The Coffee Shot
My First Trial in Product Photography
Written on the 1st of May, 2022
In 2017, I began to observe an exciting shift in coffee consumption trends in Kuwait, particularly the rising popularity of cold brew coffee. During that summer, a family member took a bold step and launched her own online coffee business on Instagram, where she offered refreshing cold brew coffees paired with delicious homemade cookies.
As the business gained traction, she reached out to me in 2018 with a request that would challenge my skills. She needed high-quality, eye-catching images to showcase her products on Instagram. At that time, I had no formal experience in product or food photography, which made me hesitant. However, I embraced the challenge, understanding the importance of visually appealing images for her brand's success. I candidly expressed my concerns about not meeting her expectations due to my inexperience. Yet, she encouraged me to give it a try, believing that together, we could create something unique.
I scoured the depths of Google and Pinterest, searching for captivating images that would spark my creative spirit. Most of the many stunning ideas I discovered were shot using high-end photography gear that was out of my reach. However, I was excited to experiment with my newly acquired camera and two exceptional lenses: the versatile Nikon D850, alongside the brilliant Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR lens and the impressive Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR lens. Eager to unleash their potential, I decided this was the perfect opportunity to use them. I relied on my Yongnuo YN560 IV Speedlite, which I used without a modifier to light up the products. I also set my sturdy tripod to ensure each frame was steady and precise during the photoshoot.
Unfortunately, the majority of the images I captured that day didn't resonate with me. I found myself at a loss for creative concepts to highlight her delicious coffees and scrumptious cookies beautifully. However, after spending some time enhancing a few selected photos in Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop, I discovered some hidden gems. The colors became rich and vibrant, and the textures of the cookies popped with mouthwatering appeal. She was thrilled with the captivating results, and after posting them on her Instagram account, her orders from eager clients surged.
Sadly, she made the difficult decision to shut down her operation and close her business account in 2019. The once bustling demand had dwindled, leaving her struggling to keep her enterprise afloat. The soaring prices of raw materials further compounded her challenges, making it increasingly impossible to sustain a profitable venture over the long term. The dream she had worked so hard to build slowly faded away, leaving behind a bittersweet memory of her efforts.
The Gear I Used
