Socks on the Rocks

Quick question: Have you ever tried to photograph socks?

We will guess the answer to that is No. And oh how we envy you.

Our creative director is a seasoned knitwear photographer. When tasked with photographing our collection of cashmere socks, she took on the project with gusto. A week later, dejected and sheepish, she nearly admitted defeat!

So what’s so difficult about photographing some socks?

Well, first there is the weather! On the days we’d set aside for photos, it was a ‘4-seasons in a day’ situation every single day. The light kept changing. Piercing sun one moment, darkness and a downpour the next. I had photographed socks before, but never an entire collection in one go. With product photography, every item needs to look similar in terms of style, background, and lighting - which means all the pairs in the collection needed to be photographed under similar conditions. The weather made this nearly impossible.

I suppose the obvious solution would have been to use a lightbox and artificial lighting. But obvious isn’t always best!

My main goal was to make the socks look characterful. And to show them in the context of our local landscape and environment.

Because of course, the very weather conditions I am complaining about, are the conditions that led to these socks being developed..

If Ireland’s weather is known for being temperamental, Inishowen’s weather is a special case entirely! The unexpected drops in temperature through the day can catch anyone off guard. And the moisture in the air makes us feel the cold more intensely, particularly in the feet. As someone who walks and cycles everywhere, I know this from firsthand experience. And in the winter months, I wear wool and cashmere blend socks exclusively. For that reason it was important, I thought, that we show the socks outdoors. I did get my ‘characterful’ photos eventually! And the effort was worth it.

Now available in the online shop, our cashmere-blend socks can be purchased as individual pairs, or in bundles of multiple pairs. Have a look!