When is the right time to invest in product or food photography?
As the leader of a food or beverage company in North America, you know how important it is to stand out in a crowded market. Your products are the heart of your business, and the way they’re presented can make or break a customer’s first impression. Let’s talk about why professional product photography isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a strategic advantage for your brand.
When to Invest in Product Photography
Timing is everything, right? Here are some key moments when investing in professional photography makes sense:
Launching a New Product or Menu: Don’t just tell people about your latest creation—show them! Great visuals generate buzz and excitement. According to research by MDG Advertising, 67% of consumers consider clear, detailed images to be more important than product descriptions when making a purchase online.
Rebranding or Expanding: If you’re rethinking your brand identity or targeting a new market, updated visuals ensure consistency and professionalism. Case studies show that brands with consistent, high quality imagery can see a 23% increase in revenue due to improved brand recognition and customer loyalty.
Boosting Your Digital Presence: From social media to e-commerce platforms, having stunning visuals ensures your business stands out. On Instagram, posts with professional visuals get an average of 38% more engagement than those without.
Seasonal Campaigns and Events: Seasonal marketing works best when paired with imagery that evokes the right mood and captures your audience’s attention.
Refreshing Your Website or Social Media: Outdated or inconsistent images can hold your brand back. Fresh, professional photos keep your brand looking sharp and modern.
Preparing for Packaging or Marketing Materials: Whether it’s a bottle label, a flyer, or a digital ad, crisp product photos are essential to grab attention.
Photography done by B Creative Collective
What you will gain from Professional Photography
Professional product photography is more than just a pretty picture. Here’s how it creates real value for your business:
Enhanced Visual Appeal: High quality photos make your dishes, drinks, packaged goods look irresistible. A study by Shopify found that businesses with clear and professional product photos see a 30% higher conversion rate on their e-commerce platforms.
Stronger Brand Credibility: Consistent, polished visuals communicate trust and reliability. Customers are more likely to choose your brand when they perceive it as professional and detail-oriented.
Increased Social Media Engagement: Striking photos are social media gold. They help you attract more likes, shares, comments ultimately driving traffic toy our website or storefront. According to Hubspot, visual content is 40 times more likely to be shared on social media compared to other types of content.
A Competitive Edge: In a crowded marketplace, beautiful photography helps you stand out. With competitors vying for attention, it’s a simple yet affective way to set yourself apart.
Photography done by B Creative Collective
The Process: What to Expect
We understand your time is valuable, so our process is straightforward and designed to deliver results:
Discovery Call: We’ll chat about your brand, products, and goals. Whats you'r story, and what do you want your visuals to say about your business?
As part of our planning, we’ll discuss location options. Whether we bring our team to your store, have products shipped to our home studio, or arrange for a studio or outdoor setting, we’ll collaborate to find the best fit. This discussion also helps us outline the costs associated with each choice, ensuring transparency and alignment with your needs.
We will then go over where the images will be used, and how they will be used. For example, if you need new pictures for your website, we will discuss what sections of your website you will use your photos. If it’s the homepage top banner we will make sure on the photoshoot day to take the picture as landscape orientation to ensure there is space for you to have text.
Next we will talk about budget, as uncomfortable this topic can be, we want to make sure we are both on the same page and give you the best package to help you move the needle in your business.Proposal + Onboarding: We will send you a proposal within 5 business days that will include the deliverables, packages, timelines and expectations. Once you review and choose which package is the right fit, you will be sent a contract and invoice for the deposit. Once everything is received we are off the races!
Creative Planning: Now with every good photo has a plan behind it. Together, we’ll decide on the style, mood, and props that will make your products shine. We will create a detailed list of each image we are going to capture on the shoot day. This ensures we are all on the same page and the shoot day goes as smooth as peanut butter.
The Photoshoot Day(s): This is where the magic happens!! Using professional lighting, composition techniques, and styling, we’ll capture your products in their best light-literally.
Editing and Delivery: After the shoot, we’ll fine tune each image to perfection, ensuring they’re ready to use across all your marketing channels.
Photography done by B Creative Collective
Tips to Maximize Your Investment
Here are a few ways to get the most out of your professional product photography and ensure that your photos work harder for your brand:
Think Versatility
Plan for images that work on multiple platforms, like your website, social media, email, print ads, and packaging. Imagine having a single photo shoot that delivers assets for Instagram posts, website banners, e-commerce listings, and even print ads. That’s versatility in action! By planning ahead, you can ensure each shot is adaptable across multiple platforms, saving time and money.Example: A Collingwood Bakery used one photo of its signature loaf across their website, instagram, and packaging. This cohesive imagery reinforced their branding, driving a 15% increase in customer recall.
Tip: Request a mix of wide shots, close ups, and styled images during your shoot to create a comprehensive asset library.
Tell your story in highlighting what makes you unique
Your photos should tell the story of your brand’s unique value. Whether it’s locally sourced ingredients, a zero-waste production process, or an award-winning recipe, professional photography can visually communicate what sets you apart.Example: A craft brewery in Simcoe County highlighted its use of local hops in stylized images of its beer alongside fresh ingredients. This transparency boosted their sales by 20%, as customers appreciated the connection to local farming.
Stat: A Nielson study found that 73% of global consumers are willing to pay more for products that promise sustainability-imagery showcasing these efforts resonates deeply.
Incorporate Seasonal Updates
Regularly update your images to reflect current trends, holidays or menu changes. Just as your menu or offerings evolve, so should your visuals. Seasonal campaigns, new product launches, or changing trends provide opportunities to refresh your imagery and keep your brand relevant.Tip: Plan quarterly or biannual photo shoots to ensure your visuals stay up to date with market trends and consumer preferences.
Example: A Juice bar in Toronto updates its photos every season to feature seasonal fruits in its drinks. This keeps their Instagram feed dynamic, driving 30% higher engagement during summer holiday promotions.
By planning versatile shoots, showcasing your unique story, and keeping visuals fresh, you ensure your investment in professional photography delivers maximum ROI. A single shoot can yield months of content, engage your audience, and build long-lasting trust in your brand.
The Tangible Benefits of Product or Food Photography
Increased Conversion rates.
Products with clear, polished images have a 30% higher likelihood of being purchased online.
Enhanced Credibility and Trust
78% of consumers trust businesses more with professional photos on their website.
Amplified Social Media Reach
Hubspot confirms content with professional photos is 40 times more likely to be shared on social media.
A competitive Advantage
In a crowded market, standout photography ensures customer associate your brand with quality and care, fostering loyalty.
Real Life examples of Companies who have used Professional Photography to tell their story.
Photography used for example purposes and sourced by Coca Cola
Coca Cola
Coca-Cola uses lifestyle photography to sell experiences rather than just their product. Campaigns often feature people celebrating or enjoying moments together, always with a Coke in hand. For instance a summer campaign might highlight friends at a BBQ, emphasizing refreshment and joy. This approach helps Coca-Cola establish an emotional bond with customers, associating their product with happiness and togetherness.
Photography sourced and credit from Nike Website - used for example purposes
Nike
Known for action-packed and motivational photography, Nike captures athletes in dynamic poses that embody energy and determination. Their photos align with their “Just do it” philosophy, inspiring customer to push their limits. For example, a photo of a runner kicking up dirt while sprinting emphasizes empowerment through movement.
Photograph used for example purposes and copy right sourced from Strategizer
Patagonia
Patagonia’s photography communicates its commitment to sustainability and adventure. Their visuals often feature breathtaking landscapes and outdoor activities, showcasing their durable and eco-friendly gear. For example, an image of a climber scaling a mountain at sunrise highlights the type of consumer who purchases their product and the brand’s environmental values.
Image sourced from GQ
Warby Parker
Warby Parker humanizes their eyewear through modern yet relatable photography. Images often feature people wearing glasses in real-life settings, like working in a cafe or enjoying outdoor activities. This strategy helps consumers envision themselves using the product, reducing hesitation in online purchases.
As you can see these examples show how photography tailored to a brand’s identity and audience, can drive engagement, build trust, and boost sales. Whether focusing on emotional connection like Coca-Cola or values-based storytelling like Patagonia, the impact of high-quality visuals cannot be overstated.
In Conclusion
By planning versatile shoots, showcasing your unique story, and keeping visuals fresh, you ensure your investment in professional photography delivers maximum ROI. A single shoot can yield months of content, engage your audience, and build long-lasting trust in your brand.
