Bringing Tinner Bros Whisky to Life with Creative Studio Photography
How a real Cornish cave and fizzy drinks helped capture the bold spirit of a new whisky.
Tinner Bros is a new whisky from the makers of Tarquin’s Gin—and it breaks all the rules. Inspired by Cornwall’s rebellious spirit and rich mining heritage, it’s tinned, not bottled, and the branding leans into the rugged, unconventional side of things. The photography needed to reflect that. The brief? Make it look like the product had been discovered deep in a candle-lit cave in which the legendary Tinner brothers spent their nights distilling their bold beverage.
Crafting the Look
The first stage was to photograph the tins themselves. I shot them in the studio against a backdrop of a real Cornish cave I’d captured earlier with a lit candle. The texture and lighting of the cave gave the scene a natural, moody feel, while the studio setup allowed for precise lighting on the tins to highlight their design and shape.
It's the complete opposite of Tarquins and its other brand, Twinfin and Connieglaze, which are shot on vibrant beaches and clifftops with the bright Cornish sun blazing on the glittering ocean.
Overcoming Challenges with Creative Post-Production
One of the key challenges on this shoot was timing. As the Tinner Bros tins were still in production, I had to photograph certain drinks without the actual packaging. To work around this, I shot the drinks separately and composited them with the tins later in Photoshop. It was a meticulous process with a serious amount of post-production involved—but it meant I could maintain consistency in lighting and atmosphere across all the final images.
Adding Movement and Energy
Next came the drinks. I was keen to inject a bit of energy into some of the images—something that would contrast with the stillness of the cave setting. Using fizzy mixers like cola helped bring life to the shots. With the right lighting and a fast shutter, I was able to capture the spray and effervescence as bubbles burst from the glass. It added a dynamic layer to the final images, making the whisky feel alive and ready to enjoy.
Bringing It All Together
This project is a great example of how product photography in Cornwall can combine location-inspired storytelling with controlled studio work. For bold brands looking to stand out, I also offer creative drink photography in Cornwall that focuses on atmosphere, detail and story.
Have a new product you want to launch with impact? Let's talk.
