Beauty Cosmetics and Makeup Product Photography

Quality takes time, and in the world of advertising or photography, time is money. When your client wants a high volume of shots - whilst retaining that high-end advertising look - the parity between quality and quantity becomes quite the balancing act. This exciting portfolio of cosmetic still life product photography for popular cosmetics brand, Max Factor, showcases a unique collection of technical and creative styles - shot in just 4 days!

Now, 4 days might sound like a lot of time, but you’d be surprised at how much of it gets consumed by set and style changes. So, planning is key here. I collaborated closely with the client to a detailed brief. Once the shoot plan was finalised, I got to sourcing, crafting and developing the bespoke backgrounds and themes. Good prep is a great time-saver, so from day 1, we were able to create these fantastic shots…

A mix of gold glitter, coloured paints, adhesive vinyl, black perspex, gold gilding paper and engraving tools all aided in the bespoke backgrounds. Combined with the technical lighting and a understanding of how to make the products look their best all contributed to some great photography.

The shot above was quite simple to set up but took multiple shots to capture just right moment and required fast flash speeds to freeze the splash the right way. The remaining shots below utilised the remaining materials and props.

If you’re looking for some creative product photography for your cosmetic products or brand but not sure where to start, why not check out my cosmetics gallery for inspiration or search on Pinterest or Instagram for images or styles you like. I’m always happy to discuss your options just get in contact. Some of the best creative still life imagery starts with the simplest ideas.