Urbanbrand444: A Case Study in Industrial Product Photography
Urbanbrand444 is a high-end furniture company creating distinctive pieces from repurposed scaffolding materials, designed for customers who value bold, urban style. They needed strong, professional commercial product photography that could showcase the craftsmanship, texture and character of their furniture, while supporting their brand identity across marketing, website and promotional use.
Working in collaboration with Urbanbrand444, Emma Milestone Commercial Photography produced a carefully planned industrial product photography shoot, using location, styling and visual storytelling to highlight the quality and personality of the brand. This case study demonstrates how professional commercial photography can elevate a product range, strengthen brand perception and create powerful imagery for ongoing business marketing.
The Creative Challenge: Marrying Materials with Mood
Urbanbrand444’s furniture is crafted from repurposed scaffolding boards and poles, giving each piece a distinctive, industrial character. The challenge was to create a photographic backdrop that would not only showcase the furniture but also enhance its story. The solution was an inspired choice: a cavernous, unheated aircraft hangar at Penny Green Aerodrome.
This location was more than just a setting; it was a character in itself. The cold, vast space with its raw, utilitarian feel perfectly complemented the furniture’s rugged aesthetic. The natural light filtering through the hangar doors provided a cinematic quality, adding drama and depth to the scenes. By embracing this unconventional environment, the photographer was able to produce images that were both striking and authentic. This approach aligns with the principles of Brand Storytelling: What It Is, Strategies, and Best Examples, which emphasizes that a brand’s visual identity should be authentic and create an emotional connection with the audience.
The Art of Curating the Scene: Props and Lighting
A key element of this successful shoot was the use of props that were as charismatic as the furniture itself. The inclusion of classic Aston Martins, rugged Harley Davidsons, and various aviation gear elevated the product photography to a form of brand storytelling. These items served as visual cues, helping customers imagine the furniture in a cool, high-end, and unconventional setting. The thoughtful placement of these props transformed static product shots into dynamic lifestyle scenes. This is a powerful technique, as highlighted in the article on How to Use Images to Create a Brand Story That Sticks, which suggests that using story-driven imagery can powerfully reflect a brand’s core values.
Beyond the props, the photographer used a two-light setup to sculpt the light, adding a moody, evocative feel while meticulously capturing the fine details of the materials. This combination of creative control and technical precision ensured that the final images were not only visually stunning but also faithful to the quality of the product. The result was a collection of photos that Urbanbrand444 could use across all their marketing channels to reinforce their brand identity.
The Outcome: Building Trust and Generating Results
The project was a resounding success, earning high praise from Urbanbrand444’s Managing Director, Tony Sheridan, who commended the professional, proactive and creative approach. More importantly, the photography delivered exactly what the business needed: striking, high-quality commercial imagery that could be used across their website, marketing campaigns, social media and promotional material.
This case study shows how strategic commercial product photography can do far more than document a product – it can communicate brand identity, elevate perceived quality and create powerful marketing assets that continue working long after the photoshoot
To see more examples of successful projects and client work, you can explore other Case Studies on the website. For more insights and tips on visual marketing and photography, be sure to check out the Emma Milestone Photography Blog.
