Outsource Vs. In-House Studios: Which is right for you?

Choosing a product photography service provider is no easy task.  From hiring freelance teams to building an in-house studio to hiring a product photography agency or studio, there are plenty of options to choose from. 

The key is to understand your brand’s needs now and project what you’ll need in the future.  Tying your business strategy in with your photo production strategy will set you up for long term success.

How much content do you need?

The first thing to consider when making your decision is the volume of your product assortment. 

Do you produce a handful of products per year or do you have thousands of products in production? 

If you only produce a few products, a freelance photographer or team may be a good option.  They will likely be able to take on your project quickly and, if

chosen well, produce quality work. 

If you are producing hundreds or even thousands of products annually, you may need to look at a more complex solution.  Higher volume means you’ll need a team or technology solution to manage all of those samples and assets to ensure everything stays organized and easily accessible.  The last thing you want is a lost or mislabeled sample or asset as that can derail an entire product launch!  

Higher volume will also impact speed and consistency.  A large in-house studio or professional studio partner should have the resources to produce consistent, brand-driven photography at every shoot.  Large external studios that are automated and focus more on speed versus quality may not be able to maintain your brand consistency—something you’ve probably spent hours fine tuning when it comes to your products. 

Look to a studio that partners closely with you and acts as an extension to your team with dedicated resources that will work on your account to keep things consistent.  “Having a cohesive category page is one of the most important qualities of a brand’s website” Alex Stone, Co-founder of Hyperblack Studios, says,  “Style guides and photo directives are always the first place our team looks when shooting to ensure consistent, brand-centric quality at every shoot.”

What type of content do you need?

The next thing to look at is the kind of content you’ll need.  Do you need ghost mannequin, on-model, creative flat lays, or video?  Maybe you need all of these content types.  If you only need one type of media or you can play the producer role, finding skilled freelancers may not be a problem, it just takes time. 

If you don’t have a large freelance network or the time to find one, a large full-service photo studio with the capabilities and skill to take on a variety of production is a great option.  A product photography agency will typically have teams with a range of talent and skill, so you don’t have to go out and find a crew each time you shoot. 

Perhaps you’re starting out with flat lays but you project growth for your brand and know you will want to produce more content and different types as you grow.  Finding a photo studio that can keep up with your growth will ensure content production does not hold you back as you scale.

How fast do you need it?

We all know that speed is an important factor in the production process and sometimes the most crucial.  With manufacturing delays, samples needed at five different places at once, and tight product launch timelines, getting product shot is often a headache within a product life cycle. 

If speed is most important to you, building a large studio in-house or partnering with a large product photo studio is typically the way to go.  Freelancers often don’t have a flexible enough schedule or the capabilities and resources to turn around assets quickly. 

Large in-house studios can be quick and flexible by prioritizing urgent content over less important brand initiatives, but they can also struggle if they are pulled in multiple directions from different departments.  Have you experienced the struggle of the marketing team battling with the ecomm team on priorities? 

A professional product photography agency should be able to handle speed with ease and not miss a step when volumes increase or different types of content is added.  Look for studios that have a defined, transparent process and can provide specific timelines with options to expedite.  If processes and timelines are not definitive and up to your standard, find a studio that matches your needs! You have enough to juggle when launching a product, don’t let creating content slow you down. 

Evaluating the pros & cons

There are pros and cons to each studio option you consider and looking at them critically before making a decision will lead you down the best path for your brand.  A freelance photographer is a great option if you need a highly personalized approach, have a small SKU count, and you don’t need a variety of content.  Building an in-house studio can be a big undertaking but is perfect for brands who want the control and management of doing it under one roof, desire more flexibility with samples and priorities, and have enough SKUs to employ full-time staff.  Lastly, an outsourced product photography agency is a great alternative for those brands who need a scalable solution without the added responsibility of managing an in-house team and need speed without sacrificing quality.    

If hiring a full-service product photography studio sounds like the right option for your brand or you’d like a consultation on building your own in-house studio, we’d love to help! Get in touch with us to learn more.