Cutting Board Product Photography with JK Adams
Product photography is one of my favorite things to be hired for, and this shoot was no different! I was thrilled to be asked to shoot for the JK Adams catalog again and am excited to be sharing the photos with you today!
For last years shoot, we drew inspiration from winter and the holiday season. Flavor notes of pear and cranberry made their way into the photos, and red wine showed up a time or two as a nod to a cozier season. This time, we wanted the photos to feel fresh and light and be more evergreen in their versatility. To accomplish this, I opted for neutral surfaces and backdrops, relying on the food and cutting boards themselves for a majority of the color. I played around with produce, drinks, and textures to evoke different seasons and relied on my lighting to tell a lot of the story.
Above all else, it was important that the cutting board(s) remained the hero in every shot. I was mindful not to crowd the board so you could see the beautiful woodgrain, and if a board had a special feature it was always front and center. Product photography is all about knowing how to shoot a product in a way that’s accurate but also beautiful!
Lifestyle Product Photography
These product photos were styled and shot using food, props, and textured surfaces. If you’re interested in ecommerce photos shot on a white backdrop, feel free to get in touch - I offer that as well!
The Infinity End Grain boards are new to JK Adams this year and were a fun challenge to shoot. A rounded edge meant capturing the product at the right angle and height to show the curve while also capturing the height of the board. The maple and walnut are both so striking that a couple simple props were all that were necessary for these product shots!
Working in product photography means making a lot of decisions. Props, surfaces, backdrops, lighting, composition, the list goes on. All of that I can handle. However, when it comes to deciding on the final shot to deliver to the client, I’m not always the best. This is what lead me to delivering these two versions of the same berry pie. The client requested a baking shot featuring their rolling pins, a Bennington Potters pie dish, and their Professional End Grain Walnut Board. They hadn’t done a baking shot in a while and wanted something that would really wow their customers.
The photo on the left ended up being the cover of the catalog so mission accomplished!
I created these three photos to feel warm and inviting. Snacks ready to share with friends and a roasted chicken ready to be served to family. Styling the charcuterie boards was one of my favorite parts of this entire shoot, and these turned into my favorite shots from the session. I’m happy to report that no food was wasted either. The chicken was my dinner that night and I happily ate charcuterie for the next week. Also that’s not real champagne you see in the photos on the left and right; a dash of soy sauce and club soda is all you need to create some fake bubbly. A little styling trick for you all!
A quick swap of the surface you shoot on and the lighting you use can have a big impact on your product photography! With a linen tablecloth, pops of blue and green, and brighter lighting, these images were made to have more of a summery feel to them. The products are still the highlight in every shot and the center photo showcases the cut out handle perfectly.
This product photography shoot for JK Adams was a highlight of 2024! Whether you’re in New York or across the country in California and are looking for a product photographer, I would love to chat! I offer my product photography services nationwide and can’t wait to discuss your next project with you.
