Behind the Scenes: A Salt Lake City Small Business Photographer's Outdoor Product Photoshoot
Behind the scenes of a brand photo session: the freezing cold edition. This one was a solo outdoor adventure, just me, a camera, and a couple of picnic blankets.
By the time we wrapped, both of our hands were completely numb. But the second I saw that lighting and that view, I knew I had to shoot there with these blankets — no matter the temperature. We made a quick run to grab a few things for clothes and just barely caught the last bit of sun before it dipped behind the mountain, racing the light to get the shot and the story.
This is the part of product photography that doesn't always make it into a brand's final gallery: the planning, the timing, the willingness to stand in the cold a little longer for the shot that actually delivers. As a small business product photographer near Salt Lake City, UT, this is the level of commitment I bring to every shoot, whether it's a big campaign or a single product launch.
Photos AND Video: Bringing Products to Life
One thing I love building into shoots like this is motion. Alongside the final photos, I also capture b-roll video on set — things like fabric moving in the wind, a blanket being shaken out, or a product being packed up and carried. That footage can be added into any brand's content collection alongside the still photography.
Here's why that matters: photos are great for showing what a product looks like, but video shows how it moves, how it feels, and how it fits into real life. My favorite shot from this session is the blanket catching the wind mid-air — something a still photo alone can't fully capture, but that a few seconds of video brings to life instantly. For a customer scrolling a website or a social feed, seeing that motion helps them picture themselves actually using the product, not just looking at it.
If you're already investing in product photography services for your brand, adding b-roll to the shoot list is one of the easiest ways to get more usable content without adding a separate shoot day.
What Goes Into a Shoot Like This
Chasing the right light. Golden hour doesn't wait, so timing and location scouting matter as much as the gear.
Building a real scene, not just a backdrop. The mountain view, the wind, the last light of the day — all of it becomes part of the product's story.
Capturing both stills and motion in one session. Photos for the website and catalog, video for social and product pages, all from a single shoot.
Being willing to work in less-than-ideal conditions. Some of the best images come from the moments that were the hardest to get.
Professional Product Photography for Small Businesses and Growing Brands
Whether you're a small business owner shooting your first product line or an established brand refreshing your visual content, I offer professional product photography built around what will actually work for your marketing — flat lay images, lifestyle photography, and now b-roll video, all from one photographer and one shoot.
FAQ
Do you offer video in addition to photography? Yes. I capture b-roll video during photo sessions that can be added to any content collection — perfect for showing product movement and bringing a setting to life so customers can picture themselves using it.
I'm searching for a "product photographer near me" in the Salt Lake area — do you shoot locally? Yes, I'm based near Salt Lake City, UT and shoot locally, along with travel shoots for brands that need a specific location or setting.
How do you decide on locations for outdoor shoots like this one? I look for lighting, backdrop, and a setting that fits the brand's story — sometimes that means chasing the last light of the day in the cold to get a specific view, like this shoot.
Can b-roll video be added to a shoot I've already planned? Absolutely. It's easy to build into any existing photo shoot without adding significant time, and it gives you extra content for social media and product pages.
Looking for the best product photographer to capture both stills and video for your next brand shoot? Get in touch here to see my portfolio and check availability.
See more behind-the-scenes content and product photography services in my portfolio, or check out more brand photography sessions here.
Love the products in this photoshoot and need some outdoor blankets to take on your family hiking, picnic, and camping adventures?
