Founded in January 2023 with a vision to support and nurture the local fashion industry, Photolab Indumental forms an innovative hub in the heart of Yucatan, Mexico. We talked to Studio Manager Alejandra Morales, who shares insights into the concept behind Photolab, the studio's journey, and the pivotal role that Profoto systems play in their content creation endeavors.
Supporting young designers in a haven of creativity
Photolab emerged as part of Canaive Yucatan, the National Chamber of the Garment Industry, providing affordable content creation services for young designers and beyond. Alejandra explains how Indumental, as an innovation center, offers various services like textile printing and trend forecasting, creating a space for young designers to kickstart their brands and careers. “We believe in investing in the future of young entrepreneurs and showing the quality of their products,” says Alejandra.
Located in a warehouse in Yucatan, Photolab caters to a diverse clientele within various industries – from students and emerging designers to traditional Yucatecan artisans and non-fashion customers. Photolab ensures quality content creation to help local talent sell their products nationally and worldwide.
Yucatan's growing fashion scene is discovering Profoto
“Yucatan is growing significantly in the fashion industry,” states Alejandra. Photolab's introduction to Profoto systems occurred through a collaboration with a prominent Yucatan brand selling traditional clothing nationally.
Previously collaborating with a content creation studio in Mexico City, the brands learned about Profoto systems and brought this technology back to Yucatan, contributing to the region's blossoming fashion industry.
Investing in Profoto means fast high-quality content creation
Choosing Profoto was a strategic decision for Photolab. Alejandra highlights the consistent lighting, efficiency, and fast content creation capabilities of Profoto systems, enabling the team to offer a 24-hour service without editing. “Sometimes clients need content for an event the next day, which is no problem for us.” Thanks to the quality and reliability of Profoto, Photolab can satisfy their customers' needs.
“The systems help our customers sell more and grow their businesses. Many had trouble selling online because platforms like Amazon kept rejecting their photos.” The team around Alejandra helps customers find what they need depending on e-commerce platform requirements and product types. “Many of our non-fashion customers use Eclipse. For clothing, we like to use Horizontal. Guayaberas are traditional Yucatan shirts that feature beautiful embroidery and bright colors. With our systems, we can show the impressive details of these traditional pieces.”
Content creation based on creativity and minimal editing
The Photolab team primarily employs automated Profoto systems for their shoots, aiming for great content with minimal editing. “Many customers want to receive the pictures unedited because they come out so nicely already. Only minimal editing is needed, like removing the mannequins.”
“We capture very different products in Yucatan than in Europe. For that, creativity plays a very big role in our content creation,” explains Alejandra. The team's diverse perspectives contribute to creative outcomes, and Profoto systems enhance efficiency, providing more time for creative exploration. “The gear is easy to use and creates efficiency, so our team can spend more time on being creative.”
Saving time and resources with integrated hardware and software
“Our team's photography experience varied, but they quickly grasped how to use the Profoto systems,” Alejandra explains. “A keen eye for detail and creativity are what matters when it comes to producing exceptional visuals with the systems.” The seamless integration of hardware and software proved to be a game-changer for Photolab. “The integrated software is amazing because iOS is familiar, intuitive, and easy to use, enabling even our interns to start generating content without the need for extensive training.” Profoto’s systems streamlined the studio's setup process and optimized its content creation workflow. “Even if clients arrive unexpectedly or bring more items than anticipated, we’re always prepared, can move quickly, and stay flexible.”
Evolving with Profoto
While the current focus is on e-commerce content creation, Photolab aspires to expand into other areas, exploring editorial content and embracing projects that add a unique touch to its portfolio. Photolab Indumental's journey continues with the seamless integration of Profoto systems into their creative process, unlocking new possibilities and elevating the standard of content creation in Yucatan's vibrant fashion landscape.
