Do I Need to Hire a Beverage Photographer?

I can't recall how many times I've encountered beverage businesses losing profits because they settled for low-quality shots of their products. Working as a professional beverage and lifestyle photographer for several years, I've helped clients decide why they need to hire a beverage photographer.

Do I Need to Hire a Beverage Photographer?

You must hire a beverage photographer because they use professional gear and skillfully craft a story to sell products. Drinks are notoriously tricky to photograph, and photographers have the expertise and equipment to manipulate them. With proper styling and composition, photographers combine brand goals and the latest marketing trends to promote your drinks. 

Professional photographers come with years of experience, a distinct style, and a trusted production team. There are several reasons why brands across the world hire award-winning beverage and lifestyle photographers like Dixie Dixon.

Reasons to Hire a Beverage Photographer

There are specific skills that beverage photographers set us apart from other creatives. These skills are the main reasons to hire a professional drinks and beverage photographer for your product.

Woman wearing heart shaped sunglasses while about to sip from a mini coconut drink

Feature Drinks With a Compelling Storytelling

The best part of hiring a beverage and drinks photographer is that you won't have to worry about conceptualizing the story to promote your product. 

Making drinks look great is one thing. Helping consumers imagine what it's like to drink them is another process. If you need help portraying such emotions, you need to hire beverage photographers to capture that essence.

Combine Creative and Technical Skills

Among the main reasons you should hire beverage photographers is to use their ability to highlight products through creative and technical elements.

  • Angles and compositional elements: Beverage photographers have a keen eye for details, even with the unpredictability of liquids. We pay attention to how the product's height, volume, and design will appear next to other props. Likewise, we consider the product's appearance in the frame, foreground, and background.

  • Ingredients: About 73% of consumers spend more for ingredients they know and trust. Beverage photographers know how to highlight the ingredients of a beverage's product, whether through a product demonstration video or flat-lay photos.

  • Colors and textures: Certain colors and textures can add depth to images. However, they may also look different when combined with lighting and angles. Professional photographers know how to work around these hurdles and ensure creativity without ruining your product's integrity.

  • Post-processing: Whether it's to remove fingerprints or glare from glass, I personally see to it that the final photos are edited properly, making them ready for print and publishing.

Guarantee Professional Equipment

Food and drink photography can have varying concepts, including flat lays and lifestyle shoots. These photography styles need the proper gear to pull off. What will typically cost thousands if you buy on your own to do a DIY shoot, a professional photographer already has them to shoot your products.

  • Camera body: I only use top-rated full-frame cameras to gather as much light as possible for proper image exposure.

  • Lens: I usually use narrow lenses like 85mm or 105mm to avoid distortion.

  • Tripod: A tripod helps avoid camera shakes to ensure crisp, clear shots, whether it's a video or photo.

  • Lighting: Some shoots may require natural or studio lighting, depending on your theme. Some effects also need lighting techniques to execute effectively.

Access to the Best Shooting Locations and Creative Professionals

Ever wonder how those refreshing bubbles on sodas or splashes from cocktails make images feel alive? Beverage photography is a complex process that requires a team of creatives to accomplish the shoot. 

As a beverage product photographer for several years, I have built a strong and trusted team of creatives, including stylists, set builders, lighting crew, and editors, to achieve such effects.

I also have a network of professional models for lifestyle shoots. Aside from that, I have access to studio spaces and the top locations for lifestyle photography in Dallas.

Tips for Hiring a Commercial Drinks Photographer

Beverage product photos must resonate with your target audience, so you need the right photographer for the job. I'm giving you insider tips on how to hire a beverage photographer to shoot your products.

Dixie Dixon holding her camera while shooting for a photoshoot outdoors

Set Your Marketing Goals

The first thing you need to consider when hiring a beverage product photographer is to determine your branding or marketing goals for the shoot.

  • What story must I convey?

  • What is the product's target audience?

  • How will I use the images?

Review the Photography Style

You should book a beverage photographer whose style matches your aesthetic and branding. Beverage brands and businesses hire me for my idealistic approach to photography. I carefully craft each project so that my style aligns with my client's vision.

With that said, it helps to evaluate a photographer's portfolio. For example, when you browse my beverage photography portfolio, you'll see a myriad of lifestyle-themed shoots.

Check Experience and Credibility

Has the photographer worked with similar brands or industry-related businesses? What do past clients say about the photographer?

As an intentionally renowned lifestyle and commercial photographer and film director, I have produced creative photographs and fresh campaigns for brands, ad agencies, celebrities, and entrepreneurs. The attention and sales they gained from my photos and motion work are a testament to years worth of credibility.

Related Questions

What Should I Expect From Professional Beverage Photographers?

You can expect quality photos and efficient workflow from professional beverage photographers. Some photographers will only handle the shoot, while others have a full-scale production. You can expect a full-service production from my team, including conceptualization, preparation, actual shoot, post-production, and delivery.

What Are the Challenges of Beverage and Drinks Photography?

The primary challenge of beverage photography is dealing with condensation, the unpredictability of liquids, and the glare of glassware. This is why it's vital to hire a beverage product photographer who can apply the proper technique and use the right gear to overcome these challenges.

When Should I Hire a Professional Beverage Photographer?

You can hire a professional beverage photographer as soon as you find the perfect photographer for your goals and have the budget. Depending on your requirements, some shoots can take days or weeks. Thus, you should also consider your business timeline and when you need the output.

Conclusion

You need to hire a beverage photographer to use compelling imagery in promoting your products. Let your customers experience a savory sip and get a strong desire to buy your drinks! Whenever you're ready, my creative beverage photography team here at Dixie Dixon will make your drinks stand out among the competition.

Zachary Good