LIFESTYLE PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY: COST BREAKDOWN

Lifestyle product photography, or in-context photography, are the styled and curated images you see in magazines, websites, or social media. This is how you create a story or project a certain aesthetic around your brand, create emotional connections with customers, and help them imagine what their life would look like using your product. For a more in depth look, check out The Benefits of Lifestyle Photography.

Using lifestyle product photography to promote your brand

Lifestyle product photography is a very broad term that includes everything from flatlays, outdoor shoots, and shoots with models. But the main distinction is that it speaks to your branding.

That’s why you should always reference your visual brand identity guide and create a mood board when brainstorming concepts for your photoshoot. This will determine the props and backgrounds you’ll use, how they’re laid out, and the kind of styling you choose.

Like Picasso said, “Good artists borrow, great artists steal.” There’s no shame in patterning your aesthetic to brands you admire. Lifestyle product photography is highly conceptual, so a mood board definitely helps you visualize your shoot. Research what your competitors are doing or look to your favorite brands to draw inspiration. Over time, you’ll find a style that’s all your own.

Another way to look at it is to figure out the story you want to tell. Branding is the story people tell themselves when they buy a product, and storytelling is one of the most effective ways to sell a product. For example, a minimal set up with soft lighting evokes simplicity, elegance, and practicality. On the other hand, a more vibrant, maximalist layout can convey luxury and indulgence. Once you have the basic ideas down, you can start thinking about how you want your shoot staged.

But what does it take to put together a lifestyle product photography shoot, and more importantly, what’s it going to cost? Fortunately, there are a number of options available to you if you’re willing to put in some work yourself. You can save quite a bit by opting to do it yourself entirely or hiring a professional to take care of some of the workload.

Some basic product photography gear

Lights, Camera, Tripod: Prices Vary

These are things you simply can’t do without, and prices will vary on the equipment you choose. Like with all photography, lighting is key. Getting the lighting right will save you hours trying to fix it in post-production, and ensures color accuracy. You can learn more about that here. In short, great lighting, whether its natural or in a studio, is a vibe all its own. And this is just one of the main advantages of hiring a professional photographer.

But for those opting for the DIY approach, you could technically get away with using your smartphone, but remember, there’s a reason why mirrorless DSLRs remain the industry standard. We’ve put together some basic budget-friendly tools you’ll need to put together a professional-looking shoot, including tripod, software, and color accurate monitor.

Background, Props, and Texture: Up to P3500

You’ll find that having the right color background can go long way in creating a mood that’s both appealing and on brand. A well-chosen background can complement the colors of the product itself, or provide great contrast to make the product really pop. You can find these online for as little P400 for a 100cm x 200cm roll, and up to P3500 for 9ft x 36ft.

Another simple hack is to create shadows, either by using the product itself, or using props like dried flowers, plants, or whatever you have lying around to add some extra interest.

Sometimes great lighting and a good backdrop is all you need. But adding a few props into your composition can make a world of difference. You can use platforms of different heights to make your layout more dynamic. These go for about P150 per piece, but you can easily craft your own.

Feel free to add little details that help the viewers eye focus on your subject. For example, one common practice is to showcase a product’s ingredients. If a skin care line uses citrus fruits in its products, you can shoot the product alongside some oranges and lemons. Or in the case of this shoot we did for a milk tea brand, we included some of the drink’s main ingredients into the composition for a nice pop of color and evoke a sense of freshness.

Background, props, and texture combine to add interest

Texture is another great way to add character to your shoot. You can use anything from different kinds of stone, fabric, or wood. You can easily source some free samples from cabinet, flooring, tile, or kitchen countertop suppliers. Having said that, you might want to invest in putting together your own personal collection of textures and textiles that you can use over time.

Background, props, and texture are great to play around with, so let your imagination run wild and don’t be afraid to try out new ideas.

Glam up your shoot with a professional model

Hiring a Professional Model: Up to P20,000

Adding a human element to your shoot ties in with conveying the lifestyle you’re trying to create. Having someone model your products for you goes a long way in selling your product. Fees for professional models range from P12,000 to P20,000 a day, but if you have a friend or family member willing to do it for less

Stylists help get you the most bang for your buck

Booking a Stylist: P15,000 to P25,000

Now if you really want to level up your game and make a splash with your photos, then hiring a stylist is the way to go. This option is on the pricier side, ranging from around P15,000 to P25,000 depending on the stylist’s rate and experience. However, a stylist can help conceptualize the shoot for you, provide their own props and backdrops, and even book the models for you.

They’ll also get the job done quicker. A professional stylist will have an established workflow, allowing you to get the most out of your photography team, which means more content and more bang for your buck. Getting a stylist also guarantees professional-looking lifestyle product photography every single time, and that’s always a worthy investment.

There’s no substitute for hiring a professional photography studio

Professional Photography Studio: P7500 and up

You can book a professional photography studio for P2500 an hour for a minimum of 3 hours. This gives you access to the team and all the necessary gear, and you can shoot as much as you like within the given time period. These rates can vary depending on the studio you choose, so make sure you’re clear on what they charge. For example, some studios don’t include the cost of sorting and editing your photos, which is an important step you can’t neglect if you want the output looking as professional as it can be.

The studio will have some backdrops available, but you’ll want to acquire your own props and backgrounds to get the look you’re going for. You’ll get pretty good results as long as you’re well-prepared and your concept is solid.

Another option is to have the studio come to you. If you have a shop or store, you can save yourself the trouble of shipping your products to another location and just have the shoot done where you are. This can cost around P3500 an hour for a minimum of 4 hours. Again, you can shoot as much as you want, and a studio may even include sorting and editing some of the photos.

Ready to take your lifestyle product photography to the next level? Send us a message to get started!