Why Men’s Skincare Brands Need High-Quality Product Photography to Compete in 2025

The men’s grooming industry is projected to hit over $115 billion by 2028. That means more brands are entering the space, more products are hitting the shelves, and the competition is getting serious.

If you’re a men’s skincare or hygiene brand trying to grow online, investing in clean, high-quality product photography is one of the best ways to stand out, earn trust, and drive sales.

Let’s break down the types of photography you need, why it matters, and how to get the most out of your content.

All studio Images created by Mainstream Multi-Media

Studio vs. Lifestyle Photography: Know the Difference

Studio photography gives your brand a polished, professional look. It’s shot on solid backgrounds—usually white, black, or branded tones—with controlled lighting that highlights the product’s shape, texture, and packaging.

Studio shots are ideal for:

• Product pages

• E-commerce platforms like Amazon or Shopify

• Lineups and group shots

• Press kits

Lifestyle photography goes one step further. It shows your product in action—used by a real person, in a real setting. This builds connection.

It helps your audience imagine the product in their own routines, whether it’s a beard oil next to a razor or a face cleanser being rinsed off in the mirror.

Lifestyle shots are best for:

• Social media (Pinterest, Instagram)

• Email marketing

• Paid ads

• Brand storytelling

Smart brands use both. Studio for clarity. Lifestyle for connection. That balance is what builds a recognizable, trustworthy image online.

Why You Should Hire a Hand Model or a Full Model

Products don’t sell themselves. Even the cleanest flat lay or best lighting won’t replace the impact of showing how a product is used.

If you’re on a budget, a hand model is a great first step. A clean hand applying cream, holding a bottle, or unboxing a product adds realism and movement to your visuals—without needing a full set or location.

Here’s what happens when you hire a model:

✓Customers understand product scale and texture

✓You instantly add human connection to your brand

✓Your photos look more premium and feel intentional

This simple upgrade can be the difference between “just another product” and a brand that knows what it’s doing.

5 Ways to Repurpose Content in Men’s Care Marketing

A solid product shoot should give you far more than 10 pretty pictures. When planned right, one photoshoot can feed your marketing strategy for months.

Here’s how brands repurpose their content to get the most value:

• Crop images into square, vertical, and horizontal formats for social media and ads

• Create Pinterest pins with multiple variations from one setup

• Use lifestyle images in newsletters and paid campaigns

• Build product launch graphics, banners, or blog visuals

• Design pitch decks or wholesale line sheets using the same photos

Pro tip: Let your photographer know where you plan to use the content before the shoot. That way, they can frame, shoot, and deliver assets you can actually use across platforms.

Spice it Up With GIFs or Stop Motions (Stand Out Fast!)

Still images are powerful—but motion catches the eye even faster. If you want your brand to stop the scroll on Pinterest, boost click-through rates in emails, or add personality to your product pages, GIFs and stop motion clips are a no-brainer.

Here’s why motion content works:

• Motion increases engagement. Pinterest users are 2.6x more likely to notice moving visuals over static ones.

• It shows product use in action. Whether it’s a dollop of moisturizer falling into a hand, a pump dispensing serum, or a bottle cap twisting off, those little moments make a big impact.

• It tells a story, fast. With just a few seconds, a stop motion can walk your audience through a full experience—without needing words.

Bonus: You Can Use GIFs in Email Marketing

GIFs aren’t just for social. You can embed them directly into marketing emails to add movement without the weight of a video file. It’s a subtle way to showcase product texture, highlight a sale, or demonstrate how something works—without asking your customer to hit “play.”

In fact, email campaigns that include a GIF can increase click-through rates by up to 26%.

Want to learn more about GIFs? We broke it all down in this guide to help you understand when it makes sense to use.

A few Motion Ideas for Men’s Skincare Brands:

• A foaming cleanser bubbling in slow motion

• Texture smears animating into place

• A razor gliding across a surface

• Unboxing clips or pump-dispensing shots

• Stop motion stories showing the full grooming routine

Pro tip: Ask your photographer to shoot short sequences during your next shoot that can easily be turned into GIFs or stop motions. A little planning here gives you weeks of scroll-stopping content.

Bottom Line

Men’s skincare brands can’t rely on outdated visuals or DIY photos in 2025. Consumers are looking for brands that feel premium, polished, and personal- That starts with great photography.

Want help planning your next shoot or building a content strategy that sells? Check out our behind-the-scenes guides and pro tips made specifically for men’s grooming brands.

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