Why you need a Product Stylist for your photoshoot (and what they actually cost)
Product photography is everywhere. But most product photography isn’t all that memorable. In fact, most of it is just… there. But the photos you remember? The ones that create confidence in the consumer that they should purchase a product? Well, you might think it’s all about good photography. But that isn’t 100% of the case. The best of the best usually come down to professional styling.
A product stylist transforms your shoot from basic to brilliant. They're the skilled hands behind those perfectly arranged flat lays. They're why your food shots look restaurant-worthy and your fashion content looks like it belongs in Vogue (not on FB Marketplace).
But what exactly does a product stylist do? When do you actually need one? And how much should you budget?
What is a Product Stylist?
A product stylist is a creative professional who sets up, arranges, and perfects every element in your product photos and videos. While your photographer captures the shot, your stylist makes sure everything in the frame tells the right story about your brand.
Think of it this way: photographers focus on lighting, angles, and technical execution. Stylists focus on everything else. The props, the arrangement, the mood, those tiny details that make viewers stop scrolling and start buying.
Product stylists bring specialized expertise depending on the industry. Fashion stylists know how to steam garments, pin clothing on models, and create cohesive looks. Food stylists understand how to make dishes camera-ready (and here's a secret: what looks good on camera isn't always what tastes best). Beauty stylists excel at creating swatches, arranging products, and selecting props that complement your packaging. And all of these stylists make sure your brand and packaging look picture-perfect.
When you actually need a Stylist
Not every shoot requires a stylist. But certain situations? Absolutely demand one.
Five or more items in a single frame. Managing multiple products while maintaining composition and visual hierarchy requires skilled hands. You'll end up with a cluttered mess if you try to DIY this. A stylist ensures each item gets proper attention.
Apparel photography. Clothing doesn't photograph itself well. It needs steaming, pinning, adjusting, and fitting to look its best on models, mannequins or flatlays. Without a stylist, you'll spend your entire shoot fighting wrinkles and awkward fits instead of capturing great content.
Food and beverage shoots. Food needs to look fresh, appetizing, and camera-ready for the duration of your shoot. Food stylists know techniques to keep products looking perfect under studio conditions. They can arrange ingredients, garnishes, and props to create that mouth-watering appeal that makes people want to order immediately.
Complex creative visions. When you have detailed mood boards, specific inspiration photos, or intricate shot lists, a stylist helps execute that vision efficiently. They're skilled at recreating looks you've seen elsewhere and adapting them to your brand aesthetic. This is where you really get your money's worth.
Lifestyle and scene-based shots. Creating a believable bedroom scene, a styled desk setup, or a cozy coffee moment involves more than just throwing products on a surface. Stylists understand composition, layering, and how to create depth and interest in lifestyle imagery.
Beauty product shots. Showing texture, creating swatches, and arranging skincare or makeup products in visually appealing ways requires specific knowledge about how these products photograph best. You can't just set them on a table and hope for the best.
What a Stylist actually does during your shoot
Professional stylists handle the hands-on work that brings your creative vision to life. They arrive prepared, move quickly, and focus on executing your shot list while the photographer handles the camera.
The basics: stylists set up scenes according to your shot list and creative direction. They arrange products, select and position props from the studio's collection, and adjust elements until the composition matches your vision. This includes creating flat lays, building lifestyle scenes, and styling tablescapes or surfaces.
Fashion and textile stylists steam garments (typically five small-to-medium items or one large item per hour). They fit and pin clothing on models, adjust accessories, and ensure every garment photographs without wrinkles or unflattering lines. They coordinate with any hair and makeup artists on set and make real-time adjustments as the shoot progresses.
Food stylists prep and arrange fresh ingredients. They plate dishes for maximum visual appeal and maintain the camera-ready appearance of food throughout the shoot. They can use fresh groceries through services like soona's grocery shopping add-on, but they don't cook or bake on set. Prop kitchens aren't equipped for that.
Beauty stylists create product swatches on panels or models, arrange SKUs aesthetically, and select complementary props and backgrounds. They prepare any fresh ingredients needed for natural beauty shots and ensure products look pristine while showcasing key features like texture and color.
Throughout the shoot, stylists at soona communicate with you in real-time during virtual sessions. You can provide feedback via chat, see photos as they're captured, and request adjustments. It's a collaborative process that ensures you get exactly what you need.
What Stylists don't do (and why that matters)
Understanding what stylists don't handle helps you plan your shoot properly and set realistic expectations.
Stylists aren't creative directors. They elevate and execute your existing creative vision, but they don't define it, that’s where you come in! You’ll need to share a clear shot list, mood board, and creative direction. Stylists efficiently recreate what you've outlined, but they won't build your brand's visual strategy from scratch. If you need help developing your creative concept or building your shot list, consider adding a producer to your project.
They don't source special props or groceries before your shoot. Studios typically provide a curated prop collection you can browse beforehand. If you need specific items not available in-studio, you'll need to ship them yourself or use additional services like grocery shopping for fresh ingredients.
Extensive product assembly isn't included. Standard setup that takes under an hour is typically included, but complex assembly requiring significant time costs extra.
No pre-shoot consultations. Communication happens through your shot list and during the shoot kickoff call, not in advance planning sessions.
The real ROI of hiring a Stylist
The cost of a stylist might make you hesitate. But consider what you're actually getting for that investment.
Stylists dramatically improve efficiency. One brand reported getting the same quality content that previously cost $150,000 from an agency for a fraction of that with professional styling at soona. Stylists work quickly and know exactly how to set up shots that convert. You complete your shot list faster and get more content in less time.
Professional styling directly impacts conversion rates. Eye-catching, well-styled product photos grab attention on crowded ecommerce platforms. Proper styling eliminates distractions, highlights key features, and creates emotional connections with potential buyers. Better click-through rates, higher sales.
Well-styled photos work across multiple channels. The same content adapts easily from social media to website hero images to Amazon listings. This versatility maximizes your content investment instead of forcing you to reshoot for every platform.
Quality styling elevates your brand perception, period. Customers make split-second judgments about product quality based on photo quality. Professional styling signals that your brand values quality and attention to detail. And customers transfer those qualities in their minds to your actual products.
Plus, when a stylist handles the setup, your photographer can focus entirely on lighting, composition, and capturing technically perfect images. This division of labor produces better overall results than asking one person to handle both roles.
How much does product styling cost?
At soona, product styling starts at $149 per hour. Most shoots range from one to four hours depending on complexity, shot list length, and the number of products you're photographing.
For context, traditional production usually involves booking a stylist for an entire day, regardless of how much content you need or how many products they are capturing. As a result, the day rates for stylists in major markets typically range from $1,000 a day in small markets to $10,000 a day for the best of the best in the industry in markets like LA and New York. The hourly model gives brands access to professional styling without the massive upfront investment.
Additional services that might factor into your budget:
- Grocery shopping for fresh ingredients: $79 plus the cost of goods
- Ghost mannequin styling for floating apparel shots: $129/hr
- Hand or full-body models to showcase your products: $79/hr and $159/hr
The photo and video assets themselves cost $39 per photo, $93 per video clip, and you only pay for what you love.
soona members who sign up for a Standard subscription get 10% off all pro services, including styling. Makes it even more cost-effective for brands who shoot regularly.
How to prepare for your styled shoot
Getting the most from your styling investment starts with proper preparation.
Create a detailed shot list before your shoot day. Include specific shots you need, reference images or inspiration, styling preferences, and any must-have product angles. The more specific you can be, the more efficiently your stylist can work. The sooner this is done, the better!
Prepare mood boards that communicate your brand aesthetic. Colors, textures, styling approaches, overall vibe. This visual reference helps stylists understand your vision quickly without a ton of back-and-forth.
Ship your products to the studio with plenty of lead time. Make sure everything arrives clean, assembled (if needed), and ready to photograph. Include any specific props or accessories that aren't available in-studio.
Review the studio's available props beforehand. Most studios let you browse their prop collection online so you can plan which items to incorporate. If you need fresh ingredients or groceries, add the grocery shopping service to your booking.
Communicate any special requirements or concerns in advance. Delicate products? Specific brand guidelines? Certain elements that are non-negotiable? Share that information upfront.
Be available during your shoot for real-time collaboration. Virtual shoots let you watch as photos are captured and provide feedback immediately. This is how you get exactly what you need without multiple rounds of reshoots.
Real results from real brands
Brands consistently report that professional styling transforms their content quality.
One customer shared: "Our entire team was blown away by the quality. This work surpassed our previous gold standard content that cost more than $150K from an agency. The prestige quality and styling was the best we've seen."
Another brand emphasized the collaborative aspect: "I chose to work with a stylist based on reviews and I'm glad I did. My stylist provided ideas and feedback that were in line with what I needed. I did a virtual session, and it was really neat to see photos taken in real time and communicate live with the stylist."
The efficiency gains matter too. Brands report completing complex shot lists quickly, getting more content than expected, and feeling confident their products look their absolute best.
Making the decision: DIY or hire a Stylist?
Simple shots with one or two products on a white background? You might be able to handle styling yourself. But once you're managing multiple products, creating lifestyle scenes, styling apparel, or shooting food and beauty products, professional styling becomes worth every dollar. Especially soona stylists!
The real question isn't whether you can afford a stylist. It's whether you can afford not to have one. In ecommerce, your photos do the selling. Poorly styled product shots don't just fail to convert. They actively hurt your brand by making your products look less valuable than they are.
Professional styling is an investment in content that performs. It's the difference between photos that shoppers scroll past and photos that stop them, make them click, and ultimately convince them to buy.
Ready to level up your product photography?
If you're serious about creating product content that converts, professional styling isn't optional. The combination of a skilled stylist and experienced photographer produces content that elevates your brand, showcases your products properly, and drives real business results.
soona makes professional styling accessible with hourly rates starting at $149, virtual shoot options that let you direct from anywhere, and a platform that delivers your edited assets within 24-72 hours. Studio-quality content without studio-level complexity or costs.
The brands winning in ecommerce aren't the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the ones that invest strategically in the content that matters. Professional product styling is one of those investments that consistently pays for itself in improved conversion rates, higher average order values, and stronger brand perception.
Your products deserve to look their best. A professional stylist makes sure they do, add one to your next shoot!
Why you need a Product Stylist for your photoshoot (and what they actually cost)
Product photography is everywhere. But most product photography isn’t all that memorable. In fact, most of it is just… there. But the photos you remember? The ones that create confidence in the consumer that they should purchase a product? Well, you might think it’s all about good photography. But that isn’t 100% of the case. The best of the best usually come down to professional styling.
A product stylist transforms your shoot from basic to brilliant. They're the skilled hands behind those perfectly arranged flat lays. They're why your food shots look restaurant-worthy and your fashion content looks like it belongs in Vogue (not on FB Marketplace).
But what exactly does a product stylist do? When do you actually need one? And how much should you budget?
What is a Product Stylist?
A product stylist is a creative professional who sets up, arranges, and perfects every element in your product photos and videos. While your photographer captures the shot, your stylist makes sure everything in the frame tells the right story about your brand.
Think of it this way: photographers focus on lighting, angles, and technical execution. Stylists focus on everything else. The props, the arrangement, the mood, those tiny details that make viewers stop scrolling and start buying.
Product stylists bring specialized expertise depending on the industry. Fashion stylists know how to steam garments, pin clothing on models, and create cohesive looks. Food stylists understand how to make dishes camera-ready (and here's a secret: what looks good on camera isn't always what tastes best). Beauty stylists excel at creating swatches, arranging products, and selecting props that complement your packaging. And all of these stylists make sure your brand and packaging look picture-perfect.
When you actually need a Stylist
Not every shoot requires a stylist. But certain situations? Absolutely demand one.
Five or more items in a single frame. Managing multiple products while maintaining composition and visual hierarchy requires skilled hands. You'll end up with a cluttered mess if you try to DIY this. A stylist ensures each item gets proper attention.
Apparel photography. Clothing doesn't photograph itself well. It needs steaming, pinning, adjusting, and fitting to look its best on models, mannequins or flatlays. Without a stylist, you'll spend your entire shoot fighting wrinkles and awkward fits instead of capturing great content.
Food and beverage shoots. Food needs to look fresh, appetizing, and camera-ready for the duration of your shoot. Food stylists know techniques to keep products looking perfect under studio conditions. They can arrange ingredients, garnishes, and props to create that mouth-watering appeal that makes people want to order immediately.
Complex creative visions. When you have detailed mood boards, specific inspiration photos, or intricate shot lists, a stylist helps execute that vision efficiently. They're skilled at recreating looks you've seen elsewhere and adapting them to your brand aesthetic. This is where you really get your money's worth.
Lifestyle and scene-based shots. Creating a believable bedroom scene, a styled desk setup, or a cozy coffee moment involves more than just throwing products on a surface. Stylists understand composition, layering, and how to create depth and interest in lifestyle imagery.
Beauty product shots. Showing texture, creating swatches, and arranging skincare or makeup products in visually appealing ways requires specific knowledge about how these products photograph best. You can't just set them on a table and hope for the best.
What a Stylist actually does during your shoot
Professional stylists handle the hands-on work that brings your creative vision to life. They arrive prepared, move quickly, and focus on executing your shot list while the photographer handles the camera.
The basics: stylists set up scenes according to your shot list and creative direction. They arrange products, select and position props from the studio's collection, and adjust elements until the composition matches your vision. This includes creating flat lays, building lifestyle scenes, and styling tablescapes or surfaces.
Fashion and textile stylists steam garments (typically five small-to-medium items or one large item per hour). They fit and pin clothing on models, adjust accessories, and ensure every garment photographs without wrinkles or unflattering lines. They coordinate with any hair and makeup artists on set and make real-time adjustments as the shoot progresses.
Food stylists prep and arrange fresh ingredients. They plate dishes for maximum visual appeal and maintain the camera-ready appearance of food throughout the shoot. They can use fresh groceries through services like soona's grocery shopping add-on, but they don't cook or bake on set. Prop kitchens aren't equipped for that.
Beauty stylists create product swatches on panels or models, arrange SKUs aesthetically, and select complementary props and backgrounds. They prepare any fresh ingredients needed for natural beauty shots and ensure products look pristine while showcasing key features like texture and color.
Throughout the shoot, stylists at soona communicate with you in real-time during virtual sessions. You can provide feedback via chat, see photos as they're captured, and request adjustments. It's a collaborative process that ensures you get exactly what you need.
What Stylists don't do (and why that matters)
Understanding what stylists don't handle helps you plan your shoot properly and set realistic expectations.
Stylists aren't creative directors. They elevate and execute your existing creative vision, but they don't define it, that’s where you come in! You’ll need to share a clear shot list, mood board, and creative direction. Stylists efficiently recreate what you've outlined, but they won't build your brand's visual strategy from scratch. If you need help developing your creative concept or building your shot list, consider adding a producer to your project.
They don't source special props or groceries before your shoot. Studios typically provide a curated prop collection you can browse beforehand. If you need specific items not available in-studio, you'll need to ship them yourself or use additional services like grocery shopping for fresh ingredients.
Extensive product assembly isn't included. Standard setup that takes under an hour is typically included, but complex assembly requiring significant time costs extra.
No pre-shoot consultations. Communication happens through your shot list and during the shoot kickoff call, not in advance planning sessions.
The real ROI of hiring a Stylist
The cost of a stylist might make you hesitate. But consider what you're actually getting for that investment.
Stylists dramatically improve efficiency. One brand reported getting the same quality content that previously cost $150,000 from an agency for a fraction of that with professional styling at soona. Stylists work quickly and know exactly how to set up shots that convert. You complete your shot list faster and get more content in less time.
Professional styling directly impacts conversion rates. Eye-catching, well-styled product photos grab attention on crowded ecommerce platforms. Proper styling eliminates distractions, highlights key features, and creates emotional connections with potential buyers. Better click-through rates, higher sales.
Well-styled photos work across multiple channels. The same content adapts easily from social media to website hero images to Amazon listings. This versatility maximizes your content investment instead of forcing you to reshoot for every platform.
Quality styling elevates your brand perception, period. Customers make split-second judgments about product quality based on photo quality. Professional styling signals that your brand values quality and attention to detail. And customers transfer those qualities in their minds to your actual products.
Plus, when a stylist handles the setup, your photographer can focus entirely on lighting, composition, and capturing technically perfect images. This division of labor produces better overall results than asking one person to handle both roles.
How much does product styling cost?
At soona, product styling starts at $149 per hour. Most shoots range from one to four hours depending on complexity, shot list length, and the number of products you're photographing.
For context, traditional production usually involves booking a stylist for an entire day, regardless of how much content you need or how many products they are capturing. As a result, the day rates for stylists in major markets typically range from $1,000 a day in small markets to $10,000 a day for the best of the best in the industry in markets like LA and New York. The hourly model gives brands access to professional styling without the massive upfront investment.
Additional services that might factor into your budget:
- Grocery shopping for fresh ingredients: $79 plus the cost of goods
- Ghost mannequin styling for floating apparel shots: $129/hr
- Hand or full-body models to showcase your products: $79/hr and $159/hr
The photo and video assets themselves cost $39 per photo, $93 per video clip, and you only pay for what you love.
soona members who sign up for a Standard subscription get 10% off all pro services, including styling. Makes it even more cost-effective for brands who shoot regularly.
How to prepare for your styled shoot
Getting the most from your styling investment starts with proper preparation.
Create a detailed shot list before your shoot day. Include specific shots you need, reference images or inspiration, styling preferences, and any must-have product angles. The more specific you can be, the more efficiently your stylist can work. The sooner this is done, the better!
Prepare mood boards that communicate your brand aesthetic. Colors, textures, styling approaches, overall vibe. This visual reference helps stylists understand your vision quickly without a ton of back-and-forth.
Ship your products to the studio with plenty of lead time. Make sure everything arrives clean, assembled (if needed), and ready to photograph. Include any specific props or accessories that aren't available in-studio.
Review the studio's available props beforehand. Most studios let you browse their prop collection online so you can plan which items to incorporate. If you need fresh ingredients or groceries, add the grocery shopping service to your booking.
Communicate any special requirements or concerns in advance. Delicate products? Specific brand guidelines? Certain elements that are non-negotiable? Share that information upfront.
Be available during your shoot for real-time collaboration. Virtual shoots let you watch as photos are captured and provide feedback immediately. This is how you get exactly what you need without multiple rounds of reshoots.
Real results from real brands
Brands consistently report that professional styling transforms their content quality.
One customer shared: "Our entire team was blown away by the quality. This work surpassed our previous gold standard content that cost more than $150K from an agency. The prestige quality and styling was the best we've seen."
Another brand emphasized the collaborative aspect: "I chose to work with a stylist based on reviews and I'm glad I did. My stylist provided ideas and feedback that were in line with what I needed. I did a virtual session, and it was really neat to see photos taken in real time and communicate live with the stylist."
The efficiency gains matter too. Brands report completing complex shot lists quickly, getting more content than expected, and feeling confident their products look their absolute best.
Making the decision: DIY or hire a Stylist?
Simple shots with one or two products on a white background? You might be able to handle styling yourself. But once you're managing multiple products, creating lifestyle scenes, styling apparel, or shooting food and beauty products, professional styling becomes worth every dollar. Especially soona stylists!
The real question isn't whether you can afford a stylist. It's whether you can afford not to have one. In ecommerce, your photos do the selling. Poorly styled product shots don't just fail to convert. They actively hurt your brand by making your products look less valuable than they are.
Professional styling is an investment in content that performs. It's the difference between photos that shoppers scroll past and photos that stop them, make them click, and ultimately convince them to buy.
Ready to level up your product photography?
If you're serious about creating product content that converts, professional styling isn't optional. The combination of a skilled stylist and experienced photographer produces content that elevates your brand, showcases your products properly, and drives real business results.
soona makes professional styling accessible with hourly rates starting at $149, virtual shoot options that let you direct from anywhere, and a platform that delivers your edited assets within 24-72 hours. Studio-quality content without studio-level complexity or costs.
The brands winning in ecommerce aren't the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the ones that invest strategically in the content that matters. Professional product styling is one of those investments that consistently pays for itself in improved conversion rates, higher average order values, and stronger brand perception.
Your products deserve to look their best. A professional stylist makes sure they do, add one to your next shoot!
