Behind the Lens: Creating Elemental Herbology’s Latest Lifestyle and product Photography Campaign at The Brighton Studio

Every now and then, a project comes along that feels like the perfect blend of creativity, collaboration, and clarity — and that’s exactly what we experienced during our recent shoot for Elemental Herbology. Over several thoughtfully planned days, we brought their clean, botanical-forward skincare brand to life through beautiful lighting, glowing skin, and a product lineup that speaks for itself.

From the energy on set to the final, polished product shots, here’s a deeper look behind the scenes of the shoot — both with models and still life — that helped capture the soul of the brand.

Day One: Humans, Hydration & High Vibes

Location: The Brighton Studio

Focus: Lifestyle photography & video with models

Team on site: Client, Marketing Manager, Makeup Artist, Photographer

We kicked things off at the beautifully minimal Brighton Studio — a location that offered plenty of natural light and an organic, neutral-toned backdrop that perfectly complemented Elemental Herbology’s aesthetic.

From the beginning, the direction was clear: this shoot was about more than just products. It was about moments. Everyday rituals. The calm confidence that comes from taking care of your skin. With the client and marketing manager present, we were able to fine-tune each shot in real time — adjusting lighting setups, angles, and poses to ensure the visuals aligned seamlessly with the brand’s updated campaign strategy.

The Models

We worked with a diverse group of models, each bringing their own natural charm and energy to the shoot. Whether applying moisturiser, rolling on eye cream, or simply enjoying a fresh-faced moment, the emphasis was always on real skin. Healthy. Hydrated. Happy.

A portrait-style photograph by a Sussex Lifestyle Photographer captures a person with light skin and their hair pulled back, gently applying a clear skincare product to their face with both hands. Their eyes are closed, and they have a serene expression. The background is a plain, warm beige tone, keeping the focus entirely on the person and the skincare application. The lighting is soft and even, highlighting the texture of the skin and the product. — Healthy. Hydrated. Happy.

The Makeup: Barely There, Beautifully Done

A key element in achieving this natural look was the expert hand of Maisie B, who crafted barely-there makeup that enhanced each model’s glow without masking their skin’s true texture. Her attention to detail — from smoothing hydration on camera-ready skin — ensured every frame felt effortless and editorial.

Man holding a bottle of Elemental Herbology Hydra Screen SPF 50+ against beige background, wearing a dark top, looking calm. — Male Model showing SPF50

Photography & Video: In Motion and In Focus

We captured both stills and short-form video content — showcasing product applications, serene skincare moments, and slow, intentional gestures. Every movement was designed to evoke the sensory experience of using Elemental Herbology’s formulas — from the smooth glide of a serum to the refreshing touch of a cooling eye roller.

Short-form video of Elemental Herbology Vital Cleanse

We also grabbed a few tighter editorial-style shots of the products in hand, skin textures, and post-application glows — perfect for social and web content.

Close-up of a hand applying soap to a shoulder, creating sudsy bubbles on smooth skin. The background is a soft beige, suggesting a calm mood. — Body Cleanse

Day Two: Clean, Controlled, and Calm — Product Stills

With the lifestyle shoot wrapped, we transitioned into product photography, this time working from a separate setup.

This day was entirely remote-approved, with the client providing real-time feedback via shared previews. The key here was consistency, elegance, and showcasing the products in a way that felt both high-end and approachable.

The Setup

We opted for both soft, diffused lighting style and colourful images with pop. Each bottle, tube, and pump was styled simply, with subtle adjustments to orientation, spacing, and props to highlight different product benefits or ingredients.

From flat-lays to upright studio shots, each frame had to align with Elemental Herbology’s overall brand narrative: grounded in nature, backed by science, and aesthetically serene.

Skincare products on a beige surface: brown bottle, white jars labeled "elemental herbology." Natural, calming mood with green leaves. — Wood Collection

Remote Collaboration

Despite being off-site, the client remained closely involved. Thanks to clear pre-shoot planning and real-time image sharing, we moved quickly and efficiently — adjusting compositions and styling as needed to meet the exact brief.

What Made This Shoot Special?

Collaboration: Having the client and marketing manager on-set for Day One allowed us to truly align visually and creatively from the first shot.
Team Chemistry: From Maisie’s on-point skin prep to the models’ energy and the behind-the-scenes support crew, the vibe on set was fun, focused, and fluid.
Attention to Detail: Whether it was capturing the glint of light off a bottle or the moment a serum melts into skin, we approached every frame with care.
Dual-Approach: Shooting both models and product shots as separate days allowed each to have their moment — and gave us the time to do each properly.

Final Thoughts

Elemental Herbology is a brand that’s all about balance — between nature and science, simplicity and luxury, function and feeling. This shoot was designed to reflect that ethos in every shot, and we couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out.