Why Digital Product Modification Costs Extra in Professional Photography

Intro:
When you hire a professional product photographer, you expect polished, flawless images for your website, e-commerce store, or catalogue. While standard retouching is included in most packages, digitally modifying a product is a separate, premium service—and here’s why.

1. Standard Retouching vs. Digital Modification

• Standard Retouching: Corrects lighting issues, removes dust or scratches, smooths reflections, and ensures your product looks clean and appealing.
• Digital Modification: Fixes physical product defects (like missing parts, dents, or damaged packaging) and may even recreate parts of the product virtually.

Example 1: Red Tray

• Before: Reflections and uneven tones on the glossy surface.
• After: Smooth, clean finish with professional symmetry ready for online sales.

Example 2: Product Packaging

• Before: Wrinkled, distorted label with unreadable text.
• After: Digitally reconstructed label that looks flawless for advertising.

2. Why Digital Product Modification Costs More

• Time-Intensive: A single image can take hours to fix properly.
• Advanced Skillset: Requires expert Photoshop knowledge and precise attention to detail.
• Adds Value: Allows you to market products that might otherwise be unusable for professional images. It happens when the client has only one, damaged sample and is expecting commercial shipment with good quality samples.

Conclusion & CTA:
High-quality product images can make or break your online sales. Investing in professional photography—and when necessary, digital product modification—ensures your products look their absolute best.

Need flawless product photos for your e-commerce or catalog?
Contact Photography by George for professional product photography and expert retouching in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, and Burlington.

Why Clients Should Provide Props for Product Photography

In product photography, capturing your brand’s vision accurately is essential. Every client has a unique idea of how their product should look — and the right props help tell that story. That’s why I always recommend clients supply their own props for advertising or styled shoots.

As a professional photographer, I’ve shot thousands of products across countless categories — from wallets and watches to cosmetics and collectibles. While I provide lighting, composition, and technical expertise, I can't keep props for every product type. Supplying the right items ensures the final images align with your brand identity and marketing goals.

Two Main Types of Product Photography

1. Catalogue Photography (White Background)
   Clean and consistent, this style is ideal for e-commerce sites like Amazon or Shopify. It shows the product clearly without distractions and meets platform requirements. 

2. Advertising Photography (Styled Shoots)
   More creative and visually engaging, this style includes props, themed setups, and sometimes models. It's perfect for promotional campaigns, social media, and print advertising.

You can see examples of both styles on my website.  See hundreds of my photographs.

Studio & On-Location Services

• Studio Photography: Best for small to mid-size items, especially white background shots.

• On-Location Photography: Ideal for larger setups or styled campaigns. A product stylist is recommended for brand consistency and visual impact.

In Summary

Props are a key part of successful advertising photography. Whether it’s a vintage dollar for a wallet or nautical decor for a model ship, the right elements make your product shine.

Need help planning your shoot? Contact me to get started. 

High-End Product Photography – Bathroom Vanity Spotlight

Bathroom vanities and other home fixtures require a clean, elegant presentation. Potential buyers want to see every detail—from the finish of the wood to the shine on the faucet. In this photo, soft diffused lighting and expert retouching bring out the craftsmanship of the cabinet and the glossy countertop, creating an inviting and luxurious feel.

Behind the Shoot
This vanity was photographed using a mobile studio setup that ensures consistent, professional lighting and styling, no matter the location. We use top-tier equipment and post-processing techniques with software like Photoshop and Lightroom to achieve crisp detail, true-to-life colors, and a flawless finish.

Serving the Greater Toronto Area
We proudly offer high-end product photography services across the Greater Toronto Area, including:

• Toronto

• Mississauga

• Oakville

• Burlington

Whether you're a manufacturer, interior designer, or online retailer, our mobile studio makes it easy to showcase your products professionally—right at your location. Do you need my service?

The Intrigue of Metal in Photography

Metallic objects possess a unique allure that can transform ordinary images into extraordinary works of art. Their reflective surfaces and intricate textures present both challenges and opportunities for photographers. At Product Photo Canada, George has mastered the art of capturing the essence of metal, showcasing its natural beauty in every shot.

Balancing Reflection and Texture

One of the primary challenges when photographing metal is dealing with its highly reflective surface. Reflections can easily become distractions, but George uses them to his advantage, creating compositions that highlight the metal’s sheen while maintaining clarity. By carefully positioning lights and using diffusers, George minimizes unwanted reflections, allowing the metal’s natural shine to take center stage.

The Play of Light and Shadow

Light plays a crucial role in metal photography. George’s expertise in manipulating light and shadow brings out the depth and dimension of metal objects. He uses soft lighting to emphasize the subtle nuances of texture while employing stronger, directional light to accentuate the metallic sheen. This delicate balance creates images that are both striking and true to the material’s inherent qualities.

Capturing the Details

The intricate details of metal objects can be mesmerizing. George’s keen eye for detail ensures that every curve, groove, and edge is captured with precision. By using macro photography techniques, he reveals the fine craftsmanship and unique patterns found in metal items. This approach not only highlights the artistry of the objects but also allows viewers to appreciate the material’s complexity and beauty.

Enhancing Natural Beauty Through Post-Processing

Post-processing is an essential step in metal photography. George utilizes advanced editing techniques to enhance the natural beauty of metal, adjusting contrast, sharpness, and color balance to create images that are both realistic and visually appealing. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that the final photographs reflect the true essence of the metal objects.

Showcasing Versatility

Metallic objects come in various forms, from industrial components to decorative pieces. George’s versatility in photographing different types of metal showcases his adaptability and creativity. Whether it’s the sleek surface of stainless steel, the rustic charm of aged copper, or the intricate designs of handcrafted jewelry, George captures the unique characteristics of each object, telling its story through his lens.

Conclusion: The Art of Metal Photography

At Product Photo Canada, George’s expertise in metal photography transforms everyday objects into stunning visual masterpieces. By skillfully balancing reflection and texture, manipulating light and shadow, and enhancing details through post-processing, George highlights the natural beauty of metal in every image. Explore the captivating world of metal photography and see how these seemingly ordinary objects can shine with extraordinary brilliance.

How much do you charge for product photography?

This is most common question but it is too generic. 

Would you visit a car dealership place and ask the question:

How much are the cars?

On the other hand I understand this: the prospective client doesn't know how to start the conversation and each EXPERIENCED  product photographer knows that you need to consider many factors. and you can't give the quote from the thin air.

This is why you need to see what kind of product it is and consider a number of factors.

1. Complexity of light set up. Even if I shoot the same type of products, example: Glass shiny items. I need to change lighting and reflectors setup depending on the shape of the object to control the reflection (not to eliminate it for gods sake). Setting two lights at 45 degrees will not work.

See this blog post

2. Time required for editing. Compare two products shown on attached picture. It is a self explanatory presentation, isn't it? No doubt the cost must be different.

 3. The quantity - how many products/shots in total?

 4. Photo session location - you deliver the product or I need to set up on your location? 

Scroll down to see the picture of the pumpkin

More factors explanation will continue in my next blog post.