Chicago Product Photography Studio
Softgoods & Apparel Photography:
Fabric. Texture. Drape.
Softgoods photography covers any product with a fabric or flexible structure: apparel, bags, bedding, pillows, towels, rugs, and similar items. These products require specific handling and lighting to show texture, drape, and structure accurately.
Every Fabric and Flexible Product
Softgoods is a broad category. It covers apparel from t-shirts to structured outerwear, bedding and home textiles like comforters, sheets, and pillowcases, accessories like bags, belts, and wallets, and any product where the way fabric falls or drapes is part of what you're selling.
Each product type needs different handling. A structured blazer needs to look structured. A throw blanket needs to show the texture and weight of the fabric. Bedding needs to convey softness without looking shapeless. Getting softgoods right is about understanding what makes each product appealing and finding the light and composition that communicates it.
Showing Garments the Right Way
For apparel, how a garment is presented matters as much as the garment itself. We offer three main approaches: flat lay, ghost mannequin, and on-figure with a live model. Flat lay works for simple items or when you need a large volume of consistent catalog shots. Ghost mannequin gives garments shape and structure without showing a model, which is efficient and works well for most catalog needs.
Live model photography shows a garment in motion, in context, and on a human body, which is essential for anything where fit and movement are part of the appeal. We can source models for your shoot or work with models you provide. We'll recommend the right approach based on the garment type and how the images will be used.
Straightforward answers to the questions we hear most often about softgoods and apparel photography.
01What types of softgoods do you shoot?
We shoot the full range: apparel, activewear, bedding and home textiles, bags and accessories, shoes, hats, and any other product with a fabric or flexible structure. If the product drapes, folds, or needs specific handling to show its qualities, it falls into softgoods.
02Do you offer ghost mannequin photography?
Yes. Ghost mannequin, sometimes called invisible mannequin, is a post-production technique that removes the mannequin from the image while keeping the garment looking filled and structured. It's efficient for catalog apparel photography where you need a clean, consistent look without a model.
03Can you source models for on-figure apparel photography?
Yes. We can source models for your shoot through our local network, or you can bring your own. Either way, casting should be confirmed well before the shoot day. We can advise on model selection based on the specific garments and how the images will be used.
04How do you handle bedding and large textile products?
Bedding products like comforters, duvets, and sheet sets require specific setup to show volume, texture, and quality. We use a combination of styling and lighting to communicate the softness and structure of the product. For on-white bedding shots, we work carefully to achieve clean backgrounds while preserving fabric edge detail.
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