Drinks photography of Irish Sisters soft drinks
As a commercial photographer based in Northern Ireland, much of my work centres around the vibrant and ever-growing food and drink industry. Recently, I had the pleasure of collaborating on a drinks photography shoot with a Northern Ireland company for their new soft drink brand, "Irish Sisters," aimed at the home market as well as U.S. This project involved capturing two distinct flavours—Raspberry and Rosewater, and Fiery Ginger Wine—each with its own unique flavours.
The Creative Brief
The company’s vision for the shoot was clear: they wanted the Raspberry and Rosewater drink to evoke the light, cheerful essence of summer. On the other hand, the Fiery Ginger Wine needed to communicate a sense of warmth, richness, and boldness—a drink for those cooler, more introspective moments. The challenge in drinks photography lies in capturing the essence of each flavour and translating it into an image that connects with the consumer.
Bringing Summer to Life: Raspberry & Rosewater drinks photo shoot
For this drink the goal was to create an atmosphere that felt fresh, light, and vibrant, with a clear nod to the joys of summer. For props I chose to use fresh, juicy raspberries, which not only highlighted the primary flavour but also provided a vibrant pop of colour. To add texture and an element of coolness, I incorporated crushed ice and fresh mint leaves, elements that immediately invoke the sensation of a refreshing summer drink—critical elements in successful drinks photography.
Fiery and Bold: Capturing the Warmth of Ginger Wine
The Fiery Ginger Wine presented a different challenge. The brief called for rich, moody colours to represent the warmth and depth of this bold flavour. To achieve this, I used darker wood settings, utilising deep hues and shadows to emphasise the drink’s richness—a technique often employed in drinks photography to convey mood and character. I incorporated elements like sliced ginger and orange, which not only added visual interest but also symbolised the spicy, fruity and warming qualities of the drink.
The contrast between the bright ginger slices and the warm, amber tones of the wine helped create a sense of winter comfort, a perfect reflection of the drink’s fiery character. This drinks photography setup ensured the essence of coziness and warmth that the client wanted to highlight was fully captured.
A Collaborative Success
One of the most rewarding aspects of this drinks photography shoot was the collaborative process with the client. They were actively involved, providing input and feedback as we worked through different compositions and lighting setups. It was important for me to not only meet but exceed their expectations, and I’m pleased to say that the client was thrilled with the results.
“Fantastic experience with Sohaila at Vizz Creative. Professional from start to finish. So many ideas put together for us. We could not be anymore delighted with the photos we received. We will be certainly retuning yo use your services again in the future.”
Lora Adair (Irish Sisters)
From the refreshing and summery vibe of the Raspberry and Rosewater shoot to the moody, comforting warmth of the Fiery Ginger Wine, this project perfectly illustrated how drinks photography can communicate the essence of a brand through visual storytelling.
Additional Drinks photography
In addition to photographing Irish Sisters' soft drinks, I also had the pleasure of capturing Longbridge’s refreshing Pink Grapefruit Soda for the same client. For this shoot, I carefully selected props that would enhance the vibrant, citrusy essence of the drink. Slices of pink grapefruit and sprigs of fresh rosemary were used to create a clean, refreshing composition that perfectly complemented the product. The combination of vivid colours and fresh ingredients helped convey the soda's crisp and invigorating qualities. The client was delighted with the final result, as it truly brought their brand vision to life.
Final Thoughts
Working in drinks photography allows me to bring products to life in a way that speaks directly to consumers, and this shoot for "Irish Sisters" was no exception. It was a fun and creatively challenging project, and I’m excited to see how the brand will be received in Northern Ireland and in the U.S. market. As always, the key to a successful drinks photography shoot is a clear vision, attention to detail, and strong collaboration with the client.
If you're in need of striking visual content for your brand, whether in the food and drink industry or beyond, feel free to reach out. Together, we can create something that not only looks great but tells your brand’s story in a way that resonates with your audience.