HATCLUB / Lost Plugg Pack — Photo Manipulation & Compositing Project
Photo Manipulation | Photo Composite | Product Photography | Photoshop Retouching
Once again, I had the opportunity to collaborate with HatClub on the release of a very special, exclusive hat collection — the Lost Plugg Pack. This drop was available only at a single Arizona store, and each hat had a unique story behind its design. I was hired to create high-end photo composites that visually communicated the inspiration behind each piece through photo manipulation, product photography, and Photoshop compositing techniques.
As a photo compositor, these kinds of creative challenges are exactly what I love — unique visual storytelling through image manipulation and composite photography.
Unlike previous thematic packs like the Glacier Pack or The Great Outdoors, this collection wasn’t tied to a single concept. Every hat had its own distinct theme and called for a custom photo manipulation approach.
Below, I’ve broken down each composite and how I used Adobe Photoshop®, stock photography, and other tools to bring the vision to life.
MISTY’S GYARADOS
Pokémon-Inspired Photo Composite
Keywords: photo manipulation, Photoshop composite, image manipulation, photo compositor, stock photography
Inspired by the Pokémon Gyarados, this photo composite captures the power and energy of the character through a dramatic sea storm, lightning, and ocean elements that surround the hat. I used Adobe Photoshop®, stock images from Adobe Stock®, and 3D rendering via Adobe Substance 3D® to create the final image.
MONEY MIKE
Product Photography with Attitude
Keywords: product photography, Photoshop manipulation, photo composite, manipulation, photo compositor
This hat channels the swagger of Money Mike, Katt Williams’ iconic character from the movie Friday After Next. Using stock photography, AI-generated assets, subtle tilts in product photography, and red sunglasses, I gave the hat the attitude it deserved. The photo composite recreates a stylized version of the film's set.
RED LEATHER / FUTURE
Hip-Hop Inspired Image Manipulation
Keywords: image manipulation, photo compositor, photo manipulation, Photoshop, product photography
Inspired by rapper Future and Atlanta's hip-hop scene, this composite places the hat in a music video style of a scene featuring Atlanta’s skyline at night, a Bentley, some dancers, and luxury elements. The hat is the protagonist and the rapper in this music video. I photographed some props (gold chains, diamond pendants) and integrated them with photo compositing techniques in Adobe Photoshop ®.
THE DOVE
Iconic Sports Moment in Photo Composite Form
Keywords: photo manipulation, image compositing, Photoshop, photography
This hat design references the legendary 2001 MLB moment when Randy Johnson's pitch hit a dove mid-flight. The composite captures the “second before impact”, using stock photography and custom Photoshop editing. There was also an alternate version featuring the burst of feathers, but this final take felt more visually striking and original.
CREASY BEAR / MAN ON FIRE
Movie Poster-Inspired Photo Manipulation
Keywords: manipulation, photo compositor, Photoshop retouching, image manipulation
A tribute to Denzel Washington’s Man On Fire, this composite uses the hat's colorway to emulate the film’s poster. The layout, typography (Adobe Fonts®), and fire/smoke particles helped recreate the iconic vibe. The goal was to honor the original design while telling a new visual story.
BET ON BLACK
Casino-Themed Product Composite
Keywords: product photography, photo composite, image manipulation, Photoshop, photo compositor
This photo manipulation focuses on the side patch designed like a poker chip, set inside a Las Vegas casino scene. The background was sourced from Unsplash and modified with Photoshop’s Generative Fill. Additional elements like chips and tables were composited in to complete the visual story.
SUMMARY
This was a very fun retouching and photo compositing project for me to execute. Each hat had its own personality and story so it was nice to be able to help my friends at HatClub with one of their more exciting releases of the year. Here is a video they shared with me of the images being shared both on social media and at the physical store in Arizona where the drop was taking place.
I love to see my work out in the world helping my clients tell the stories of their products. I am happy when they are successful because that makes me successful along with them.
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