how does soona work?
Plan a shoot in minutes - not days
Share your goals & plan your shoot in just a few steps. Select & pay for models & upgrades at this time.
Join your shoot & approve selects in real-time
Attend the live shoot from the platform. Collaborate with your photographer & give approvals in real time.
Order assets & get edits in 24 hours
Purchase what you love for $39 per photo + editing and $93 per video clip. Get free editing & assets in 24 hours with the Standard plan.
Optimize & improve performance
Measure listing performance over time, get actionable recommendations & instantly generate brand-ready imagery using AI.
frequently asked questions about soona
do I need to join my virtual shoot with a hand model?
Yes! We highly encourage attendance for all soona shoots, but especially encourage attendance for shoots with models or other pro-services. This is to ensure you can give live feedback to the model(s) and we can capture your content just the way you need it. We will continue shooting if you are not in attendance!
do hand models arrive with manicures?
The hand model service includes clean and unpolished nails that are cared for by the model themselves at home. Your model's hands will be moisturized and cuticles trimmed. Nails will be free of dirt and no longer than 1 cm in length above the fingertip.
If you want a custom polished look - use our custom manicure service for $99 per model.
what kind of models are available?
Our models are every day people local to our studios and our directory is constantly changing. Log into your soona account to browse our directory at book.soona.co/directory to see what kinds of people we may have available for your shoot.
You can book directly with any model in any city straight from the directory. After booking, you'll be able to filter and select your top preferred models from your booking's assigned city.
If you can't find a model that matches your vision, email us at hey@soona.co with the description of your preferences and we'll let you know what options are available.
how do soona prices compare to a modeling agency?
prices at modeling agencies can be variable and booking fees can differ from model to model. there are also usage + renewal fees to use the content after the shoot and there may be extra fees added due to contract negotiations.
at soona you pay a one-time fee that is the same for every soona model. and that’s it! there are no usage or renewal fees - so you never have to worry about where or when you can use your content!
do I need to join my shoot if I book a model?
Yes! We highly encourage attendance for all soona shoots, but especially encourage attendance for shoots with models or other pro-services. This is to ensure you can give live feedback to the model(s) and we can capture your content just the way you need it. We will continue shooting if you are not in attendance!
how much experience do your models have?
We pride ourselves on bringing everyday people local to our studios into our model directory. This allows us to celebrate diversity, accessibility and inclusivity. We offer a wide range of relatable models who have different levels of experience in production. All soona models undergo a test shoot and all operate under the same soona standards and expectations.
can I talk with my stylist before a shoot?
You can communicate live with stylists during shoot kick-off calls at the start of a shoot and using the chat feature during the shoot. Please provide clear shot lists and shoot goals before your shoot so our stylists can review and execute on your expectations.
If you're looking to talk to a soona team member before a shoot for production and shot list support you can use our producer service starting at $999.
are stylists creative directors?
Stylists help elevate and evolve an existing brand and shoot concept - they will efficiently recreate the shot list and shoot goals you provide. Our stylists follow your creative direction to setup scenes and capture your vision. Stylists do not define your brand's creative vision or manage your creative project. You must provide a shot list and shoot goals before your shoot for our stylists to review and follow.
For further assistance building a shot list and help with creative direction, you can use our Producer pro-service. Read more here.
what's the price of a stylist?
A stylist is $149 per hour.
Hot tip! To get 10% off all pro-services, sign up for our Standard membership.
what’s included?
inside our Etsy starter pack you’ll receive 5 photos and 1 hand model. what we recommend: utilize our white and colored backgrounds to capture multiple angles. insert your brand elements. bring your product to life with your included hand model in two lifestyle settings to really give your customers a feel for what your products might look and feel like in their hands.
what does fashion styling include?
Our fashion stylists can:
- Steam your items*
- Pin + fit apparel on models
- Create garment + accessory flatlays
If you're looking to include a mannequin in your shoot you can book our ghost mannequin service starting at $249 for seamless floating shots of your apparel.
There may be additional costs incurred if your product or shoot requires significant additional prepwork
how many items can you steam during my shoot?
We can steam up to 20 items. More than 20 items will require multiple steaming upgrades.
how was soona started?
soona was founded by Liz Giorgi and Hayley Anderson after realizing how hard and expensive it is to create professional photo & video. Liz and Hayley are a dynamic founding creative team with a shared vision of using tech to enhance the work of creatives and improve access to high-quality custom content.
what if I don't need a model for the entire shoot?
we suggest you make a booking dedicated to just model shots. this may mean you create two bookings - one for model photos and another for non-model photos.
for example: if you need 16 photos with no model and 12 photos with a hand model we suggest you book one hand model shoot in the 10-15 photo range. and book another shoot without a model in the 16-25 photo range.
if you have special shoot needs or need help with booking reach out to hey@soona.co for suggestions!
do I need to join my shoot if I book a model?
Yes! We highly encourage attendance for all soona shoots, but especially encourage attendance for shoots with models or other pro-services. This is to ensure you can give live feedback to the model(s) and we can capture your content just the way you need it. We will continue shooting if you are not in attendance!
how much experience do your models have?
We pride ourselves on bringing everyday people local to our studios into our model directory. This allows us to celebrate diversity, accessibility and inclusivity. We offer a wide range of relatable models who have different levels of experience in production. All soona models undergo a test shoot and all operate under the same soona standards and expectations.
what’s included?
our fashion starter pack includes 9 photos + a ghost mannequin and our professional fashion stylists to perfectly convey the details and dynamism of your clothing. these assets are perfect for any application. ecommerce shop. social channels. print. catalogs. and more!
is product assembly included in styling?
soona crew will assemble items that take one hour to assemble. There may be additional costs incurred if your product or shoot requires significant additional prep work
what if I need shots above the elbow? or want to feature other body parts?
For content that features anything more than hands (face, upper arms, torso, legs, feet), book a full body model!
Hand only shots can also be achieved with a full body model.
how many looks can the hair + makeup artist style during the shoot?
soona hair and makeup artists can accomplish up to two natural hair + makeup looks within one hour. We can style and photograph one look about every 30 minutes.
If your shoot goals require changing hair or makeup styles during the session be prepared to account for the extra styling time the artist needs to change the look.
If you have questions about your specific shoot needs and need duration suggestions email hey@soona.co.
what is A+ content?
any brand registered in the Amazon Brand Registry can now upgrade its product details page to include A+ content - formerly known as Enhanced Brand Content. this rich set of tools can improve sales by 5.6% as it allows you to supercharge your appearance in Amazon search and improve the overall conversion rate of each product details page on Amazon.
learn more on Amazon.com
do I need to join my shoot if I book a model?
Yes! We highly encourage attendance for all soona shoots, but especially encourage attendance for shoots with models or other pro-services. This is to ensure you can give live feedback to the model(s) and we can capture your content just the way you need it. We will continue shooting if you are not in attendance!
I’m a nail product brand. how can I showcase my product on models?
to get your nail brand or product looking its best on a model - book with our custom manicure service. the model(s) will take your product to a local salon and have a professional nail tech apply your product before the shoot.
please prepare to send an extra set or two of your product. one for photographing. and another for our models to take to the nail salon.
where can I browse the models that soona offers?
Log into your soona account to preview our Model Directory at book.soona.co/directory. You can book directly with a model in any city straight from the directory. Or after booking, browse available models in the city you're assigned during Model Selection.
what does fresh ingredient styling include?
Our fresh ingredient stylists can cut and assemble fresh or pre-cooked food + ingredients that you ship to our studio or are purchased through our grocery shopping service. Our kitchens are prop kitchens - therefore stylists are unable to cook or bake in-studio. If you want cooked or baked meals please use a food delivery service to deliver the meals to our studio the day of your shoot.
how does shipping work?
soona provides your first USPS label free! Click on the details tab of your booking and scroll down to the “ship your product” section. Click options + “create shipping label”.
What about return shipping?
During booking, you’ll share your preference for what to do with your product post-shoot.
Store: soona’s fast pass program stores your product and props in studio until your next shoot. $49 per month.
Return: We’ll send it right back for the cost of the label.
Discard: We’ll safely discard your product in a way that protects your brand.
what editing is included in the $39 photo cost? what are the $9 premium edits?
What editing is included in the $39 photo cost?
Each purchased $39 photo includes touch ups like exposure correction, color correction and one crop. These touch ups bring your photos to life from their raw state! Photos are delivered in 2 versions: a full-resolution JPEG and a web-ready JPEG.
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What are the $9 premium edits?
We offer premium edits for $9 per edit:
- Change background color / pure white
- Product touch-up
- Transparent background
- Buy the raw
- Smooth skin
- Create pattern
- Photoshop it
Hot tip! If you sign up for a Standard membership, your premium edits are FREE. Learn more here.
I’m not sure what to book! can soona recommend a booking?
We offer 2 types of shoots: Packs and build your own bookings.
Select “build your own” to choose each detail of your shoot and pay a la carte.
Not sure what you'd like? Select a pack! These shoots are discounted and created with ecommerce and social media best practices in mind.
Still have questions? Email our team at hey@soona.co and we will create a customized booking for you based on your goals.
what is soona? how do I get started?
soona is the first virtual studio for product photography. Our platform makes it possible for brands to create affordable content from anywhere. Our mission is to provide quality content for all.
1. Book and share your content goals
2. Ship us your goods (Your first label is on us! select “help me ship” on the details tab of your booking to generate your label)
3. Join your shoot via the blue chat bubble on your dashboard
4. Collaborate with your photographer and give real-time feedback via live chat
5. Shop your content a la carte immediately after your shoot We can’t wait to create together. Book here to get started.
if I choose grocery shopping: can soona just pick out things for my shoot?
We want to get exactly what you want for your shoot! We'll send a form for you to fill out and make a shopping list for us. Need some ideas? Check out our inspiration page to see what's possible at soona.
Please note: fresh ingredients are sourced at local grocery stores near each studio. Seasons can affect which fruits, vegetable, plants, or flowers are available.
what if i want to show more than just hands during the shoot?
The hand model pro service is just for hands. Please choose a full body model if you’d like to show any parts of the torso, legs, back, or face! If you need just lower legs and feet, you can book a foot model.
does styling include props?
Stylists have access to our standard studio props! Any props outside this list can be shipped to our studio. Book our grocery shopping services for any fresh ingredients you may need.
FAQs
you've got questions.
we've got the answers.
not seeing your question above? please email us at hey@soona.co and we will respond within 24 hours!
