How to Get Photographing Garden and Plant Products Right
Photography for plants, seeds, garden equipment and outdoor living products.
Imogen Clarke
Where most projects go wrong
The usual mistakes:
- Mature specimens presented as what ships
- Wilting plants under hot lights
- Color casts from foliage and surroundings
- Seasonal imagery used year-round without context
What good looks like instead
- Photograph plants at the stage customers receive
- Work quickly under studio lighting
- Show mature results separately and label them
- Keep color accurate with targets
- Plan shoots around growing seasons
Why it matters
Plants change with seasons and health, and imagery has to represent what buyers will actually receive.
The specs that matter
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Seasonality | plants photograph differently across the year |
| Representation | images should show plants at the stage supplied |
| Outdoor light | changes quickly and affects color |
| Lifespan | plant material deteriorates under studio lights |
Knowing when to hand it over
Tip: Bring in help when garden catalogs are shot seasonally.
Where this comes from
- Federal Trade Commission — Advertising FAQs: A guide for small business
- Capture One — Learning resources for product photography
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
We take on Photography & Product Visuals work for teams who want it done once, properly. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it. Start a project.
Where to go next
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
