As a Central Illinois product photographer, I love discovering fun, local finds like these vibrant Craftmix cocktail packets from The Wink House in Peoria. Capturing standout product photos isn’t just about having a beautiful product—it’s about telling a story, connecting with a brand’s audience, and creating visuals that sell. Strategic, high-quality product photography helps small businesses boost visibility, build trust, and ultimately convert browsers into buyers. Whether you’re marketing a local goodie or a national brand, the right imagery can elevate your presence online and beyond.
+ How to Choose Props For A Product Photoshoot
Trying to choose props for your product session can feel daunting! Especially, if like me, you have a million creative ideas bouncing around in your head. It can be so tricky to narrow it down to just one!
My favorite way to streamline my ideas and curate a solid vision for a session is to create a mood board. For me, the creative process often starts on Pinterest where I can search for inspiration and start bringing the vision to life. It’s okay to start with lots of different ideas, vibes, or styles, but as you start to build your board, there often is one or two ideas that really stand out. Pay attention to which direction you are leaning towards and run with it!
For this session, I was instantly inspired by the almost geometric fruit designs on the packaging. I knew I could get crafty and curate a set that was colorful, vibrant, and screamed summer!
+ Props do NOT have to be expensive to be effective
Because this was a shop + shoot, all products were purchased by me, with my own money. So, the budget for this shoot was essentially $0! With that in mind, I knew I had to be frugal, but still execute my vision to it’s fullest.
With these type of tight-budget sessions, I always look to my prop stash and at items around my house first. I knew that I already had mason jars and some fun straws that were perfect for the fun, summer vibe, so I grabbed those right away. For the cutouts, which were the most important part of the design, I did have to go to a local craft store for scrapbook paper. This was essential as I wanted something sturdy and also had specific colors in mind. Lucky for me, the paper was on sale for less than $0.75 per page!
Overall, with purchasing the drink packets, this portfolio building session cost me less than $10 and I was able to shoot it in my living room! (Here is a little behind the scenes.)
+ Reigniting My Creativity
If this is the first post of mine you’re seeing, (Hi, welcome!! So glad you’re here :), you may be wondering, “What in the world is a Shop + Shoot”. When I was first getting started on my photography journey, I needed a way to build my portfolio and practice new techniques. Since I didn’t have brands knocking on my door to take photos (yet!), I had to get creative. I also needed a way to maintain my momentum, continue growing my skills, and building confidence behind the camera.
So, I started looking around my home for my favorite products to photograph. This then grew into supporting my local businesses by shopping small and sharing about them online. It is one of my favorite ways to give back to my community while also giving me the space to create without expectation. I can curate shoots with no creative direction and let my imagination run wild!
This week’s shop + shoot brought me to a local favorite, The Wink House. Located in Peoria, The Wink House features 40+ small businesses all under one roof—making it the perfect destination for shopping local and finding the perfect gift. Before I knew it, my arms were overflowing with amazing products and I was already planning my next trip for more. The owner, Andrea, has curated an incredible selection of small-business-made products and I couldn’t recommend visiting highly enough.
+ Central Illinois Product Photography
At Daisy + Coe, we know they’re so much more than photos. They are a path to connection, one of your best marketing tools, and a way to build trust with your audience. A strategic gallery of product photos works hard for you, drawing your audience in and turning browsers into buyers. Let them see how incredible your products are!
Investing in product photography can feel like a big step, which is why we pack our packages with as much value as possible—so you can feel confident you’re getting a strong return. As visual shoppers ourselves, we know that your audience forms an opinion before they ever read a word. Great photos stop the scroll, spark curiosity, and invite potential customers to explore more. When you lead with compelling imagery, you’re not just selling a product—you’re building trust and creating lasting connections with buyers who come back again and again.
+ Book Your Product Photoshoot
+ Learn More About the Daisy + Coe Experience
*Disclaimer: All products were purchased with my own money and have no affiliation with the brands mentioned.
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