What is the return on investment with an in-house photo studio?
The internalization of photographic production represents a major strategic lever for businesses looking to optimize their creative processes and strengthen their competitiveness. With the evolution of automation technologies, investing in an internal photo studio is no longer limited to the simple acquisition of equipment: it is a transformative approach aimed at revolutionizing the value chain for product visuals.
The In-House Photo Studio: Pivot of a Global Economic Strategy
Whether it is used for an e-commerce platform (furniture photography, internal photography for the food industry, photos of parapharmacy articles...), the creation of a stock of digital images intended for archiving or even for Quality Control, the in-house photo studio meets a decisive criterion: the global economic strategy.
This approach is accompanied by economies of scale in many areas, which are not always thought of at first glance, such as the time it takes to bring a product to the market or the responsiveness to the arrival of new references.
Logistics Optimization and Reduction of Intermediaries
Les automated photo solutions eliminate time-consuming back and forth with external service providers. In the sectors of furnishings And of the fast fashion, the responsiveness to the arrival of new collections is increased tenfold, allowing up to 50% faster marketing.
Concretely, an in-house photo studio avoids:
- The delivery of products between several sites
- Dependence on external suppliers
- Hidden transport costs, which are particularly significant for bulky or fragile items
Economies of Scale: Increasing Profitability with Volume
As in any industry, the increase in production must go hand in hand with a reduction in final costs “per piece”. The use of an automated shooting solution answers this problem: The more you shoot, the more the cost per photo falls.
The average cost per packshot increases from €3.4 (traditional studio) at €0.48 (automated studio), or a 86% reduction. This dynamic is reinforced by the ability to simultaneously generate several formats (web, print, 360°) without marginal additional costs.
Operational Gains: Time, Flexibility and Quality Control
Industrialization of Shooting Processes
An in-house photo studio is a professional solution for the rapid creation of product visuals. The benefits of industrialization include:
- Real-time preview via the control screen, eliminating trial and error
- Adaptive lighting guaranteeing light homogeneity
- Light control for an impeccable result
Orbitvu Station software features also include:
- Automated retouching, renaming, and editing : simplifies post-processing by automating repetitive tasks.
- Full studio automation : integrated control of lights, cameras and turntables for captures without manual intervention.
- Batch processing : reduces post-production time by up to 70% by applying simultaneous changes to multiple files.
- Interactive content creation: easily generate 360° animations, product videos, and interactive presentations.
- Integration with third party platforms : compatibility with PIM systems, DAM systems and e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento and PrestaShop.
- Real-time preview : instant display on a control screen for precise adjustments
By combining these functionalities, Orbitvu Station is positioned as an essential tool for businesses that want to improve the quality and efficiency of their visual production.
Reducing “Human Time” and Refocusing on Key Competencies
A controlled and software-assisted shooting solution makes it easy to upload a photograph online, taking into account the creative steps that take place after the shutter is released.
For example, the software supplied with the machines allows you to:
- Generate QR codes in a few clicks
- Diverting intuitively A photographed object
- Centralize a set of tasks that usually require several services
These automations allow teams to focus on strategic missions such as analysing visual performance or optimizing cross-channel campaigns.
Responsiveness and Optimization of Decisions
Internalization goes hand in hand withspeeding up decision-making processes. The time saved between the moment the decision is taken and the posting of a visual online is drastically reduced.
With an in-house studio, the time between the launch decision and the publication of the visuals increases from several days to a few hours. This agility is crucial for:
- Grasp the flash promotional opportunities (sales, limited launches)
- Responding to emerging trends on social networks
- Apprehend pivotal periods such as sales with serenity
- Get ahead of the competition
Comparative Analysis: Traditional Studio vs Automated Studio
Traditional 360° Photo Studio Costs
Camera equipment:
- Lights, backgrounds, pendants, tripods, supports, supports, turntable, camera and lens, computer, etc.
- Cost: €8,000 to €15,000 (around €190/month over 5 years)
Software:
Lightroom/ Photoshop + 360° creation software
Cost: €120/month
Workforce:
Experienced photographer: €2,800/month
Part-time assistant/retoucher: €1,200/month
Total workforce: 4.000 €/month
Studio space:
Area required: 25m²
Cost: €750/month
Monthly total: €5.060
PProduction: 1,500 packshots + 300 360° animations per month
Cost per packshot: €3.4 Cost per 360° animation: €16.9
Costs of an Automated 360° Photo Studio
Camera equipment:
Automated photo studio, camera and lens, computer
Cost: €12,000 to €30,000 (around €350/month over 5 years)
Software:
Included in the price of the photo studio
Maintenance and updates: €50/month
Workforce:
Qualified operator (not photographer)
Cost: €2.300/month
Studio space:
Area required: 4-6m²
Cost: €150/month
Monthly total: 2.850€
PProduction: 6,000 packshots + 800 360° animations per month
Cost per packshot: €0.48
Cost per 360° animation: €3.6
AI Integration: Future-Proofing Visual Production
Recent advances in artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the photo ecosystem:
- Automatic correction imperfections (reflections, dust) via neural networks
- Generation of stylistic variants aligned with brand DNA, A/B tested in real time
- SEO optimization metadata and legends using natural language processing
However, AI does not replace human expertise: it amplifies the creativity of teams by managing repetitive tasks.
Conclusion: An Investment with a Multidimensional ROI
Logistical gains, economies of scale, time savings, responsiveness and optimization are essential factors to take into account when calculating your Return on Investment (ROI).
The internalization of photographic production offers a triple return on investment:
- Financial : Depreciation in 12-18 months thanks to recurring savings
- Operational : 40% gain in overall time on the visual channel
- Strategic : Differentiation through innovation and increased responsiveness
Other more qualitative factors must also be integrated to measure the impact of the investment:
- Controlling your agenda
- Independence from external service providers
- The possibility of determining your own quality criteria
Pioneering businesses are already seeing an increase of 15 to 30% of their e-commerce conversion rate after internalization.
Our Solutions by Business Sector
All packshot photography solutions related to your sector of activity and your products:
- Packshot for the jewelery, watchmaking, jewelry and goldsmithing
- Packshot for high-tech objects, household appliances and computers
- Packshot for the leathercraft And luggage
- Packshot for wines & spirits
- Packshot for the shoe
- Packshot for technical parts
- Packshot for theoptics And eyewear
- Packshot for pharmacy products and parapharmacy
- Packshot for the modus (luxury, ready-to-wear, accessories...)
- Packshot for art objects and antiquities
- Packshot for beauty products : cosmetics and perfumery
- Packshot for the furnishings and the decoration
- Packshot for the sport and sports equipment
- Packshot for tableware and the agri-food industry
