Case Study - Friendly Goods.
Client Background
Friendly Goods is a startup skincare line based in rural Maryland. Their products are specifically made to be environmentally friendlier, less harmful to the manufacturing workers involved in production, and better for the consumer than traditional mass market options.
Challenges
As a startup, the client had almost no existing library of images with which to establish a market presence. The imaging that was in hand was of a very limited and unpolished nature. While these unpolished images had benefit to certain distribution models, like Etsy and other boutique style marketplaces, the client felt they needed a more professional and finished look to their branding. It was determined that strong, graphic product photography was needed.
Mood Board
As to better understand the visual language of the client, we asked they create a mood board of existing images that speak to the manner in which they wanted to convey their products. We instructed them not to be overly concerned with the subject matter in the images, but to concentrate on the emotional appeal and aesthetic in the images.
Concept Development -
We reviewed the mood board, and held conversations with the client, covering points such as scope of work, number of deliverables needed and project budget. With that information we prepared a proposal outlining the process, overall look and feel, schedule and cost estimate for the client. This proposal included images, from our portfolio, illustrating how we would execute on the vision as we understood it. The client loved the feel and concepts we presented.
Execution -
Pre-production - The concept consisted of both simple e-commerce type shots on white, as well as more involved still life photography on colorful and vivid backgrounds. We worked with the client to select background colors that fit within their corporate palette - making sure to allow for sufficient shipping time for new colors to come in. Lighting and props were minimal for this job so no special orders or rentals were required.
Shoot day(s) - Product photos and social media photos were shot over a two day period in the studio. Due to prototype availability, those shoot days were not consecutive. That was not ideal, but in the just barely post-covid time of this project, it wasn’t unexpected.
Post production - Product retouching takes some time - boxes are never perfectly square, there are always dust spots, and with this particular product being mostly handmade, there are always small imperfections to be corrected. Minor retouching was done in house before sending a proofing gallery to the client for final selection. Once those product and mood shots were selected, they were sent to our retouching team for final adjustments.
Results -
The images were a big hit with the client (especially the mood photography) and they’re currently in circulation on their website and social media. The client is still in the startup phase of their company and is aggressively marketing their products to retailers with the images we created.
