Cheesecake Photo with Depth and Dimension
In another example of using physical layers to enhance product photography, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at one of my favorite images from a shoot for S&S Cheesecakes, based in Philadelphia and Butler, PA. (Not to be confused with a similarly named business in NYC—there’s no known affiliation.)
Among the various shots created for this campaign, this one consistently drew the most attention—and was the most enjoyable to build.
The Concept
The goal was to showcase the variety and appeal of the brand’s gourmet cheesecakes in a way that felt dimensional, inviting, and a little unexpected. To do that, I designed a multi-layered physical setup that allowed the eye to travel through different levels of cheesecake—each with a slightly different treatment or focus.
The Build
1. Base & Lighting Setup
I started by setting up two low sawhorses—just tall enough to place a bare bulb studio strobe underneath for upward illumination. The light source would need diffusion, and I didn’t want the setup to get too tall and unwieldy.
2. Plexiglass Platform
Across the sawhorses, I placed a 4ft x 4ft sheet of white plexiglass to diffuse the light. To keep it from sagging, I added 0.5” x 2” wooden strips between the sawhorses for extra support.
3. First Layer: Cheesecake Grid
On top of the plexiglass, I arranged 4 rows of 10” cheesecakes—four cakes per row. This created a full base layer of product directly above the diffused light.
4. Textural Distortion
To add visual interest and depth, I placed four 6” tall, 3” diameter cardboard tubes at each corner of the plexiglass. These supported a sheet of rippled shower door glass, which subtly distorted the layer of cheesecakes beneath it—creating a shimmering, layered look without blocking the product.
5. Elevated Premium Products
Above that, I introduced narrow, beveled glass shelves (3” x 15” x 3/16”)—the kind typically used in medicine cabinets. These were mounted from the frame at different angles and served as elevated platforms for showcasing the brand’s premium 12” cheesecakes.
To keep these cakes stable, I placed clear plastic discs underneath them. A few cakes were styled with individual slices carefully pulled slightly away from the cake and positioned in the gap to create space and add visual impact.
The Result
The final image had layers of interest: a glowing foundation, a textured mid-level distortion, and a clean, elegant top layer where the featured products were highlighted. This physical approach to building depth gave the photo a striking, multidimensional quality that drew viewers in.
The Secondary Result
My team and family ended up with well over 30 incredible gourmet cheesecakes – among the best I’ve ever tasted. Turned out, a lot of friends I didn’t previously know I had started stopping by. And, yeah, I got a little plump…
If the above drawing will help you to visualize, imagine sawhorses where the brown block is. Then imagine that the green area on top of the block is white plexiglass, and that the light to the immediate right is actually underneath the plex, shining up through it. The cakes were placed on that white plex.
Then imagine the rippled shower glass is on the cardboard tubes you see at the corners above. Finally, imagine the glass shelves placed on more tubes, and the large cheesecakes then placed on those shelves.
At Jeff Behm Photography we are always ready to work to earn your trust in creating imaginative and effective photography to enhance your product imagery, whatever it may be!
