MO_Studios_CO_UKLifestyle photography is one of the best ways to showcase the creativity of your products. No two creative concepts for photoshoots are the same either, making them so enjoyable to put together. This blog will showcase a creative photoshoot that involved bringing the forest setting into our photography studio in Birmingham.
One of the first actions when starting any creative photoshoot project is the idea. Our client wanted to showcase its new camouflage range of caps in its natural habitat of the outdoors. As our studio is in the centre of Birmingham, we decided to bring the wilderness inside.
Despite how difficult it may sound to start building something natural indoors, it can bring many benefits for photographers. One benefit of indoor photoshoots is absolute control over the lighting. The sun can be challenging to use if you want consistent lighting as it moves positions during the day.
Setting up for the photoshoot
We collected our props for the photoshoot from a local park and our gardens. When collecting props from the outdoors, you must have the necessary permission to take what materials you need. Materials such as plants, moss and logs can be home to thousands of species. Disrupting this habitat could not only get you into trouble but potentially cause damage to the natural ecosystem.
Setting up the props in the studio can be messy, especially when working with soil. When taking product photography, you can be handling all sorts of props, such as glitter to dried flowers. One of the best ways to limit tidying up time is by purchasing some tarpaulin. (Making tidying up easier is essential when you have a busy schedule.)
We started by doubling up our tarp to fit the desired space and then marked out the corners of the frame using a live view to ensure we filled the structure without wasting materials. Next, we set the scene with a base layer of soil. Then, we added sheets of moss; your moss/flowers must be fresh or preserved. Using dry or fake flowers can be unconvincing if you plan to keep them in focus; however, fake flowers are a great option if the flowers are out of focus. For example, fake flowers are used in the product photo below. The photo uses artificial flowers in the background of this photoshoot. However, the flowers aren’t in focus, giving the impression of a beautiful vase of fresh flowers.
Adding in the products for the photoshoot
Using larger logs to lift the caps, we built up the moss using twigs and dried leaves to create a beautiful forest effect. Then it was a matter of adjusting the positioning of the hats until the hats looked aesthetically pleasing. Our client wanted to include some negative space as these photos will eventually become a banner with text.
Due to the material, the hats have a good structure. However, we utilised card strips on the mesh caps and stuffing to fill out the fabric to give them more shape. Filling out the caps also allows us more creative photoshoot freedom with placement.
Next, we put together lighting that mimics how the sun cuts through trees’ branches and onto the forest floors. We achieved this by using a bare bulb and a white card with a cut-out rectangle which directed the light like streams of sunlight toward the props. We also created a rim light around the larger logs to create more depth with the lighting whilst still maintaining the natural lighting.
After some repositioning of the caps, it was time for the photoshoot to begin. We took the initial image for the background and then individual shots of each hat with a spotlight on each hat. The additional shots of the hats will allow us to use post-production to make the caps pop out within the background without altering the stunning “sunlight” effect.
Final Result
After editing, this is the final result of the creative photoshoot. Let us know what you think below or on our social media. Are you looking for more of our photoshoot blogs? Visit here.
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