Etsy Store Photos
“Kate understood straight away my vision of having the baby blankets photographed in a natural, green environment. The result is the amazing photos I can use on my socials and for advertising the blankets. Thanks Kate for an outstanding job.”
In Autumn 2023, I was contacted by Philippa who is an Etsy seller of hand-knitted baby blankets under her brand Yarnply. Philippa reached out because she was drawn to my vibrant green forest settings. She felt they highlighted the natural characteristics of the materials she works with and would set the perfect backdrop to showcase the details and textures of her blankets.
As someone who doesn’t typically photograph products this was an exciting project for me. I have always joked that I will photograph anyone or anything, even your car, as long as it is in the forest or gardens of my beloved Dandenongs. This was the chance to be true to that statement.
I decided to use strobe lighting for the photoshoot, as it helped to retain the texture and details of the blankets in a way that natural light could not. This also ensured that the colour of the blankets was true to life and not distorted by the green colour cast which can occur when working in such a lush outdoor setting. I set up the lighting equipment and experimented with different angles and intensities to ensure a balance of ambient background light and strobe light on the blankets. The strobe lights definitely bought out the intricate details of the stitches and patterns, which was a key feature of these blankets.
I chose to shoot in the late afternoon as the sun came down between the foliage against a backdrop of ferns and gum trees. This helped to create a natural and organic look that aligned with the Yarnply’s aesthetic and brand. Additionally, the greenery of the forest added a pop of color that complemented and showed off the blankets beautifully.
During the photoshoot, I took shots from various angles to showcase the different features of the blankets. I included close-up shots of the stitches and patterns as well as wider angled shots capturing the blankets in use, draped over a moses basket. I also took images of the blankets hanging over a decorative ladder and curled up on a stool. Some of my favourites were when I hung the blanket from a length of dowel and took detailed backlit shots as the sunset behind.
Once the photoshoot was complete I lightly edited the best images and sent a proofing gallery to Philippa to allow her to select the images she wished to received. These were then processed in Photoshop and retouching was completed.
It was a pleasure to work with Philippa and Yarnply on this photoshoot, and I’m thrilled with the results. The use of strobe lighting and the forest background helped to create stunning product photos that will help Philippa’s blankets stand out in the crowded Etsy and hand crafted goods marketplace.
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