Salato Designs

Jul 20

Lifestyle Product Imagery for Artisan Handbags and Totes

Brand Overview

Salato Designs, owned by my friend Katie, focuses on handmade clutches, totes, and purses that blend classic styles with a modern twist. The brand is defined by its use of high-quality leather and colorful Pendleton wool prints to create unique, timeless accessories. Because each handbag is made to order, quality is the primary focus, with an emphasis on creating pieces that are built to last.

Project Objective

The goal for this shoot was to create lifestyle product imagery for three of the Katie’s newest additions: a Pendleton tote, a cane tote, and an Italian leather backpack. She requested a set of visuals that captured the Western influence found in the bag designs while maintaining a modern feel. The objective was to produce images with warm, golden-hour edits to highlight the high-quality textures of the leather and the colorful wool prints.

Production Challenges

The primary challenge for this shoot was the timing. While Katie requested a warm, golden-hour aesthetic, the shoot had to take place during the morning. This meant I could not rely on the natural low-angle light of a sunset to create the desired mood. I had to find ways to replicate that specific atmosphere through a combination of on-site light management and technical post-production. Navigating the brighter morning light while aiming for a dimmer, more atmospheric result required a very intentional approach to both shooting and editing.

Creative Process

To align with the brand’s Western-inspired vibe, we selected the historic wagon shop in Steilacoom as the location. To manage the morning light, I sought out open shade provided by the shop, which allowed for even lighting on the textures of the leather and wool. Katie modeled the three new pieces herself and styled the look with cowgirl boots to go with her desired scene.

In the editing phase, I focused on transforming the morning shots into the requested golden-hour look. I used a warm white balance and intentionally pulled the exposure down to create the dimmer, more intimate feel Katie requested. This technical shift in post-production ensured the final imagery captured the warmth and depth of golden hour, providing Katie with a cohesive gallery that reflects her modern Western aesthetic.