Big Results, Tiny Spaces: Lighting That Works When the Room Doesn’t

Shot on location at Fifth Harvest for Canna ANZ, this was a fast-paced product photography and content photographybrief with a clear goal—create a versatile set of images for social and marketing, all within a tight timeframe.

The challenge? We were working inside a cool room about the size of a shipping container. Not exactly built for a commercial photographer. Limited space, mixed lighting, and reflective surfaces meant every decision had to be deliberate. Instead of overpowering the existing light, I used it as a base and built the lighting around it.

Portable flash units were brought in to add direction and consistency. Strip softboxes kept the light controlled and contained—important in such a tight environment—while grids helped focus the beam and avoid unwanted spill. A subtle use of gels balanced out the ambient colour, reducing the need for heavy post-production and keeping the workflow efficient.

With minimal room to reposition lights, reflectors became essential. Small adjustments in bounce and fill made a big difference, helping shape contrast and add depth without overcomplicating the setup.

This is a good example of how product photography and content photography don’t always happen in ideal conditions—but with the right technical approach, you can still produce clean, consistent results that are ready for immediate use across digital platforms.

If you’re looking for a commercial photographer who can handle challenging environments and deliver high-quality product photography and content photography, get in touch—happy to help bring your next project to life.

• Client: Canna (ANZ)

• Location: 5th Harvest, Coburg Nth

• Camera: Canon R5 /24-70

• Lighting: Profoto 7B & Godox AD200