Product Photography for Portland Avenue Lifestyle

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to take my first steps into product photography with Portland Avenue Lifestyle, an independent online lifestyle store with a beautifully curated collection of giftware, wellbeing products and interiors.

It was a chance to explore a different side of photography and, more importantly, to discover how much I enjoyed creating images that bring products and brands to life.

Today, product photography has become an important part of the photography I offer to small businesses and independent brands, so I thought it would be lovely to revisit this early project.

About Portland Avenue Lifestyle

Portland Avenue Lifestyle is an independent online lifestyle store offering a carefully curated selection of giftware, wellbeing products and interiors.

The owner, Teresa, is a hugely creative person and someone I’ve known for a number of years. I’ve often joked that she’s our very own version of Martha Stewart!

When I mentioned that I was interested in offering affordable product photography to small businesses, Teresa kindly gave me the opportunity to photograph some of her products for use across the Portland Avenue Lifestyle website and social media.

The brief

The aim was to create a collection of atmospheric product photographs that would showcase the products in a way that felt true to the Portland Avenue Lifestyle brand.

Rather than photographing everything against a simple white background, we wanted to create images with a stronger sense of atmosphere, using Teresa’s beautiful kitchen as our setting.

Good product photography isn’t simply about showing a product clearly. The styling, setting, light and overall mood can all help to communicate something about the brand behind it.

Creating the images

The day was particularly bright, so rather than working outside, I chose to photograph indoors, making use of the beautiful side light coming through the kitchen window.

The softer light gave us an opportunity to create the darker, more atmospheric look I naturally gravitate towards.

Over the course of an hour or so, Teresa and I worked together to style and photograph a selection of products. There was plenty of coffee and conversation along the way, which made the shoot feel relaxed and collaborative.

Once the photography was finished, I took the images home to download, select and edit.

A dark and moody approach

The final images have a dark and moody feel, which is a style I particularly enjoy.

I wanted the photographs to feel considered and atmospheric while still keeping the products at the heart of each image.

Fortunately, Teresa loved the result too.

What I love about product photography

One of the things I enjoy about product photography is the opportunity to create the scene around the product.

Unlike photographing a landscape or garden, where the environment is largely outside your control, product photography allows you to consider every element within the frame — the light, styling, composition, colour and surrounding details.

Styling is a particularly important part of the process, and working with a creative business owner like Teresa makes that collaboration even more enjoyable.

From an early project to something I now offer

This shoot was an important step in my photography journey and helped me discover how much I enjoy working with products and small businesses.

Since then, I’ve continued to develop my approach to product and brand photography, creating natural, story-led imagery designed to help independent businesses show their products and personality online.

It’s also why I particularly enjoy working with small creative businesses. A good photography shoot isn’t simply about taking photographs of a product — it’s about understanding the story behind the business and creating images that feel like them.

Looking for product photography for your small business?

If you’re a small business, maker or independent brand looking for product photography for your website, social media or marketing, I’d love to hear about your project.

I offer photography packages designed for creative businesses and can work with you to create a collection of natural, atmospheric images that showcase your products and tell your brand story.

[View my photography packages]

[Get in touch]