Dawn V Gilmore Photography

The details matter.

When photographing premium ci**rs, one of my biggest goals is making sure the craftsmanship is seen—from the texture of the wrapper to the intricate foil band that represents the brand’s identity. Every light is placed with intention to reveal those details without distracting reflections.

I also love creating imagery that reflects today’s cigar community. More women are embracing the ritual, craftsmanship, and culture surrounding premium ci**rs, and authentic brand imagery should reflect that.

If your cigar brand is looking for commercial photography that highlights the craftsmanship behind every cigar, let’s create images that tell your story.

📦 Ship your products to my studio from anywhere in the U.S.

The final image is only half the story.

Swipe to see the behind-the-scenes.

This setup is actually pretty simple:

• Warm fairy lights behind the bottle create the golden bokeh background.
• Two strip softboxes on either side sculpt the shape of the bottle and define the glass.
• A separate light is dedicated to the label so every detail stays clean, bright, and readable.
• A black acrylic surface finishes the shot with a subtle reflection.

Commercial product photography is all about building each element of the image one light at a time. Every light has a specific job, and when they all work together, you create an image that feels polished, luxurious, and intentional.

This is exactly the kind of lighting breakdown I love sharing because understanding why each light is there is just as important as knowing where to put it.

Have questions about this setup? Drop them below—I love talking shop.

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