I recently had the chance to work with a new client that truly felt like a dream collaboration — a small, family-owned organic farm that produces freeze-dried herbs and spices. Honestly, clients like this are exactly what I’ve always hoped to attract with my photography. Their values, the honesty behind their work, and their commitment to sustainability really resonated with me.
The farm found me on Instagram and reached out with a simple yet exciting request: they wanted several of their spice jars photographed. These weren’t just products to them — they were the result of careful cultivation and ethical practices. I felt honored that they trusted me with such a meaningful part of their business.
At first, I did what I usually do — browsed Pinterest, searched for ideas, and tried to find inspiration for how to present spices in a natural, authentic way. But somewhere along the process, something shifted. I stopped overthinking and just let myself be led by creativity. Instead of trying to mimic other examples, I created the scenes using what I had at home, trusting my own visual instinct and aesthetic. Well, I aactually bought a pot for the plant in the background ant the plant itself (it's just fresh rosemary), and chilli peppers as well as the Maldon salt flakes used in their spices and used in the photos. And some fresh herbs as well as garlic - ok, so I did not just use what I had at home haha.
The client gave me full creative freedom, which was such a gift. It’s rare to find clients who understand the value of visual storytelling and are willing to trust the artist’s eye. That freedom allowed me to play, explore, and photograph in a way that felt genuinely enjoyable. I used natural light coming from a window — something I always go to because of how soft and honest it feels.
For the surface, I used a wooden board I had on hand. I wanted the photos to feel grounded and earthy, something that reflected both the farm and the ingredients themselves. To change things up, I added different backgrounds — I have some plastic photo backdrops, and few of them has a rustic brick texture that worked beautifully. I also used a basic white reflector to soften some of the shadows and add light on the metallic jar lids. It was just enough to lift the scene without overpowering the natural feel.
Technically, I shot tethered — connecting my camera to the laptop so I could see everything in real-time and fine-tune details without guessing. It helped me work more efficiently and gave me confidence in the composition. I had my camera mounted on a tripod to keep things stable and allow me to adjust small elements between shots without losing my frame. Everything came together in this quiet, intuitive flow — it felt peaceful, focused, and creatively fulfilling.
What made the experience even more special was how positive the client’s response was. They were genuinely happy with the results, and that meant so much to me. It’s not just about delivering pretty photos — it’s about making something that aligns with their story and their vision. After I sent the finished shots, they actually sent me two more spice jars to photograph, along with a request for a group shot of all the products together. I'll probably share those results soon too!
I wanted to share this here with the photography community not just to show the final images (which I’ve included below), but to express how grateful I am when these kinds of ethical, small-scale, and authentic clients come into my life. It reminds me why I do what I do. It’s not just about business or perfection — it’s about connection, trust, and translating someone’s values into visuals.
This shoot was a reminder to keep doing what feels true to me and to trust that the right people will find me!
This is just a quick look at what the scene looked like:
📸 And edited images from the shoot are below.
Thank you for reading!
