Outward Debuts Aperture Platform at Fall High Point Market

October 19, 2021  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, High Point, Industry, Market   

Using a cloud-based web application and a cloud-connected photo booth (RIG), all developed in-house, the platform automates the product photography process for home furnishings manufacturers and retailers, allowing companies themselves to photograph their entire product line with all the creative flexibility built-in, at a fraction of the time – and cost –of a traditional photographer and studio setup. Users can immediately upload professional-quality product photos to social channels, e-commerce websites, traditional print publications and more.

Outward, Inc. invented Aperture as an industry disruptor, with a mission to redefine the traditional product photography process. “We saw an opportunity to fundamentally revamp and improve the product photography process so that everyone can produce excellent content, regardless of their budget or familiarity with conventional photography,” said Gaurav Sethi, co-founder of Outward, Inc. “From a technology perspective, this is the culmination of almost 10 years of research and development. The Aperture Platform is a convergence of multiple technology disciplines and it enables complete end-to-end functionality, from composition to lighting and shadows to finalizing an image for publishing, eliminating the need to use any other service or resource.”

The service’s slogan “Capture, Create, Conquer,” summarizes the seamless, service that it provides. The platform is intuitive and easy to use, with assembly, training and troubleshooting handled by the Outward, Inc. team at the client’s location. A photography rig is delivered to customers to be used as the photography studio. With a power outlet and Wi-Fi, the rest of the process is automated with built-in strategic lighting. After products are photographed, they are perfected with the use of artificial intelligence (AI), saved and organized in the secure cloud-based system, and able to be shared in any file size and format. The professional-grade photos can easily be saved and distributed on e-commerce websites, social media platforms, and other channels.

“The Aperture platform is meant to redefine and replace the traditional and lengthy product photography process,” said Leah Kirkland, senior director of business development at Outward, Inc. “Our technology saves companies time, money and stress that is normally associated with product photoshoots. Hundreds of photos can be produced and made public in a matter of days as opposed to weeks or even months, and we believe this is the future of the industry.”