White Background vs. Lifestyle Shots: Choosing the Right Image for Ecommerce
Ecommerce shoppers can’t smell your fresh-roasted coffee beans or taste that perfectly seasoned chip through a screen—so your product photography has to do the heavy lifting.
One of the most common questions I hear from founders and marketing directors is: Should we go with crisp white background images or playful lifestyle shots?
After shooting everything from a Truff x Starbucks collab to cozy Oat Nog GIFs for Elmhurst 1925, I can tell you—it’s not an either/or answer. Both have their place, and knowing when to use each can make all the difference in your ecommerce strategy.
Why I Love White Backgrounds?
White background images are the unsung heroes of ecommerce. They may not be flashy, but wow, do they get the job done.
Here’s why I rely on them for every CPG brand I work with:
They’re clean and consistent. If you’ve got multiple SKUs, a unified look matters.
They’re often required. Platforms like Amazon or Walmart literally won’t let you skip them.
They show the product exactly as it is. No distractions, no fluff.
When I worked with Truff, I shot a whole series of crisp white background product photos for their ecommerce listings. Customers got a crystal-clear view of the product, and then we layered in styled lifestyle shots for social campaigns. It gave them both practicality and personality—the best of both worlds.
Why Lifestyle Shots Steal the Show?
Let’s be honest: white background photos sell the product, but lifestyle shots sell the experience. This is where I get to have fun and bring your brand to life.
Lifestyle shots are powerful because:
They create an emotional connection. (It’s not just oat milk—it’s a cozy Saturday morning latte moment.)
They showcase brand personality. Props, lighting, styling—all the details that make your product feel like you.
They’re perfect for ads and social. No one’s double-tapping a plain white background photo on Instagram.
One of my favorite shoots was with Mila’s dessert dumplings. I focused on styling the dumplings to look fresh, warm, and inviting — arranging them neatly, highlighting texture, and adding subtle props that enhance the dish without distraction. Those images didn’t just make you hungry—they made you want to join the table. That’s the magic of lifestyle photography.
So, Which One Does Your Brand Really Need for Ecommerce?
My honest answer: both.
Ecommerce is all about balance. White background photos keep your listings sharp and professional (perfect for ecommerce platforms and product listings), while lifestyle photography tells the story that makes people fall in love with your product (perfect for marketing—social, ads, email campaign). Put them together, and you’ve got a powerful toolkit that builds trust and drives cravings.
Bonus points for stop motion or playful GIFs. (Like the seasonal stop motion I created for Elmhurst 1925 that made people pause mid-scroll.)
I think of it as building a visual toolkit. Each style serves a purpose, and together they make your brand both professional and full of personality. And if you’re looking for extra ecommerce pointers, I recommend checking out Shopify’s guide to product photography.
How Do I Bring Brands to Life?
A well-planned photoshoot not only highlights your product’s quality but also strengthens your brand’s story across websites, social media, and ecommerce platforms. At MisaHungry Media, I like to think of myself as your creative partner in crime. Whether I’m shooting clean product photos, cozy lifestyle shots, or quirky stop motion video, my goal is always the same: help your CPG brand look amazing and grow.
Sometimes that means a full Seattle photography studio shoot. Other times, it’s a carefully styled remote photoshoot with props and sets shipped right to me. Either way, I take care of the details—styling, photo editing—so you end up with a gallery of food images you’re proud to put in front of your customers.
Because at the end of the day, great photography doesn’t just show your product—it makes people hungry for it. And that’s exactly what I love creating. Get in touch today to start planning your next photoshoot!
