When you look at a photo like this Crown Royal splash shot, you see the final result: a crisp, vibrant image with liquid mid-air, perfectly lit and full of energy.

But here’s what you don’t see…

Before the Shoot: Planning the Vision

Long before the camera was even picked up, this shoot started with an idea.

• I created an inspiration board to lock in the look and feel.

• Then came brainstorming the shot list — what angles, what action, what vibe are we going for?

• I headed out to buy paper rolls (that bold yellow didn’t just appear).

• And I spent time sourcing props and the perfect product, making sure every element supported the story.

Day of the Shoot: Garage Studio Magic

Spoiler alert: This entire image was shot in my garage. Not exactly a high-end studio, but with a little creativity, it transformed beautifully.

• I put up the yellow paper roll as a backdrop.

• The work table got a full tarp wrap — splash shots can get messy!

• Lighting was a major focus. Multiple lights, carefully positioned to avoid glare on the can or the glass.

• I used reflectors and flags to fine-tune the light, making sure every highlight and shadow was exactly where I wanted it.

• I chose the glassware intentionally and stacked it on blocks to get the perfect angle.

• Then came lots and lots of test shots.

The star of the show — the splash — took patience and repetition:

• We poured the product multiple times to get that thick, satisfying stream.

• We attempted the splash again and again to capture just the right moment.

And yes, quality control testing of the product may have happened after we nailed the shot. 😉

Post Production: Bringing It All Together

Once we had the images, the magic continued in post:

• First, I culled the best shots from the batch.

• Then I color graded everything in CaptureOne for consistency and pop.

• Next came Photoshop: stitching together splashes, pours, the can, the glass — it’s a blend of many photos into one final composition.

• And finally, the photos were exported and uploaded for delivery.

So tell me… Is the process behind the scenes what you thought it’d be?

Thank you, Meet Cute Social & Hailey Smith for helping me create on this project!