Product Photoshoots: Styling and Art Direction
The ask
As part of the packaging rebrand for Nike we developed a new look for product photography. The goal was to create a consistent visual style while differentiating Nike vs Jordan products. I supported the process from early planning through final delivery. Helping with pose exploration, crop tests, casting notes, wardrobe styling, and shoot day planning. After the shoot, I worked with the team to narrow down selects, prepare presentations, and provide retouching notes. This was a true collaborative process working with art directors, clients, and key stakeholders
Role: Photoshoot Planning / Art Direction / Packaging Design / Styling
Clients: Nike, Jordan, JR286, PVH
Software: Figma, ProofHQ (Adobe Workfront)
More than a picture on a box
Packaging photography is an extensive process that requires strategy, collaboration, and planning from brief to shelf
Step 01: Project Brief
Client would brief us on a product and information was organized into a Figma file to guide our design thinking and keep key information aligned between the internal team and the client. This served as the foundation for creative exploration and client decks.
Step 02: Casting
Worked closely with producers to curate casting notes and moodboards that reflected the sport category and product intent. Collaborated with team members to review talent and present selects to the client.
Step 03: Wardrobe
Wardrobe selections were carefully considered to represent each sport and align with product. The outfits selected had to be authentic to consumers yet evergreen to withstand a long shelf presence at stores
Step 04: Art Direction and Client Collaboration
Body poses is one of the most important factors on these shoots. It’s important for the pose to balance product visibility, sport authenticity, crop alignment and consideration of previous shots. For more complex shoots we planed test shoots ahead of time. We worked closely with licensee partners and Nike stakeholders to ensure alignment and get approval from Nike’s key decision makers
Step 05: Shoot Day
Weeks of planning, collaborating with clients all come to this important step. Created run-of-show documents and briefing decks for our external creative partners: stylists, lighting teams, and hair/makeup. The shoot depends on weeks of prep and collaboration.
Step 06: From the shoot to the shelfs
Selects were narrowed, edited, and finalized with feedback from internal and client teams. Final photography was retouched and placed into packaging templates for global production.
And all that allows for a successful package on retail shelfs