UPSTIR Blog

Studio shots vs. creator content: what performed better?

Case studies
One of the most common questions we get: “Should we shoot this in a studio or use UGC?”

The truth is, both have their place — but in this case, creator content crushed it.

Here’s what happened when a lifestyle brand tested two versions of the same ad.

The test

Product: Luxury hair oil

Audience: Women 25–40, Instagram and Facebook

Goal: Drive traffic to product page and increase conversions

Version A: Studio ad

  • Clean white backdrop
  • Product close-ups in soft light
  • Minimalist motion graphics
  • Calm music and voiceover

Version B: Creator ad

  • Creator talking directly to camera
  • Handheld application demo in natural light
  • Raw voice + captions
  • Ends with: “You need to try this — seriously”

The results

  • Engagement rate: +70% on the creator version
  • Click-through rate: 2.3x higher
  • Cost per click: 40% lower
  • ROAS: +1.8x improvement

Why the creator version won

  • It felt real and personal
  • The viewer saw themselves in the scenario
  • Trust built quickly — it felt like a recommendation, not an ad
  • Hook came faster, and CTA was more natural

What the brand learned

Polished doesn’t always mean powerful. For paid social, relatability wins. The audience didn’t want to be impressed — they wanted to believe.

Takeaway

Studio content has its place, especially for landing pages or product displays. But for scroll-stopping, trust-building performance? Creator-led ads are often your best bet.

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