A Day of Footwear Product Photography
Same shoot, different day. As well as the campaign images with the kids, we also had a full day dedicated to footwear product photography for Deichmann. I shot this at The Big Shed studio in Manchester, again with the team at Refinery.
This side of the job is a completely different discipline. No models, no movement, no waiting for the right expression. Instead, it’s all about precision. Getting the angle right, the reflections controlled, and the styling consistent across every single pair. It’s a slower pace. But there’s a real satisfaction in nailing a shot that looks completely simple and is anything but.
Getting the Detail Right
Footwear product photography is all about the small stuff, really. So a lot of the day was spent on setup: positioning each shoe exactly right, checking laces and straps sat properly, and making sure nothing distracted from the product itself. We used similar props and setups to the fashion shoot — books, sports balls, stationery — so the product shots would tie in visually with the campaign images once everything came together.
Lighting also had to stay completely consistent shot to shot. That matters even more here than on a campaign day, because these images often end up sitting side by side on a website or in a catalogue. Any inconsistency stands out fast. So it’s worth taking the time to get it right rather than rushing through the set.
The Bigger Picture
It’s a slower, more methodical pace than a fashion shoot, but just as satisfying to get right. Clean, consistent footwear product photography is what makes a brand’s whole catalogue feel joined up, and it’s a part of the job I really enjoy.
Always good to be back working with Refinery in Manchester, and a nice contrast having the product day alongside the campaign shots from the same job. Two very different sides of the same shoot, and both equally important to the finished campaign.
For more on my product photography take a look a my portfolio here …
