Our first studio shoot
When I set out to produce out first studio shoot I teamed up with my little brother Joaquim, a talented photographer and creative.
BTS shot by Jordan
Written by Joaquim Gruber
This shoot came together between my brother and I as a way to showcase his first collection of vests. The goal was pretty simple: get clean, consistent shots that highlight the fit, texture, and details of each piece without losing the playful and human touch behind the project. Every vest is a little different in tone and pattern, and we wanted the images to reflect that individuality while keeping things minimal and to the point so that any customers could see themselves within the photos.
Planning & Vision
We began by outlining what we needed from this shoot: a clean, controlled setting where color and texture could be accurately represented. We wanted each vest to be shown both on a hanger and on a diverse group of models, showcasing the versatility of the garment.
Studio & Equipment Setup
We shot at Very Good Collectives studio in downtown Seattle using a Fuji X-T2 mirrorless camera with a 18-55mm zoom lens. For lighting, we used a single large strobe with a large soft-box as our key light and a smaller fill light with an umbrella. The strobe was placed at about head-level at 45 to the model and 6-8 ft away. The fill light was placed 6 ft away, parallel to the model, at hip level and at a 45 to the backdrop. The combination of the two lights lit the models subtly without eliminating depth. The clean backdrop allowed the vests’ patterns and colors to take center stage.
Camera Settings:
- ISO: 400
- Shutter Speed: 1/250s
- Aperture: f/8
Execution & Direction
Once all our lighting and camera equipment was setup, we started off with the product shots as they would be the quickest and simplest shots to do. To showcase the garment’s structure and details, we photographed each vest on a hanger using a simple clothing rack. The rest of the day was then spent on portraits, working with a handful of friends and collaborators coming in and out of the studio. For the portraits we looked to have a variety of poses from basic standing shots to more natural and candid shots. These shots helped convey the relaxed, everyday wearability and versatility of the vests between different people and styles.
Post-Processing & Final Touches
Photos were lightly color-corrected to stay true to the fabric’s tones, with minimal retouching to maintain the honesty of the materials and the people wearing them.
Closing Thoughts
This shoot was a special project, not just because it marked the launch of Ayiyi, but because it was a collaboration between two brothers. Every step, from visualizing lighting to calling in friends as models, was driven by shared vision and experimentation. We’re proud of how it turned out and stoked for what’s next.
If you have any specific questions about our studio setup or process, we’d love to help. This was our first time doing a shoot like this and we learned a ton along the way. Feel free to reach out; sharing these insights is how we pay it forward.
