Tis the season
Preface: If you're curious about my studio work, searching for flatlay ideas, or exploring studio product photography, this one's for you. Plus, with all promotions now live, I can finally share these insights.
One of the perks of shaping design direction at OM SYSTEM is having the chance to drive impactful design changes. This season, we tried something different—a fresh idea from a fellow designer in Finland, who suggested adding more depth to our flatlay images.
In comes bose
Some time ago, I received an image from Kauas, one of the design firms we collaborate with, which sparked an idea: why not try taking a studio shot outdoors with added flash? I’m often torn between heading out on location or recreating that outdoor feel in the studio, where I have complete control over the environment.
Outside
For a test run, I took three Godox AD200s out to Jacobsburg Park to try replicating the Bose ad’s look. It turned out well, but it involved a lot of travel, an unpredictable outdoor setup, and finding a stable camera base was tricky.
THE GARDEN
The next test took place in my garden, where I could use the flagstones as a base. This setup worked best so far, providing a solid foundation and adding great depth. The challenge, though, was space—I needed more than one flagstone, and dealing with the sunlight made control difficult. It became clear that the solution was to return to my original idea: bringing the outdoors into the studio.
Bringing the outside in
For fall promo photos, I made a trip to Michaels, then spent a few hours power-washing leftover flagstone in my driveway to create a solid base for the October shots. The main challenge was adding depth. Eventually, I found that clipping small pieces of greenery gave me the layering effect I needed, while using a snoot on one of my strobes added a textured, leafy-green look that perfectly captured the fall feel.
SOLIDIFYING THE CONCEPT
After wrapping up the fall-themed assets, it was time to move on to holiday concepts—and that’s when things got creative. I made a quick stop at Michaels, just in time for the Christmas decor to hit the shelves, and dug up some old pinecones from a previous shoot. I even trimmed a few branches from my trees to give the scene a more authentic, rustic look. At Wegmans, I picked up oranges, cloves, and star anise (a suggestion from my German colleague to add a European feel). My wife helped by baking the oranges to dry them out, and I finished the setup with a sprinkle of fake snow for the perfect holiday touch.
PROMO ASSETS
ONWARD AND UPWARD
The best part of having a full studio at home is the freedom it gives me to tinker, experiment, and create eye-catching assets. I feel incredibly lucky to have this setup—and even luckier that I get to do this as my job.
If you're looking for studio photography, don't hesitate to reach out, I'd love to work with you.
