Crave-worthy visuals for 'bitterballen' and Dutch cheese

Crave-worthy
  
visuals for
 
'bitterballen'
​ 
and Dutch cheese

For an online campaign promoting the Old Amsterdam bitterballen by Kwekkeboom, a creative agency asked me to create a hero image and a short video commercial. The goal was to increase brand recognition and boost sales through a digital campaign. I handled the entire process from concept and styling to photography, retouching and final editing.

I developed a concept that centers around the Dutch “borrelmoment”, inspired by the warm and cozy atmosphere both brands represent. The visual language aligns with the packaging design and strengthens the brand identity of both Kwekkeboom and Old Amsterdam, using golden hues, dark wood and warm bokeh lighting in the background. The setting leaves room for interpretation but reflects the ambiance of Amsterdam-style hospitality, warmth and quality, as consistently conveyed in the brands’ visual storytelling.
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The photography involved a carefully constructed lighting setup. A large softbox was enhanced with an extra diffusion layer using a Lee filter of about two by two meters to create soft, even light. A harder light source was added to generate raking light that highlights the crispy texture of the bitterballen. A fill light subtly illuminated the shadow areas on the serving board. This lighting approach was based on the product packaging, which I studied in advance to ensure consistency in visual tone. Elements such as the bitterballen, cheese cubes and packaging were individually lit and photographed. In post-production, these components were composited into one cohesive image.

The colors were carefully matched, as shown in the color palette below. The background features warm bokeh lighting that complements the silhouette and mood of the Old Amsterdam brand mark, as also seen on the packaging. The post-production process focused not only on compositing but also on achieving a balanced result in terms of color, sharpness and atmosphere, with close attention to detail in presentation and consistency with the brand story.

The video consists of three shots: bitterballen falling against a blurred background, a close-up of a single falling bitterbal and a wide shot in which a hand picks one up. This final scene adds a subtle human touch to the visual narrative. All shots were visually and conceptually aligned with the hero image to form a unified whole.
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This project illustrates how visual direction, technical execution and brand strategy can come together in a strong visual outcome. The production was carried out for an agency responsible for the broader campaign line. A testimonial from the client is also available on this page.


- Thijs Goedegebuure

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High-end photography. Cinematic commercials.
Attract attention. Build desire. Increase sales.

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HIGH-END PHOTOGRAPHY

CINEMATIC COMMERCIALS

Attract attention.

Build desire.

Increase sales.

Curious?​
​Get in touch.

Contact