Product compositing: a 3D sunscreen placed into an existing lifestyle photo

A self-initiated showcase study with a fictional brand: from the photo you already have to a finished campaign image

Date:

October 2026

Self-initiated study, created as a showcase example. Romera is a fictional brand, not a real company or client. The background scene was also generated for the study; the same process works on your own photography.

Goal. A brand already has a lifestyle photo it likes, but the product in it is a placeholder, an old pack or missing altogether. Reshooting means talent, location and another production day. The goal: place the new product into the existing photo so it looks like it was there on the day.

Inputs. One lifestyle photo, here a poolside scene with a placeholder bottle, and the product’s 3D model, built from its packaging measurements and label artwork.

Result. A 4K composite with the 3D product matched to the photo’s perspective, light and shadows, plus a clean plate of the original scene that is ready for the next product or the next season.

Turnaround. Typically 1–2 business days for a single image once the 3D model is ready, depending on scope.

Use. Campaign and seasonal visuals, product pages, and launches where the photo already exists but the pack has changed.

Final composite: photorealistic 3D sunscreen tube on the poolside table

The Photo

Start with what you already have.

This is the kind of image a brand sends: a good scene, with a placeholder product where the new one should be. Any lifestyle photo works, from a campaign shoot to licensed stock.

Lifestyle photo by a pool with a placeholder bottle on a wet stone table

Same poolside photo after cleanup, with the placeholder bottle removed

Clean Plate

Make room for the product.

The placeholder bottle is removed and the table rebuilt underneath it, wet stone and reflections included, so nothing of the old product shows through.

The Model

Built to real dimensions.

The sunscreen tube is modeled from its packaging measurements and seen through a camera matched to the photo’s lens and perspective, so its size and angle sit naturally on the table.

Unlit 3D mesh of a sunscreen tube placed on the cleaned photo

Clay render of the sunscreen tube matched to the photo perspective and shadow

Clay Match

Light and shadow first.

Before any material goes on, a neutral clay pass checks that the sun direction, contact shadow and scale agree with the photo. If the clay looks right, the final will too.

3D skincare product composited into a night pop-up event scene

Another Scene

Same method, at night.

Romera products placed on an illuminated display at a night pop-up activation: mixed practical light, screens and guests, handled with the same steps.