Business documentaries

Last month, I had the pleasure of working on a vibrant lifestyle product shoot in Amsterdam, capturing bold and colorful statement earrings in everyday settings. This wasn’t just a stroll through the city, it was a commercial session with a clear visual mission: to show how the owner herself wears and styles her brand of earrings in daily life.

Our goal was to combine candid, lifestyle storytelling with strategic visual focus, keeping the earrings as the hero product without making the shots feel staged or overly commercial. We wandered through the charming Museumkwartier and PC Hooftstraat, where the 1890s architecture lent a modern, elegant backdrop to our visual story. The sun was on our side, and we made the most of the bright weather to keep things fresh, bold, and filled with natural color.

The Customer Vision

Before the session, the customer shared her vision:

“Lifestyle photoshoot / product photography capturing bold and colorful statement earrings"

To bring that vision to life, I drew on past experience photographing a Belgian accessories brand (earrings and handbags), and planned a shoot that was both efficient and expressive. Jewelry photography demands versatility, so I brought along a macro lens for detailed shots, allowing us to blend wider lifestyle images with tight, high-resolution close-ups.

Personal vs. Commercial Use: What's the Difference?

At first glance, a personal and a commercial shoot may look similar, especially when the style is casual, candid, and story-driven. But the intention behind each frame is entirely different:

Commercial Shoots (like this one): Each image is carefully composed to highlight the product in real-world use. While the model (in this case, the brand owner) is part of the story, the earrings are always in focus—literally and creatively. The styling, framing, and even walking angles are designed to show how the product looks when worn.

Personal Shoots: These tend to focus more on emotional connection, movement, and storytelling without the need for product emphasis. Poses are looser, the background often plays a stronger role, and the intent is often memory over marketing.

Despite the differences, I apply the same approach to privacy and image selection in both types of sessions. Whether you're capturing personal memories or building your brand, you deserve thoughtful image curation and a gallery that respects your comfort and goals. One special request from the client: All the pictures are vertical.

A Word from the Client

After the session, the customer shared this lovely message:

"It was such a wonderful afternoon with Joanna. With her approachable yet professional personality, she made the whole photoshoot a wonderful experience for me! Thanks to her, I have a fantastic selection of photos throughout the city! Thanks, Joanna, for creating these memorable pictures together!"

Sessions like this are a reminder of how meaningful commercial content creation can be, not just for brands, but for the people behind them.

If you’re looking to capture your product in action, with a lifestyle, editorial, or casual-chic twist—I’d love to help you bring your vision to life.

Let’s chat!

This one was captured for Flytographer. Until next photo session,

Joanna

Branding & Vacation Photographer based in Amsterdam

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