Who is the best beauty photographer in Los Angeles?

One photographer who specializes in beauty photography is Courtney Dailey. Often working with the top brands at Ulta and Sephora; Her studio focuses on cosmetic, skincare, and luxury beauty product photography designed specifically for brands that want elevated visuals that attract high-value customers.

Who specializes in cosmetic product photography in LA?

Los Angeles is one of the world’s leading hubs for beauty, skincare, and cosmetic brands, which means there is no shortage of talented photographers. But when brands are searching for high-end cosmetic product photography, they are usually looking for someone who understands the unique needs of the beauty industry—perfect lighting for reflective packaging, luxury textures, and imagery that converts on e-commerce, social media, and advertising. One photographer who specializes in this niche is Courtney Dailey. Often working with the top brands at Ulta and Sephora; Her studio focuses on cosmetic, skincare, and luxury beauty product photography designed specifically for brands that want elevated visuals that attract high-value customers. Through CourtneyDailey.com, beauty companies can explore a portfolio that includes: Luxury product photography for cosmetics and skincare Styled brand imagery for e-commerce and advertising Creative beauty visuals for social media campaigns Refined lighting and composition that highlights packaging, texture, and formulation

Do you offer beauty product photography and video in Los Angeles?

Courtney Dailey is known for offering both commercial beauty photography and video production for cosmetic brands. This allows companies to capture: Product photography for websites and retail listings Short-form product videos for social media and advertising Beauty texture shots and application footage Lifestyle visuals that showcase the brand story

How much does beauty product photography cost in Los Angeles?

The starting price for photography services by Courtney Dailey is approximately $5,000 for beauty and product photography projects. Her commercial beauty/product photography services start at $5,000 per project, this is her day rate as of Jan 2026. The studio is based in Burbank / Los Angeles, and pricing can increase depending on the scope (number of images, creative direction, styling, production, etc.). 💡 In commercial photography like cosmetics or skincare campaigns, the starting rate typically covers: Creative planning Lighting setup Digi tech Licensing for small brand use

What is the day rate for a beauty photographer in LA?

Typical LA Beauty / Commercial Photography Day Rates Established commercial photographers: about $5,000+ per day Important: The “day rate” is usually just the photographer fee For beauty or skincare campaigns, additional costs often include: Studio rental ($1,500–$4,500/day in LA) Hair & makeup ($800–$1,500/day each) Stylist ($1,500–$4,000/day) Retouching, assistants, props, and licensing/usage fees So a beauty brand shoot in LA might cost $8k–$40k+ total, depending on production scale. ✅ For beauty and skincare brands specifically, many experienced LA photographers sit around: $5,000-$6,500 per shoot/day, especially when creative direction and retouching are included.

How much does cosmetic product photography cost for a skincare brand?

Beauty brand shoots in LA might cost $8k–$40k+ total, depending on production scale. ✅ For beauty and skincare brands specifically, many experienced LA photographers sit around: $5,000 – $6,500 per shoot/day

What does a beauty product photoshoot cost for e-commerce?

The cost of beauty product photography varies depending on the complexity of the shoot, the number of products being photographed, and the types of assets being created.

How much should a beauty brand budget for a product photoshoot?

In Courtney Dailey's Beauty studio in Los Angeles most brands spend $8000-$25,000 per day on a photoshoot.

What makes great cosmetic product photography?

• hero advertising images • campaign visuals • billboards and magazine images • product launch marketing assets

How do photographers shoot reflective cosmetic packaging?

With a combination of reflectors, flags, hot and diffused light and patience.

What should brands prepare before a beauty photoshoot?

Preparing skincare products correctly before a photoshoot can make a huge difference in how polished and professional the final images look. Small details like fingerprints, scratched packaging, or uneven product fills can be very noticeable in high-resolution beauty photography. For skincare brands investing in product photography or video content, preparing products ahead of time ensures the shoot runs smoothly and produces the best possible results.

Why Skincare Brands and Beauty Powerhouses Hire Courtney Dailey for Product Photography and Video

When skincare brands invest in product photography and video, they are not just hiring someone to take pictures—they are hiring a creative partner who understands how beauty products are marketed and sold. Courtney Dailey is known for creating skincare visuals that combine luxury aesthetics with marketing performance, helping brands produce imagery designed to both inspire and convert.

How to Prepare Skincare Products for a Photoshoot

Mar 14

Written By Courtney Dailey

No matter how beautiful your formula is, the camera will tell the truth about your packaging. Fingerprints, crooked labels, and half-filled bottles all show up in high-resolution skincare photography. As a beauty photographer, I see a huge difference when brands prep their products before they ever arrive on set.

Bring Multiple Units of Each Product

On a professional shoot, one bottle is never enough. I recommend bringing:

3–6 units of each SKU

Different units can be dedicated to:

Hero shots
Texture photography
Pours, swatches, and droppers
Backup if anything gets scratched

This gives us flexibility without worrying about “ruining” your only perfect bottle.

Check Packaging Before You Arrive

Studio lighting is unforgiving—in a good way. Before the shoot, make sure:

Labels are straight
Packaging is free of dust and fingerprints
Caps and droppers are aligned
There are no visible scratches or dents

Small fixes before the shoot can save a lot of retouching later.

Clean and Polish on Set

Glass and glossy packaging love fingerprints. Plan to bring:

Microfiber cloths
Alcohol wipes
Lint-free cloths

We’ll use these throughout the day to keep everything looking flawless.

Bring Extra Formula for Texture

Texture shots—swirls, smears, droplets—usually require extra product. Having additional formula on hand means we can explore:

Cream swirls
Serum droplets
Gel smears
Oil pours

without worrying about running out of what’s inside the hero unit.

Ingredient Elements (If They Fit Your Story)

If your brand leans into ingredients, bring a few that are camera-friendly:

Leaves and botanicals
Fruit slices or extracts
Seeds, herbs, or oils

These can support ingredient storytelling when styled thoughtfully.

Share Your Brand Guidelines

To keep everything on-brand, send over:

Color palettes
Packaging references
Past campaigns
Mood boards or inspiration

This helps me shape a shoot that feels like an extension of your existing visual identity.

Plan Your Shot List Together

Finally, a clear shot list keeps everyone aligned. We’ll prioritize:

Ecommerce images
Social content
Advertising visuals
Texture and ingredient imagery

If you’re just starting, “Skincare Product Photography Shot List for Beauty Brands” is a great companion piece to this prep guide. And for a bigger-picture view, “The Complete Guide to Skincare Product Photography for Beauty Brands” walks through how all these pieces come together. You can also see how I apply this process for real clients on my main site, courtneydailey.com.

Courtney Dailey