Product Photography Tips
Expert Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Product Photography Session
1. Make sure you provide us with items that are in pristine condition. This means no fingerprints, nicks, scratches, chips or dents on labels, packaging, plastic, metal, ceramic, glass or other materials. While tiny imperfections may not be easily noticeable to the naked eye, they will absolutely be visible when your product is being photographed with professional lenses and lighting. I want to photograph the absolute best version of the item you want to sell.
2. Bring multiple versions of them items you wish to be photographed. I would rather choose the best example from 10 seemingly identical products than photograph a dented box that does not properly showcase the quality that you offer your buyers.
3. Take the time to ensure that any fabric-based item is not folded, and that it is fully pressed, ironed or steamed. You can hang items in your car or lay them on the back seat to keep things wrinkle-free.
4. Help me minimize your costs. Retouching is always possible, but there is no magic button. Retouching is very time-consuming and removing things like dents or scratches can take many hours per image. Removing wrinkles and fold lines from fabric is painstaking. It is easiest to start with the best possible version of your product to minimize the amount of time we will have to spend during post-production. This is also more cost effective for you.
5. Note that the first lighting setup for multiple views of any product takes the longest to set up. Managing the complexities associated with reflective surfaces and ensuring highlights are even can take many hours. I am an expert in lighting and own all my own equipment, so I know how things should be set up. My goal is always perfection, so the first setup will always take the longest.
6. Send examples of the environmental vibe you're going for, especially if white-background product photos aren't representative of your brand's vision. For environmental or context-based product photography, simply email me a few photos or quick phone video of the environment we will be working in or that visually represents the vibe that you are hoping to emulate. A quick visual can help us determine whether the space will work for what you have in mind. If you have a particular look in mind but don't have a space available, we can assist in identifying and renting locations for an additional producer fee.
7. Confirm that any out-of-studio environment we are shooting in is fully cleaned with no fingerprints on any metal, marble, glass or wood surface. Environments should be clean and clutter-free.
8. Feel free to provide me with a shot list and/or any guidance on setups prior to your shoot. This will help me work quickly and will also ensure that I deliver what you need. A typical shot list would include each product and how many views you want of that item. For product groupings, you might want the products to be arranged in a particular order, which can be easily shown with a quick attached phone photo. We excel at positioning products for the best possible customer viewing experience, but a detailed shot list is always helpful in keeping on track.
9. Please include a pre-paid shipping label when sending products to my studio. I will then use this label and your original packaging to ship your products back to you. If you forget to send a label, I will bill you for shipping. Shipping costs must be paid prior to shipping your products back. Alternatively, if you are local, I can send your items back to you via Uber or you can pick them up at my studio.
10. Delivery of non-watermarked files will take place electronically once full payment has been received. Watermarked preview files can be delivered along the way to ensure that my work meets your expectations.