Reverse Engineering a Commercial Shoot:
Lunar Tides
The Client
Lunar Tides Hair, known for bold, alternative hair colours with cult status online.
The Brief
To create product imagery for the launch of their new neon range, each shade inspired by fruit (think: neon dragonfruit). The client wanted something vibrant, fresh, and fun, with fruit and water elements baked into the concept. Luckily, they were already fans of my work and gave me creative freedom, as long as I kept those juicy cues front and centre.
The Approach
We developed a cohesive look by building each shot around a monochromatic colour story and a single fruit + product pairing. I kept the watery setting consistent, using translucent trays, reflective surfaces, and fresh produce to unify the sets. While each setup had its own bold palette, the overall vibe stayed harmonious.
Styling-wise, the fruit really did the heavy lifting, evocative, fresh, and full of movement once paired with water. Lighting was kept bright and crisp to enhance the neon colours and watery textures without feeling
The Challenge
One product had a misprinted lid label (post-production nightmare), and sourcing guava in the middle of the winter in the UK was not easy (nor cheap!). This shoot was also a great bootcamp for shooting with water. It made me upgrade my wet set supplies, such as trays etc.
The Results
Client feedback? ‘We absolutely LOVE these photos they are perfect.’ That’s the only kind of email you want to receive after image delivery. ðŸ¤
The final gallery was bright, punchy, and weirdly mouthwatering. It showed how a clear creative thread can tie together a range of colours and compositions into a visually tight set.
What I learned
Even with separate sets, you can make a collection feel like one world if the sensory cues are strong enough. This was a mini masterclass in water styling and a reminder that my special interests (deliciously bold colour and human-crafted visuals) are a creative superpower, not a quirk.
Marianne
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