Case Study: Notpla

Brief.

Notpla, winners of the Earthshot Prize are a packaging innovator on a mission to replace single-use plastics with seaweed, and plant-based alternatives.

With a growing range of sustainable, plastic-free food containers designed for everything from hot meals to grab-and-go salads, the team reached out to commission a bank of commercial food photography for their B2B marketing and digital campaigns.

The goal was to showcase 10 key packaging formats in real-world use, each paired with food that felt vibrant, familiar, and tailored to their most common use cases. Additionally, 5 x group settings of different cuisines to showcase their most popular ranges.

From fast food to Farmer J–style bowls and Levantine-inspired salads, the brief focused on capturing the versatility of their products across a range of cuisines.

Approach.

The two-day food photography shoot was designed to reflect a range of use cases, from classic fast food to vibrant salads and Levantine-style dishes.

I led the art direction, set build, and styling; creating custom backgrounds and props that complemented Notpla’s materials and clean, sustainable brand aesthetic. The goal was to create a cohesive, commercial visual style that felt grounded and usable across different food sectors.

Food stylist Mandy Thompson developed and styled each dish on set, prepping and creating recipes that paired beautifully with the packaging. Together, we kept the setups clean and purposeful, letting the food and containers take the lead.

The studio lighting was soft and natural feeling, to bring out texture, tone, and the unique detail of Notpla’s plant-based materials. The final image set delivered a cohesive, versatile bank of food photography for use across digital, trade, and B2B brand campaigns.