FAQ - Product Photography
You’re thinking about a Product shoot, now what? In order to make the most out of your shoot and get exactly what you need, PREPARATION IS KEY! You received my CHECKLIST for planning the perfect shoot, not let’s dive a little deeper.
Here are some FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about having a Product photography shoot:
What’s your process?
Here is a quick overview of what you can expect from working with me:
Pay deposit, sign the contract and secure your date for the shoot
Fill out your personal questionnaire so I can get to know your brand fully and find out exactly what you need from me
Start your private Pinterest board. This allows me to make sure we're on the same page creatively. I can visually see what your hopes are for the imagery
I will create a mood board for you to approve before the shoot takes place. This is your chance to approve the shoot concept/direction, along with finalising further details like props and styling
After the shoot takes place, the images are edited and are uploaded to your own private gallery for viewing and downloading. You can expect the images to be ready 14 working days after the shoot
I’ve never done this before and I’m not really sure where to start! Can you help?
There are so many practical things that need to be considered for a product shoot, for example; timescales, budget, location, props, models, styling, what needs to be communicated through the images…
But the first thing I would say if you’ve never invested in professional photography before, is to really consider how you want your customers to ‘feel’ when they come into contact with you/ your brand. Your brand photography is a ‘touch point’ to your business. It’s the first experience someone has with you, before they even consider buying from you. So in order for it to draw your audience in, it has to have an emotional connection with them on some level. Start there. Consider your dream customer - dig deep into their demographics/ psychographics, and start planning, mood boarding, gathering inspiration for how you want your brand’s visual identity to look - and then build it out from there.
Is it worth investing in professional product photography? How will my business benefit?
Showing high quality photography is the only way you’re really going to stand out in a saturated market. You want to show imagery that’s going to stop people in their mindless scrolls and capture their attention. Customers can’t touch or feel your products, so beautiful photography is the only way to encourage them to shop. If you show high quality photos, it’s going to instantly elevate your product, show value and that you’re serious about what you’re doing! Good quality photography is an investment - I completely understand that, but if you aren’t willing to make that investment in your own business, why would your customers make that investment in you?
What practical things do I need to know for my shoot?
Timescales: Allow at least 6-8 weeks from initial enquiry to final delivery of images. Allow plenty of time for planning, delivery, shoot time and editing.
Budget: Think about how many images you need from your shoot - the more detailed you can be, the better. My basic packages offer 10, 20 or 30 images. You’ll need to package up and post your products to me, along with collection. If you leave this too late, you’ll likely pay a premium for delivery. Plan in advance and give yourself plenty of time for postage. Allow extra budget for props, location and models if needed.
Styling: When you know who your dream customer is, it’s easier to think about the styling and how you want your final images to look. Decide if you need lifestyle or plain (with little to no styling) imagery.
Models: Sometimes your imagery requires a heartbeat. Meaning they require use of hands or model to use or wear your product. This is something that can be arranged by you, or I can source models for you.
Do I need an additional prop budget?
Whilst I have a collection of lifestyle props, I won’t always have exactly what you need. My props are used over again in lots of shoots, so to make your shoot is even more unique, I advise providing your own props or allowing budget for me to source them for you. Think about perishable items too, like fresh flowers and food/drink - extra touches like this really help to build out a story in lifestyle images, so don’t overlook these details!
I don’t have a location for my shoot, can you help?
I have a home studio which is a perfect blank canvas and can accommodate small products. Some shoots require an alternative location to my home studio though so you’ll need to allow extra budget for this. I can help to source the perfect location if needed.
If you have a question that hasn’t been answered, please feel free to get in touch!
