Proper Coffee Syrup Product Photography
Styling: Audrey Marie Bufalini
Gear: Canon R6 Mark II | Godox AD600 | Capture One | Adobe Photoshop
Product: Proper Coffee Syrup
Location: Albany, NY
Behind the Shot: A Falling Iced Coffee for Proper Coffee Syrup
From concept to final shot — a New York product photographer's process
One day I was hit with the idea to create a photo of a coffee as if it were about to fall. I couldn't get this idea out of my head, and I knew I had to make it happen. When I discovered Proper Coffee Syrup, I finally had the perfect excuse.
There were many trials and tests along the way (a few are below), and my biggest struggle was adhering the glass to the c-stand at just enough of an angle that the viewer believes it's actually about to tip over. I initially wanted to use a fluted glass, but the texture made it too difficult to get a solid stick. Eventually I found an acrylic "glass" that read convincingly on camera, paired with double-sided mounting tape from Scotch that finally got the job done.
From there, it was all about dialing in the lighting and the overall mood.
I knew I wanted the iced coffee to look like it was suspended mid-fall. I had a general sense of the vibe I was chasing: dramatic, moody, sophisticated. The rest came together on shoot day. I tested fake ice, condensation made with glycerin and water, and dramatic shadow work, because at that point, why not push it further?
The final image is exactly what I pictured, but as any product photographer in New York will tell you, getting there took a lot of work both on camera and in post.
Edits made to the leaning iced coffee photo during post production
If your specialty food or beverage brand is in need of fresh imagery let’s schedule a call and chat!
