Functional Studio Photography

1. Product First

The role of our Functional Location Photography is to showcase individual products in real-life settings. Image setups should clearly demonstrate the product style and functional details to make them easy for people to evaluate. Lighting and angles should ensure that products are best positioned to enhance quality and highlight features.

Branding and logos should be featured and visible where possible, and styling notes should be applied to best represent the product.

2. Detail-Oriented

When shooting in studio, zoom in to capture details that help showcase the product in the best light. Maybe it’s a close-up of a material fabrication, a special feature on pocket, or a hidden compartment. The smallest detail can help illustrate the quality, craftsmanship and functionality of a product or gear.

Branding and logos should be featured and visible where possible.

3. Light Support

Props in studio should be simple, non-distracting and tie back to how the product is being featured. Actions should be a suggestion of an activity and low impact, so as not to take focus away from the product. While talent body language and facial expressions should still read as authentic.

All props should be provided by Sport Chek. The only exception when propping can be sourced externally is if Sport Chek does not sell the product (i.e. smartphone or similar). Props should look clean and in new condition for studio use.

Additionally, simple white cubes and risers can be used as prop seating or steps.

4. Studio Light

While photos on location should always utilize natural light, lighting in studio should be consistent and bright. Skin sheen and product details should not be blown out, rather they should be highlighted and easily visible. The light overall should appear fairly even with a hint of a directional light across the body and back wall. Shadows should not be harsh, stay low behind talent and not distract.

Set walls or seamless backgrounds should read as off-white or light grey.

5. Shop the Look

When shooting Shop the Look content, the overall style of the outfit/look should be the priority. Made up of multiple shots, including a full body and various detail shots of each piece that make up the outfit, being sure to hone in on logos and any features. Talent are ideally captured resting or a suggestion of low activity.

Encourage talent to connect with the camera, to be confident, be authentic and have a little swagger. Treat the camera as a trusted friend, one that they can interact and have direct eye contact with.

6. Weekly Offers

There may be opportunities to capture group shots for specific Weekly Stories offers or Promo events (such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Friends & Family). These are beneficial to showcase product assortment and depth across a single category or specific theme.

Group shots should capture good energy and dynamic poses while ensuring merch is visible, utilizing any props that relate back to the specific offer or theme.

7. Laydowns

When off-figure laydowns are required for Multi-Vendor, STL or Promo offers, our approach is an organized product grouping arranged to represent a brand, theme or category. Products should be visible and can overlap as long as each piece still reads clearly. For groupings with equipment or gear, cropping larger pieces out of frame allows smaller items to not be overshadowed and keep composition balance.

Camera angles are either overhead straight-on or overhead at a 3⁄4 angle. Lighting for laydowns should be bright without washing out product details, have soft shadows and can have added props to give personality to the overall assortment.

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