Photorealistic image creation for THC & CBD product lines using custom AI pipelines

Cannabis brands often struggle to produce consistent, premium-quality product photography that matches the sensory experience of their strains or edibles. Hiring photographers, set designers, and editors for each product flavor is expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to scale, especially when launching new SKUs frequently across dispensaries or DTC platforms.

To solve this, I built an AI-powered product image creation pipeline specifically for cannabis and dispensary product lines.

Used Google’s Image Edit and Qwen Image Edit models for ultra-realistic, detail-preserving image editing

Created high-fidelity prompt architectures to simulate commercial-grade backdrops, objects, lighting, and color palettes

Replaced standard white-background pouch renders with cinematic environments that told a story — from neon-lit lounges to nostalgic kitchens, artfully messy diner tables, or luxury desert sunsets

Added texture-correct reflections, smoke tendrils, joint ashtrays, and realistic lighting behaviors (e.g. f/1.4 Nikon Z9 depth of field, morning sun peeking through blinds) for brand consistency and emotion

Maintained regulatory visual clarity (strain, hybrid/sativa/indica) while enhancing emotional connection and craveability of each product

Each AI image output was prompted, tested, and refined using multiple models until the final aesthetic was achieved. The process was optimized to work across:

Pouch products (flower, popcorn buds)

Edibles (gummies, infused beverages)

Strain flavor variations (e.g. Marshmallow Milk, Clementine Popcorn, Coffin Candy)

What started as generic packaging shots was transformed into scroll-stopping, mouthwatering, brand-defining imagery

E-commerce product pages

Dispensary menus (Leafly, Weedmaps)

Social ads & story content

Print flyers & in-store posters

Final visuals showcased each product in its own thematic world, drawing from flavor notes and mood effects (e.g. euphoric, calming, uplifting) — giving customers a taste of the high before they buy.

Each scene evokes the same editorial quality and sensory appeal you’d expect from Alani Nu, Liquid Death, or Glossier — but tailored for modern cannabis culture.

Reduced visual production time/cost by over 90%

Created a full branded portfolio for 10+ SKUs in less than a week

Assets are now used across web, packaging mockups, and investor decks

Helped clients elevate perception from “local dispensary” to “premium cannabis brand”

Here are a few examples of how we translated terpene notes into commercial scenes:

A soft pink chrome diner at golden hour, vanilla milk dripping beside a bowl of pastel cereal, haze of warm calm vibes

Bright citrus grove vibes, sun flare through trees, subtle hash and spice warmth in the shadows

Vaporwave rave room with reflective floors, cotton candy haze, fluorescent energy

Ceramic spa bathroom at twilight, blackberries and soft towel textures, serene mood lighting