PackshotCreator is not a photo service provider
We get this question all the time: can you photograph our products? The answer is no. PackshotCreator does not offer photo services. We sell Orbitvu automated photo studio systems and train your teams to use them.
This confusion is telling. It shows that many businesses have not yet realised there is an alternative between "outsource everything" and "hire a photographer". This article helps you compare both approaches with concrete figures.
Spoiler: both options have their place. But beyond a certain volume, one becomes clearly more advantageous.
When outsourcing makes sense
Outsourcing product photography remains a perfectly valid option in several situations. If your catalogue does not exceed 500 photos per year, if you have no immediate investment budget, if your need is occasional or seasonal, or if you simply lack the space for a studio, a service provider is the pragmatic solution.
A competent provider delivers professional visuals without requiring you to master anything. You send your products, you get back images that meet your specifications.
In terms of pricing, expect between 19 and 50 euros (excl. VAT) per standard packshot in France. Packages are available: around 149 euros for 10 photos (including one hour of shooting, one hour of preparation, and two hours of retouching). For large volumes over 100 photos, some providers go as low as 5 euros per photo.
Indicative pricing
- EUR 19-50 excl. VAT / photo
- EUR 149 excl. VAT / 10 photos
- From EUR 5 excl. VAT / photo (> 100 photos)
When bringing it in-house becomes obvious
The tipping point generally sits around 500 photos per year. Beyond that threshold, the cumulative cost of outsourcing starts to exceed the total cost of ownership of an automated studio.
But volume is not the only criterion. Bringing photography in-house becomes a natural choice when:
- Your time-to-market is critical and every day of delay costs you sales
- You need absolute visual consistency across all your products
- Product photography is a strategic skill you want to build internally
- Your volume is growing and outsourcing costs are rising proportionally
The rule is simple: when the annual cost of your service provider exceeds the total cost of ownership of a studio (purchase amortised over 5 years + consumables + operator time), it is time to switch.
Cost comparison: three real-world scenarios
Annual comparison between outsourced photography and an automated Orbitvu studio, across three volume profiles.
| Scenario | Photos/year | Outsourcing cost | Studio cost (amortised) | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SME e-commerce | 1,000 | EUR 19,000 - 50,000 | ~EUR 3,000/year | EUR 16,000 - 47,000 |
| Mid-size multi-catalogue | 5,000 | EUR 75,000 - 250,000 | ~EUR 5,000/year | EUR 70,000 - 245,000 |
| Large retailer | 15,000 | EUR 225,000+ | ~EUR 10,000/year | EUR 215,000+ |
Studio costs: machine amortised over 5 years + consumables + valued operator time. Outsourcing costs: EUR 15-50/photo range depending on complexity.
The pitfalls of outsourcing
Outsourcing is not without risks, and those risks grow with volume.
Lead times
Count on an average of three weeks between sending your products and receiving the visuals. For a product launch, that is an eternity.
Visual inconsistency
From one shoot to the next, conditions change. Different lighting, different photographer, different retouching. Your catalogue loses its coherence.
Dependency
The expertise stays with the provider, not with you. If they raise prices, change methods, or close shop, you are back to square one.
Costs proportional to volume
The more you grow, the more you pay. Outsourcing is a variable cost that offers no economies of scale on the client side.
What you gain by bringing it in-house
An automated Orbitvu studio does not require a professional photographer. After one hour of training, any team member can produce calibrated, repeatable packshots.
Total control
Lighting, angle, background, framing: you define your standards once, and the system reproduces them identically.
Speed
3 seconds per packshot. Up to 300 photos per day per operator, compared with 30 using a traditional photographer.
Consistent quality
Settings are saved in templates. The 10,000th packshot is identical to the first.
Independence
The expertise stays within your company. You no longer depend on anyone.
Instant scaling
New catalogue, seasonal collection, client emergency: you produce when you need to, not when the provider is available.
Rich content
Beyond simple packshots, an Orbitvu studio produces 360-degree views, videos, and AI-ready content (BlendAI).
Frequently asked questions
Is PackshotCreator a photo service provider?
Do I need a photographer to use an Orbitvu studio?
Can I combine outsourcing and an in-house studio?
How much space do I need for a studio?
How do I convince my management to invest in a studio?
Ready to compare the numbers?
Use our ROI calculator to simulate your annual savings, or contact our team for a personalised demonstration.