Why Faces (and Hands!) Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Product Photography
When it comes to building a strong brand, product photography is key – but it’s not just about the products. It’s also about the people behind them and the story you tell. Visual content is one of the most powerful tools to convey who you are as a business - 93% of consumers rank visual appearance as a key factor in purchase decisions, and content with relevant images gets 94% more views than content without. In other words, great product photography can make or break your brand’s first impression. More importantly, your ideal customers want to connect with the faces and values behind the brand, not just the products. That’s why showcasing the people and personality behind your products is such a game-changer for brand identity.
Why Visual Content Is Vital for Your Brand
We’re bombarded with images on social media and online shops, so to stand out you need high-quality, story-driven visuals. People remember up to 65% of visual content after three days (versus only about 10% of written content), so strong imagery not only grabs attention but also sticks with your audience. For a small business, scroll-stopping photos can give you an edge over larger competitors.
On social media, posts with images - especially those featuring people get much higher engagement. Instagram photos with human faces receive 38% more likes than those without (according to a Georgia Tech study). This shows customers crave authenticity and human connection, not just pretty product shots. Visuals that include real people help build trust and familiarity; in fact, 86% of consumers say authenticity is important when deciding which brands to support (Stackla survey). By featuring real people (whether your team, customers, or yourself) or even just parts of people (like hands if you’re shy!) in your product photos, you create that authenticity and turn standard catalog shots into a narrative about your brand.
Putting People Behind the Products
One way to bring authenticity into product photography is by literally putting the person into the picture. For example, I recently did a shoot with Liberty, the founder of Lib&Jax, a local brand that handcrafts colorful bags and cases from reclaimed (deadstock) fabrics. Lib&Jax isn’t just selling bags – they’re selling a story, and showcasing the people behind the products helps bring that story to life.
During the shoot, we made sure to capture not only the products, but Liberty herself. We got vibrant shots of her interacting with the bags - holding them, using them, even sitting happily in a pile of them against a bright pink backdrop. Featuring the founder put a face to the brand name. Liberty’s style and energy shine through these images, helping customers connect with her business on a deeper level. In short, it turns Lib&Jax from just a brand into a relatable human story.
Some of the best shots were the spontaneous, playful ones - like Liberty tossing bags in the air. Those photos are eye-catching and full of life, perfectly reflecting the brand’s bold vibe. In one image, a flying bag even covered her face, adding a fun mystery that draws attention straight to the product. These kinds of shots do double duty: they highlight the product while keeping viewers engaged and curious about the person behind it.
We also captured some behind-the-scenes content. Liberty captures a few quick video clips (just on her phone) to highlight Pictorial Photography on the visit Berwick website (part of a different project) and I gave Liberty some fun peeks of the shoot from my camera to share on Instagram and TikTok. Audiences love seeing how the magic happens, a candid video of makers at work makes people feel like insiders. And with video content now over 80% of all web traffic, those clips are gold for social media. This kind of content isn’t just filler; it brings your brand’s personality to life in ways that polished product photos alone can’t.
Liberty from Lib&Jax brought ALL the colour and chaos to the studio for this shoot. Handmade, one-of-a-kind, and made from deadstock fabric – each bag has it’s own story. 💖 #BTS #ProductPhotography #LibAndJax
Planning a Purposeful (and Fun) Photoshoot
All those creative, people-centric shots might look spontaneous, but they actually take a lot of planning. Before the Lib&Jax session, Liberty put together a Pinterest mood board to nail down the creative vision. Having that visual guide (and some notes from our chats) put us on the same page from the start, with no "what next?" moments during the shoot. The mood board ensured we captured all the must-have shots (like clear product photos on a bright background) and had fun ideas ready that fit the brand’s vibe (like those flying bags!).
Planning ahead also meant thinking about how we’d use the photos. For Lib&Jax, we needed a mix of images for different purposes:
Product shots for the online store (clean, crisp photos of the bags on a railing - also to use on a continuous scroll for an instagram carousel)
Lifestyle shots of Liberty using the bags (to show their scale in real-life use)
Behind-the-scenes content to share on social media (for authenticity and engagement)
Defining these goals early meant we captured a bit of everything during the shoot. It also helped us prep the studio - we set up multiple vibrant backdrops (pink, orange, navy, green and white) to make the colorful bags pop, and arranged professional lighting for a polished look. With solid planning and a spark of creativity, the shoot was both productive and a lot of fun.
Just as important as planning is creating a positive, collaborative atmosphere. We kicked off the shoot by bouncing around ideas and jotting down the best ones to try first. It's great to experiment with wacky concepts (after the ‘key shots’ are in the bag of course) — it leads to unique photos and keeps the session fun. When everyone’s enjoying themselves, that energy shines through in the pictures. Those genuine laughs, unposed moments, and off-the-cuff ideas are exactly how you capture the authenticity we talked about earlier.
Showcasing Your Brand’s Values (Sustainability and Beyond)
Another facet of brand identity we highlighted was Lib&Jax’s commitment to sustainability. Consumers care about what a brand stands for — 66% say they’re willing to pay more to support brands with sustainable practices (Nielsen survey), and that percentage is even higher for millennials. If your brand has a mission or core value like this, think about how we can show it visually - or get in touch for a chat - I love sharing ideas.
For Lib&Jax, that meant drawing attention to the story behind the bags. We made sure to feature the unique upcycled fabrics in the photos, subtly communicating the brand’s eco-friendly ethos. At the same time, we kept the images vibrant and stylish to prove that sustainable can be chic. And of course, we spotlighted Liberty as the passionate founder behind it all. Product, Person, and Purpose - when those three align, that’s branding magic!
From Photoshoot to Brand Narrative
With the right planning and personal touch, product photos become more than a catalog of items - they turn into part of your brand narrative. Each image from the Lib&Jax shoot tells a piece of their story, whether it’s Liberty joyfully tossing bags in the air or carefully arranging a display. This portfolio of usable visuals give the audience a glimpse into her world and invite them to connect on a deeper level.
People connect with people, not just things. Showing the human side of your business builds trust and like-ability. The next time someone sees a Lib&Jax bag at a market or online, they’ll remember the fun, creative spirit from those photos and feel like they know the brand. That kind of familiarity is marketing gold - it can turn casual viewers into loyal followers and then customers.
Ready to Elevate Your Brand Identity?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Which of Liberty’s colorful bags caught your eye? Do you think these images deliver on style? Share in the comments!
If you’re a business owner looking to bring your own brand’s story to life with vibrant, people-focused product photography, let’s talk. As a specialist in product photography in Berwick, I’m passionate about helping creative brands like yours shine. Get in touch with me at Pictorial Photography to start planning a shoot that showcases your products, along with the people and values behind them. Let’s elevate your brand identity, one photo at a time. If you aren’t quite ready to chat yet - take a look at our product photography page for loads more info.
Oh, and if you loved Liberty’s bags, you can snag one from Lib&Jax. She’ll also have a stall at the Berwick Food Festival this summer - so if you’re in town, be sure to pop by and support some awesome local makers!
