Product Photography For Online Stores

This landing page from Wispr Flow is one of my favourite examples of visual product storytelling. Most technical solutions try to communicate their use cases through copy. Usually a set of bullet points highlighting prioritised features. But more and more, SaaS companies are realising that bounce rates are high and time to engage is incredibly short. It’s no longer enough to tell. You have to show. Within 8 seconds of their animation, you see first-hand the value the product creates and who it’s for. You’re seeing the same shift from companies like Grammarly, Calendly, and Figma. All of them have moved away from copy-heavy hero sections in favour of lightweight, visual product storytelling. The Calendly animation is so clear that it allows them to get away with a three-word hero. Great inspiration for product marketers looking for better ways to communicate value quickly and clearly.

Fluidra brought Exhibitus Inc. an Olympic swimming pool-sized problem. How do you showcase pool products that only work in water… without water? Here's everything our team needed to accomplish: - Create an immersive poolside environment inside a convention hall. - Demonstrate water-dependent products in a believable context. - Elevate the brand from product-heavy to a premium experience. - Reduce physical product volume without losing the full story. - Distribute 25+ large boxes of catalogues without cluttering the space. SOLUTIONS 1. Simulated Water without the water We created the illusion of water using materials, lighting, and effects: - Bent plexi waterfalls flowing into a “pool.” - Color-changing LEDs to mimic movement and shimmer. - Steam lit to resemble fire emerging from rock for Grand Effects. - Textured plexi to show how lighting reads underwater - A digital pool environment to add motion and depth This lets products like Skim Bots and deep-water cleaners appear in their natural habitat, without a single drop on the show floor. 2. Experience design and digital storytelling: Three key engagement moments anchored the space. - A dramatic overhead visual anchor to pull traffic - Forced-perspective digital content showing cleaners in action - A live demo zone where a presenter could “walk on water.” Digital storytelling reduced the need to ship and stage excess product. Shifting the booth from SKU-heavy to a high-end retail-style experience. 3. Clean Catalogue Storage Fluidra’s phonebook-style catalogues move fast, but 25 boxes can wreck a premium space. We built a hidden frosted plexiglass door, so catalogues were accessible but invisible. And the impact was massive: - Big splash presence on a crowded show floor - Poolside ambiance delivered without water - Brand perception is elevated through experience-led storytelling. - Shipping and staging are reduced by minimizing physical product volume. The result: a tech-driven environment that didn’t just show products. It showed possibility.

I have worked with a lot of spirit brands and a word that comes up more often than not is "luxury". Every spirit brand that has come my way wants to appeal to consumers as a luxury experience. Their packaging may speak to that but their content typically doesn't. That's why when I came across Holiday Vodka I was stunned. From the packaging to the Instagram - this brand is doing it right. Without just speaking to the luxury market, they niched down. Their brand speaks to holiday travelers, and showcases a true luxury holiday: The Ski Trip ⛷️ Let's dive in to what they are really doing.... ⛷️ They’re selling a feeling Every post feels like an invitation to a moment. Whether it’s an aperitivo in Italy, a cozy après-ski vibe, or a sunset toast with friends. From the brand’s own ethos, Holiday is all about capturing that “holiday” feeling. Time slowing down, joy, ritual, and connection. That’s translated beautifully into visual storytelling. ⛷️ Cohesive visual identity that feels luxury yet approachable So many brands WANT to offer an escape from the home from their products and Holiday is actually doing it. The design, photography, and color palette on their feed project a consistent and elevated brand look. This isn’t just about pretty pictures. It’s about signaling who the brand is to their audience. There’s intention in every image, from the lifestyle shots to product visuals, reinforcing the brand’s Italian-inspired elegance and modern energy. ⛷️ They’ve connected social to real-world experiences* Their social presence mirrors the brand’s experiential marketing. For example, their après-ski–themed launch events in NYC that brought the product to life in experiential settings and cultural moments. This creates content that feels real, and not just advertising. ⛷️ Positioning through story + community Holiday isn’t just highlighting the liquid. Holiday shares moments, partnerships, personalities, and rituals around using the product. That kind of content humanizes the brand and encourages users to see themselves in the story. ⛷️ Smart lifestyle alignment (not just product posts)  Rather than purely product shots, the feed reflects a lifestyle: travel, celebration, community, ritual. This makes the brand *aspirational* without being inaccessible. A masterclass in lifestyle marketing for CPG.

3D renderings aren't just for showrooms. Use them to highlight your product's features. In today's competitive e-commerce landscape, showcasing your product's unique features is crucial. And guess what? 3D renderings can be your secret weapon. Here’s how you can leverage them effectively: 1. Show the Hidden Benefits A 3D rendering can reveal what can't be seen from the outside. Imagine you’re selling a high-tech backpack designed with a special compartment for gadgets. A cross-sectional 3D image can demonstrate how each compartment is optimized for safety and convenience. This visual proof can make a significant difference in the buying decision. 2. Make Instructional Images Engaging If your product requires assembly or has a unique usage, instructional images are a must. But why settle for flat, boring images? Use 3D renderings to show each step in a dynamic and engaging way. For example, if you sell a DIY furniture kit, a 3D animation can guide your customers through each assembly step, making the process look easy and fun. 3. Highlight Material Quality Sometimes, the quality of materials used in your product is its strongest selling point. A 3D rendering can highlight these details exquisitely. Take, for instance, a pair of hiking boots. A 3D cross-section can show the layers of waterproof materials, the cushioned sole, and the reinforced stitching. This not only educates but also builds trust with your customers. 4. Diverse Demographic Representation When creating images, it's essential to reflect your primary customer base while also embracing diversity. Using 3D renderings, you can easily create images featuring different genders, ages, and ethnicities. For example, if your primary customers are middle-aged women but your product is universal, ensure your marketing materials reflect this diversity. This balanced approach can broaden your appeal and resonate with a wider audience. 5. Enhance A+ Content Amazon's A+ content allows for richer storytelling. Incorporate 3D renderings to make your product descriptions more compelling. If you’re selling an insulated water bottle, a 3D image can show the inner layers that keep the liquid hot or cold. This visual storytelling can captivate potential buyers and give them a clear understanding of your product's value. The Result: Using 3D renderings not only makes your product stand out but also builds a stronger connection with your audience. By visually communicating your product's features and benefits, you can boost customer confidence and drive higher conversions. Have you already tried using 3D renderings in your product listings? How did it impact your sales? #Ecommerce #ProductDesign #CustomerEngagement

We're officially in the TikTok era of beauty. Formula innovation plateaued, so brands are putting everything into packaging that goes viral. At Marpipe, we're seeing this shift hit product catalogs hard. The formula game is basically solved. Every brand has access to the same labs, same ingredients, same manufacturing. Quality differences are marginal at best. So brands moved the competition to packaging: the only thing that still creates content momentum. Korean brands are leading this charge. Take Dr. Althea's grinding balm, literally built for content creation first, skincare second. The mechanism itself becomes the hook. The unboxing becomes the ad. The product IS the social moment. Then you've got utility innovation: Fenty's solid perfume, Simihaze's stackable cosmetics, Fluff's refillable compacts, Guerlain's ornate lipstick cases. Each is designed to trigger specific content formats. The L'Occitane case study is perfect. 30-year-old hand cream. Nothing changed about the formula. Went viral because creators filmed how much product they could squeeze out before the tube collapsed. The packaging created the trend, not the product. What this means for catalog strategy: your product photography needs to show the packaging interaction, not just the product. Static flat lays don't cut it anymore. Show the squeeze, the twist, the stack, the refill mechanism. You should be treating packaging as content infrastructure. Ask: "What about this product creates a filmable moment?" Then, build catalog imagery around that moment, not just clean product shots.

How I create viral product images: The terms “emotional connection” and “resonance” get tossed around a lot in our industry. But they’re essential to get right. Creating viral product images isn’t about listing product specs. It’s about evoking a feeling that transports your audience—inviting them to picture themselves in the scene. Here’s what goes into crafting these kinds of images: 1. Emotion Over Details The magic lies in capturing a mood—adventure, comfort, thrill. Viral images resonate when they stir something inside, letting your audience feel the experience, not just see it. It’s still commercial, but it doesn’t feel staged. 2. Story in Every Frame Every viral image has a story to tell. Setting the right scene allows viewers to envision themselves in that moment. Here, it's immersion in a gorgeous fall day in Alaska. 3. Connection to the Audience It’s about authenticity. Avoid over-staging. Use natural elements and real moments to create images that reflect the audience’s lifestyle and aspirations. 4. Narrative Through Details Small elements—like a glance, the way light hits a glacial ridge, or the texture of a warm coat—convey big emotions. It’s these little touches that deepen the story and amplify its reach. Each of these “viral” product images is built with intention. Here’s what goes into our process: • Research: Knowing the audience • Conceptualizing: Creating a storyline that captivates • Location: Choosing landscapes that bring stories to life • Styling: Enhancing the product’s vibe with natural elements • Communication: Ensuring the entire team captures the essence • Editing: Amplifying emotions while keeping it real The result? An image that truly resonates.

Your main image needs a wingman. And I know just the guy. Your packaging. Choosing between product shots and packaging ? Literally the equivalent of picking which leg to stand on You need both working together. Here’s why the product + packaging dominates ↓ ✓ Context creates confidence ☐ Shoppers need to answer two questions: - “Is this the right item?” (product) - “What exactly am I getting?” (packaging) ☐ Show the product beside its box to: - Prove scale/size - Display included accessories - Reveal quantity (think multipacks) ✓ Brand trust multiplied ☐ Packaging in the frame = instant authenticity stamp. ☐ But position it as the Robin to your product’s Batman: - Keep product at 70% of the frame - Angle packaging behind/partially cropped - Make branding visible but not dominant - (Your logo wants to whisper, not scream) ✓ Mobile-first storytelling ☐ Use the left 30% of your image for strategic packaging peeks: - “3-Pack” visible on toothpaste boxes - “Wireless Charger Included” on phone cases - Certification badges (USDA Organic, ETL) ✓ The counterfeit killer ☐ Branded products? This combo: - Reduces “fake item” suspicions - Shows official UPC placement - Proves you’re an authorized seller (84% of shoppers check packaging details before clicking) Top brands using this hybrid approach see: ⟡ 19% CTR lift vs packaging-only ⟡ 12% higher conversions vs product-only ⟡ 35% fewer “item not as described” claims 3 Simple Steps: ⌾ Lay product diagonally across frame ⌾ Position packaging behind at 30% opacity ⌾ Add subtle shadow between them for depth Pro move → Use packaging color to contrast product tones. ⤷ Red box behind white headphones? Chef’s kiss. #AmazonCTR