Amorepacific Labo-H Photoshoot Review
An Unfamiliar Beginning
From the very start, the project carried an unusual tone. Amorepacific’s Labo-H offered a wide range of products, and I expected the diversity to open up possibilities for rich visual storytelling. Instead, the final concept was the complete opposite of what I had envisioned. While I usually value photography’s ability to capture natural textures and organic details, this shoot was directed toward a highly polished, almost 3D-like aesthetic. Even before pressing the shutter, I wondered whether this would have been better executed through computer graphics rather than photography.
A Sense of Being Pulled Along
As the shoot unfolded, I felt myself being pulled into a current I hadn’t chosen. Hanging molecular models in midair and arranging products against sterilized, graphic-like backgrounds did not align with my preferences. The sense of dissonance followed me until the very end. Each frame carried the weight of my doubts—was this really the right way to present the brand?
Between Standards and Conviction
It is true that the director’s vision defines the framework of any project. Yet as a photographer, I also need my own conviction to align with the work. When that alignment falters, the struggle intensifies. Rarely do projects perfectly match my personal style, but I usually manage to adapt. This time, however, the disconnect was too strong, and I realized how easily flexibility can be lost when one’s foundation is shaken.
Remembering the Process
In the end, I focused on the essentials: the message and the form. By separating responsibility from personal expectation, I managed to concentrate on small goals and finish the work. It was more exhausting than anticipated, and the lingering sense of regret was undeniable. Yet, I also believe photographers carry the memory of the process more vividly than the final images. This project, despite its challenges, remains as a reminder of growth, and of the resilience required to continue creating under circumstances that diverge from one’s own vision.
