Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What AI tools can create photorealistic product images with lifestyle scenes for drinks products?
Members exploring AI-generated product photography have had mixed results so far. The most concrete recommendation that emerged: - **Generative AI in Photoshop** — mentioned as a reliable option for creating product images with scenes - **Midjourney** — flagged as a tool being explored for this use case One member experimented with these approaches while working on product photography (specifically for a vanilla and caramel Irish whiskey liqueur), though the overall feedback suggests the quality and photorealism of outputs remain inconsistent. Members noted that "none of them have been very good solutions" yet, indicating this is still an evolving space with limitations.
What generative AI tools should we use to create product images and marketing visuals for our brand?
Members have experimented with several AI image generation tools for product photography and brand visuals, with mixed results. The technology is improving but has specific strengths and limitations. **Tools members have tried:** - **Adobe Photoshop generative AI** — described as producing mediocre results, particularly for beginners - **ChatGPT 4o (paid Pro version)** — significantly better quality than the free version; useful for idea generation and animation-style images - **ChatGPT standard version** — lower image quality, less suitable for serious marketing use **How members are using AI images in practice:** Members recommend using AI primarily as an ideation tool rather than final output. The typical workflow is: use AI to externalize rough concepts and ideas that are difficult to sketch yourself, then provide these AI outputs to a professional designer as a visual brief to develop further. This approach bridges the gap between creative vision and professional execution. **Key limitations to be aware of:** - AI-generated images are "generally rubbish when it comes to text" — avoid relying on AI if your product shot needs readable typography or labels - Results require substantial iterative feedback to refine - Quality varies significantly between tools and subscription tiers For finished product photography and marketing visuals, members suggest treating AI as a brainstorming partner rather than a replacement for professional photography or design.
What are cost-effective options for creating bottle shot images for e-commerce listings—should we use photography or rendered images?
Both photography and rendered images are viable, with rendered images offering significant long-term cost savings. **Rendered bottle shots** are recommended as best value: they cost approximately £0.00 to regenerate for label changes or new SKUs, making them ideal if you're planning product variations. If you need physical photography, **Charlie Burgio** (https://www.charlieburgio.com/) is the community's go-to specialist—he works to a high standard at reasonable prices and handles technical challenges like glass reflections well. Consider your workflow: if this is a one-off static product, photography may suffice; if you're planning multiple SKUs or label iterations, rendered images pay for themselves quickly through reusability. Members note that rendered options work particularly well when you need to combine elements from existing bottles using high-res images.