the client picked up the products and reviewed the final gallery, he was thrilled. He loved the updated imagery and told me he plans to work with me again on future projects.

Projects like this reinforce that professional photography isn't just about taking good pictures; it's about problem-solving, accountability, and ensuring the client gets exactly what they need to sell their product with confidence.

Need High-Converting Product Photos? 

I’m a Utah product photographer based in Draper, specializing in studio and lifestyle e-commerce photography for local startups and established brands.

Whether you're rebranding or launching a new product, I can help create images that communicate your brand's value and drive sales.

Contact me today and let's get your products looking their best.