Chiasson Hauler Grill

Some projects are just fun. This was one of them.

We recently wrapped up a full catalog and lifestyle shoot for Chiasson Smoke — a Wisconsin-based maker of outdoor cooking gear — covering everything in their Hauler Grill Ultimate Package. The package is exactly what it sounds like: the full Chiasson Smoke experience in one box. The Hauler Grill with your choice of 12-inch or full-length griddle, a heavy-duty charcoal chimney (almost as exciting as the portable grill), a stainless steel burger smasher, a ferro rod, carbon steel seasoning, their Cajun seasoning blend, koozies, a hat, and a fire starter. Rugged, well-made gear built for people who take outdoor cooking seriously.

Our job was to show all of it — cleanly, in catalog form, and then alive in the wild with real food and real people.

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Day One: Catalog Shots Before the Grill Got Dirty

We recently shot some product that we assumed would be clean, but had been used for demonstrations. The editing time to take care of all the dust and grime was extensive. This product was sent to us too shoot, so the first day was spent at home, shooting the full product line before any of it saw use. Once you light the charcoal chimney and fire up the griddle, that window closes.

We worked through each piece methodically: the Hauler Grill itself folded up for transport, the griddle attachment, the charcoal chimney, the burger smasher, the accessories. Clean backgrounds, controlled light, catalog-ready images that Chiasson can use on their main product page.

The following day was spent in Lightroom organizing and Photoshop clipping each product — isolating it from the background so Chiasson Smoke has maximum flexibility for how they use the images across their website, marketing materials, and product listings.

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The Location Scout

Before we could shoot lifestyle images, we needed the right location. Amanda and I spent a couple of hours scouting with our niece, who enjoyed the "hiking trip," looking for a setting that matched the character of the product — rugged, outdoor, genuine. Something that said "this is where this grill belongs" without feeling staged.

Then we waited. Minnesota spring being what it is, we held off until weather was right, and when a good day arrived, we were ready.

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The Lifestyle Shoot: Two People, Two Meals, No Assistant

We loaded up the car with lighting and camera gear, a cooler full of food I'd prepped at home, and the Hauler Grill setup. We probably should have brought an assistant, but we did not. Amanda and I handled everything — which in this case meant we also ended up in front of the camera.

We started with portability shots: both of us carrying the Hauler folded up, showing how compact and manageable it is in transport. Then the charcoal chimney and the grill itself before any food hit the grate.

Then we cooked.

Meal one was smash burgers on the griddle attachment with potatoes on the grill grate — which gave us an opportunity to also photograph the burger smasher in action.

Meal two was pork chops and zucchini. I'd marinated both at home and seasoned everything with Chiasson's own Cajun seasoning blend once it was on the grill. We grilled this whole meal on grill grates rather than splitting the grill between grates and the griddle. Different background and mood from the first setup.

The images turned out the way you hope lifestyle food photography turns out — the kind where you look at the frame and immediately want to eat what's in it. Luckily for us, we were able to eat it. I was worried that the food would over cook, while we were trying to nail the perfect photo, but it didn't and and I have to tell you, I make a mean pork chop and an excellent smash burger.

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What This Project Illustrates

A full product shoot like this one isn't a single afternoon. It's a catalog day, a clipping day, a scouting session, a weather hold, prep work at home, and then a full lifestyle shoot where you're simultaneously photographer, art director, food stylist, and occasionally talent.

It's also exactly the kind of work that can't be replicated with AI-generated imagery. Chiasson Smoke's gear needed to be shown working — actually cooking real food, in a real outdoor setting, with real people using it the way their customers will. That's a story that requires a real shoot.

If you have a product that deserves to be shown in action rather than on a white background, that's what we do at 24-7 Photography.

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24-7 Photography is based in Apple Valley, Minnesota, serving clients across the Twin Cities and beyond.

Visit us at 24-7photo.com | Call 952-222-7706 | info@24-7photo.com