My Workflow When I’m Doing a Jewellery Shoot

Not all photographers and videographers work on concepts for campaigns, but most of the clients I work with need their collections shot on a monthly basis, targeting a specific market. They carefully define the topic of their collection and lay out their goal. I develop several ideas that contribute to the brand's narrative by using these criteria as a starting point and carefully going over their style guide.

An exciting process is just getting started. Some concepts are more complex and need careful planning to implement.  Then comes the technique and the battle of challenges that come with shooting jewelry ensuring that the intricate diamond details don’t get lost amidst all the creative elements, while making sure everything marries well together.

The fire collection Creator: Esha Chandarana

One of the most interesting projects I worked on was a collection inspired by the four elements of nature: Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. While each element had its unique challenges, the one that stood out the most for me was Fire—it was both the most challenging and the most fun to execute.

Challenges and Execution

The key challenge in this shoot was balancing the fast motion of the flame while keeping the jewellery details intact. Because fire is unpredictable, the jewellery’s delicate features could be easily overpowered by its intense brilliance, giving it a blurry or out-of-focus appearance. To overcome this, I had to employ high-speed lights to enable a quick shutter speed, guaranteeing that the flame's motion was captured clearly and without blur.

However, the flame’s intensity made it difficult to keep the jewellery in sharp focus, and sometimes the light was too strong, washing out the finer details. To counter this, I used focus stacking, capturing To produce a single, crisp, detailed image, several photos at various focus points In post-production, they are blended. I also used light filters in a few areas to balance the exposure so that the jewels and the flames were incorporated well together.

Post-Production and Last Touches

Following the shoot, the final challenge was during post-production. There, I stitched together the focus-stacked photos, sharpened colours, and ensured lighting and contrast were optimally balanced to achieve the desired effect It required a steady touch and a sharp eye to make everything look as sophisticated and natural as possible.

Key Takeaways from This Shoot: Important Lessons Learnt 

1. Practice your shots beforehand

The art of jewellery photography demands accuracy. Testing light configurations, angles, and composition beforehand guarantees a flawless shoot. Because metals and gemstones reflect light differently, I can adjust highlights and shadows for a polished finish during trial runs prior to the photo.

2. Establish a Comprehensive Timetable

Procrastination is avoided and all scheduled shots may be filmed without hurrying thanks to a well-organised process. I make a shot list, assign time slots for each setup, and match it with the client's style guide. This reduces last-minute changes and preserves order.

3. Post-Production Can Enhance but Not Fix Everything

Editing completes photographs but cannot fix fundamental mistakes. Overexposed gemstones or harsh reflections are difficult to fix in post. This is why I attempt to have composition and light right in-camera while using post-production to adjust finer details like colour and sharpness.

4. Technical Accuracy versus Creativity

Jewellery photography blends technical skill with artistic vision. This project challenged me to experiment, adapt, and push my creativity. It was tremendously satisfying to watch my work come to life, and I learn something new from every single production.

Every project has its own set of difficulties, but conquering them adds excitement and fulfilment to the process. My passion for this skill stems from my constant learning.

Mastering the Art of Jewellery Photography 

Every shoot comes with unique challenges, but the key is in the details balancing light, motion, and precision to create a flawless final image. If you're passionate about

capturing the true brilliance of jewellery, let’s connect!

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and Stay tuned for more insights, experiences, and creative tips!