What makes an efficient e-commerce studio setup in 2025?
One bay, three ways:
Comparing studio workflows that help you scale your e-commerce video and photo production
In 2025, content demands are higher than ever. From product pages and marketplaces to social campaigns and brand collaborations, e-commerce studios are expected to deliver high-quality photo and video content at scale. Fast.
But how do you stay efficient while also maintaining creative standards, brand consistency, and a happy team? The answer often starts with another question: What’s the right setup for you based on your studio needs?
Creating efficiency in one studio bay
Many studios currently working with different bays for video and still production are currently realizing the power of consolidation. Instead of splitting stills and video into separate stations, modern setups allow you to create both formats from a single bay, cutting down coordination time, setup changes, and unnecessary complexity.
This streamlined approach helps teams:
- Reduce turnaround times
- Avoid constant equipment swapping
- Keep the visual output consistent
- Save rent on costly studio space
But not every studio works the same way. That’s why it’s important to match the right setup to your production style.
3 types of studio workflows: Which one fits you?
At Profoto, we see three core workflows emerging among large studios and we’ve built dedicated solutions to support each one. Here’s a breakdown to help you compare and decide:
1. Fully automated workflow: Profoto Live
Best for: High-volume studios seeking efficiency and ease of use
Profoto Live is an all-in-one automated system designed to simplify model shoots. With integrated lighting, camera, and user-friendly software, your team can create images and videos without needing deep photography skills. Live works with high-CRI LED lights that optimally illuminate your model for smooth e-commerce content.
Benefits:
- Ultra-fast model shoot turnaround
- Consistent results across teams, categories, and seasons
- Simple operation = less training, more creating
Use Case: “Speed is our priority. We need anyone on the team to step in and produce great results.”
2. Semi-automated workflow: Profoto Elevate
Best for: Teams who want speed and creative flexibility
Profoto Elevate combines camera and lighting presets with the power of light shaping. It lets you move faster while still having control over creative variables like shadows, mood, and depth. Elevate is compatible with Profoto flash and LED, allowing you to take crisp stills and powerful motion for e-commerce and editorial.
Benefits:
- Manual shooting amplified through studio automation
- Presets ensure consistent output and fast time-to-market
- More room for creative direction and shooting true-to-brand content
Use Case: “We want to automate some parts of the shoot, but we still need room to play with lighting and style.”
Learn more about Profoto Elevate
3. Maximum creative control: Camera + flash/ LED + Light Shaping
Best for: Studios prioritizing creative control and brand expression
This is your classic photographer-led setup but powered by Profoto’s scalable ecosystem of flashes, continuous LED lighting, and light shaping tools. Ideal for elevated e-commerce, campaign shoots, and brands with a distinct visual identity.
Benefits:
- Full creative control over lighting, angles, and styling
- High-end visual output for both video and stills
- Flexibility and maximum reliability on lighting quality
Use Case: “We create custom visuals that define our brand: Quality and flexibility are everything.”
Learn more about our fully flexible setup
So, what’s the most efficient setup in 2025?
The most efficient setup isn’t the same for everyone. It’s the one that fits your team, your content goals, and your scale.
Whether you need speed, flexibility, or full creative freedom, the real game changer is this: Being able to produce photo and video in one bay, with one setup tailored to your workflow. That’s what efficiency looks like in 2025.
Do you need help choosing the right setup?
Let us help you match your workflow with the solution that fits.