5 things to consider when planning a product photoshoot

So you have a collection of products you want to share with the world and you need some scroll-stopping imagery to do them justice. There are a five things to consider when planning a product photoshoot:

1 – Define your brand aesthetic and image: Your brand has a unique personality and style, which should be reflected in your product photography. Before the photoshoot, it’s important to define your brand’s aesthetic and image. Consider a colour palette and a look that matches your brand. Are you colourful and fun like a Skittles advert or clean and minimal like Apple? Once you have this nailed head over to Pinterest for some inspiration. Moodboards are a great way to help you stay focus on the look you are trying to achieve through every step of the photoshoot.

2 – Determine the purpose of the photoshoot: The purpose of the photoshoot will determine the type of images you need. For example, are you looking for lifestyle shots or product-only shots? Are you planning to use the images for social media, e-commerce, or ads? Having a clear purpose will help you focus and plan effectively.

3 – Choose your photographer (and team if needed): This is critical in the success of your photoshoot. Choose a photographer whose style matches what you are trying to achieve. If you also need a stylist, model and make up artist, follow the same rule: does their own style work with your brand and what you want the images to look like? Ensure that everyone involved understands your brand’s vision and aesthetic and trust them to help you create the images you need.

4 – Plan the props and set design: The styling should complement your brand’s aesthetic and purpose. Consider the props, backdrops, and furniture needed to create the desired environment. If you are working with a stylist, they will know how to best archive the desired result. Check out my blog post on ‘props for product photography’ for inspiration.

5 – Develop a shot list and schedule: A shot list and schedule will help you stay organised and on track during the photoshoot. The shot list should include all images you want to capture during the photoshoot. If you need different angles, variations of the same product, group photos of the products, banner images, category images, white background images… add it all to the shot list. Pro tip: arrange the shots by priority to make sure the images you need the most don’t get left to the end of the shoot in case you run out of time. Ensure that everyone involved in the photoshoot has access to the shot list and understands the schedule.

Happy shooting! 🙂