At Story-Launch, we believe that every product photo can—and should—tell a story. Our latest project was for Lei Kava, a cozy kava bar known for its chilled slushies and soothing kava. If you’ve never heard of kava before, think of it as a traditional South Pacific beverage that promotes relaxation and calm. Our job was to photograph these vibrant drinks against a simple white background so potential customers could see exactly what they’re getting.
Below, we’ll walk you through our approach, gear choices, and some quick tips on how to handle common product photography challenges—especially if you’re shooting in a tight space or with time-sensitive beverages.
Why a White Background?
A clean white background has two primary benefits:
- Consistency – Images look polished and uniform, whether they’re displayed in a blog post, a social media feed, or an online menu.
- Focus – The bright surface ensures that the drinks’ natural colors, textures, and garnishes take center stage.
For Lei Kava, we wanted their customers to notice each drink’s unique hue—be it a tropical blue slushie or an earthy brown kava brew—without any visual distractions.
Our Minimal Setup
One of the biggest misconceptions about product photography is that it requires a massive studio and tons of equipment. In reality, you can get professional results with just a few essentials:
- Collapsible Light Box – This enclosed space diffuses light evenly and helps control reflections, which is crucial when dealing with clear or frosted glass.
- Portable Lighting – A couple of small LED panels or softbox lights are typically enough to illuminate the subject without harsh shadows.
- Sony Camera and Versatile Lenses – We chose Sony for its sharp image quality and color accuracy. You don’t need the latest high-end model, but a camera that allows for manual settings will make a big difference in fine-tuning exposure.
Because these items are compact, you can set up and tear down quickly—a big plus if you’re working in a bustling bar or café.
Timing Is Everything
When photographing cold drinks, especially icy slushies, you have a limited window before they start melting or separating. Here’s how we tackled that challenge:
- Pre-plan Each Shot – We arranged our light box, positioned our lights, and tested angles before any drinks arrived.
- Collaborate with the Bar Staff – We let them know exactly when we’d be ready for each drink. That way, we could get them at peak freshness—right when the ice crystals and frothy caps looked their best.
- Rapid-Fire Shooting – Instead of taking dozens of test shots once the drink was in place, we dialed in our camera settings beforehand. That allowed us to capture the perfect shot in just a few clicks.
Overcoming Reflections in Glassware
Glass can be tricky to shoot—it reflects everything in sight, including you and your camera. To minimize unwanted glare:
- Adjust the Light Angle – If you see reflections, tweak the positioning of your lights or your light box. Sometimes even a small shift can eliminate glare.
- Use a Polarizing Filter – While not always necessary, a polarizer can help reduce reflections on glass surfaces.
- Watch Your Own Reflection – If you’re too close to the glass, you might catch a glimpse of yourself or the camera in the shot. Step back slightly or change your angle.
The Final Result
By combining a minimalist setup with careful planning, we created images that highlight the full spectrum of Lei Kava’s beverages—from fruity slushies that scream summer refreshment to traditional kava that offers a calming escape. The white background not only made each color pop but also gave a clean, modern look that fits perfectly on digital menus and social media feeds.