Some product images start with a concept. This one began with a memory.
A few months ago, my wife and I took a short break in Venice. It wasn’t a photography trip, though, of course, I took my camera. Venice is impossible to ignore with a lens. The light bounces off the canals in the morning. Shadows stretch across stone walkways in the late afternoon. Every corner reveals something new. It’s a place made for visual storytelling.
Like most visitors, we were encouraged to try the Aperol Spritz. Bright, fizzy, bitter-sweet, and very orange, it felt like the drink of the city. And while I captured plenty of photos in Venice, I somehow didn’t take a single image of the spritz. So when we got back, I brought that idea into the studio.
Translating Travel into Studio Product Photography
This wasn’t a brief from a client. It was a technical challenge to recreate the feel of Venice in a single hero product image. The aim was to tie memory and method together in one clean studio shot, featuring a bottle of Aperol and a glass of spritz styled simply with ice and orange.
The result sits somewhere between lifestyle product photography and packshot photography, designed for commercial use but layered with mood and intent. That’s the balance I often look for in studio product photography, something structured, but not sterile.
The Lighting Setup – Technical Breakdown
The final image was produced in my studio photography Bentwaters setup, using Godox lighting to create controlled highlights and dramatic shape.
Equipment and Positioning:
- Key Light: Godox bare bulb, placed high front-left, unmodified for crisp shadow and specular control
- Edge Lights: Two strip boxes placed behind left and right, each softened through an additional diffusion panel to give a gentle rim light on the bottle and glass
- Background Spot: Rear-mounted Godox spotlight to light the background and introduce separation between the bottle and backdrop
This arrangement gave edge definition, clarity on label details, and clean shadows, all crucial for professional product photography where glass and liquid are involved. The lighting also mimicked the kind of warm, directional sunlight I’d seen in Venice, particularly in the late afternoon.
Styling and Studio Workflow
The styling was kept simple: chilled glass, fresh orange slice, and a clean base with a bold red background to match the brand’s aesthetic. The red also helped the amber tones of the drink pop visually, something essential for ecommerce product photography, where the image needs to catch the eye in seconds.
Post-production included minor clean-up, shadow control, and delivery in both high-res TIFF and web-ready JPEG. I used the same naming conventions and batch specs I apply across client projects.
This workflow mirrors the setup I use for ongoing product photography for Suffolk clients, whether they need 1 image or 100. Every shot is repeatable, with lighting templates and shoot notes logged for consistency across sessions.
Curious about how the Aperol hero image came together? Here’s a short behind-the-scenes video showing the lighting layout and studio environment used to create the final shot. It’s a quick glimpse at the Foyers Photography approach to structured, scalable studio product photography.
Behind the Scenes – Venice in Frames
Here’s a short gallery of images from our Venice trip. These frames, textures, and light all played into the creative direction of the Aperol studio shoot.
Travel always finds a way into the work, sometimes directly, sometimes just in the light.
Why Product Photography Consistency Matters
For Paul, the product manager overseeing SKUs, platforms, and timelines, visual consistency isn’t a bonus. It’s essential.
Mismatched shadows, off-colour backgrounds, or inconsistent angles across a product range create friction. That’s why my process, whether for Amazon product photography UK or cosmetic product photography services, is built around control. Lighting diagrams, test shots, and delivery specs are all part of it.
Clients like STALSEN Gloves, for example, rely on repeatable setups across batches. They book again because every shot lands exactly where it should, on-brand, clean, and platform-ready.
Services Built for Scalability
Whether it’s product photography for small businesses or growing brands, I offer both studio and location shoots across Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex. Products can be delivered by courier or dropped off in person. Briefings are typically conducted via email or Zoom, depending on individual preference.
Every session includes:
- Defined shot lists with naming conventions
- Choice of white background product photography or styled setups
- Retouching standards for skin care, drinks, or handmade products
- Transparent pricing with no surprises
If you’ve ever been let down by miscommunication, vague editing, or inconsistent deliveries, the structure behind my commercial product photography process is likely to be a relief.
Final Image, Real Impact
The Aperol image is a reminder that inspiration comes from everywhere. But good photography, especially in a commercial context, is built on reliable systems.
This image didn’t come together by accident. It came together through controlled lighting, tested technique, and clarity of intent. If that’s the kind of imagery your business needs, something usable, consistent, and crafted to perform, it’s worth considering whether your current setup is delivering.
Get in touch
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Bob Foyers
Photographer, Foyers Photography
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See more about my product photography for Suffolk businesses.