Getting Organised - Product shoot
How can I plan for my Product shoot? By now you should have a clear idea of why you need a shoot and what you want to achieve from your shoot. You can have a read here if you missed the FAQ post :)
Here are some TIPS on how you can get organised and plan for your shoot:
Plan ahead
If you have a deadline to meet, it’s worth mentioning to me before your shoot. Planning a shoot (from initial booking to receiving your images), averages about 6-8 weeks. Images are ready 14 days after the shoot, but there is a good amount of planning that’s required beforehand. I also get booked up 1-2 months in advance, so the sooner you get in touch the better!
Think about what images you’ll need
In order to get the best out of your shoot, you need to think about the BIGGER PICTURE.
- What images are currently missing from your image library?
- Is there a time you feel most frustrated when posting on social media that you don't have relevant images for?
- How often do you post on social media?
- What are the absolute must-have shots that you would like from the shoot?
- Think about HOW and WHERE you will use the images from the shoot. Do you need them for website banners, Instagram feed or marketing campaigns? Will you need negative space within the image to allow for text overlays? All of this will make a difference to the way I shoot.
Locations
Having a lifestyle aspect to your product photography helps your customer to imagine themselves using it. It shows your product within a styled scene, with and without models and really brings some context to it. Depending on the product you’re selling, the location for these lifestyle images is going to be really important. If you’re selling homewares, the obvious choice is to style and photograph in a house. But what sort of house? Think carefully about the aesthetic and make sure it’s suited to your brand and ideal customer.
Props
Props help to tell the story of your brand, so think carefully about what you should include. Props can help to elevate your products and speak to your audience. But they should only ever compliment or add to the story in some way - never detract from the main product itself. I have a selection of props that can be included in your shoot, but allow some extra budget for any extras that may be needed.
Mood boards
When you book a product shoot with me, one of the steps in the planning is setting up a mood board. This is a really great way to make sure we’re on the same page creatively. Gather some images and be really specific with what you include - and make a note of what you’re most drawn to within the image. Is it the colour, the style, the lighting, the composition? All these little details will help me to know what it is you really love about the photos and how I can incorporate it into our shoot.
Shot List
The final step before our shoot is to create a shot list. This will need to include where the images will be used, any specific details that need to be captured and whether images should be vertical or horizontal. The more detail you can add to this, the better!
Preparing your products for the shoot
Spend some time making sure all your products are in perfect condition, clean and free from damage. If you’re having multiples or group shots, make sure you include enough. If you need packaging shots, make sure you include extra packaging - don’t expect the box you deliver your products in to be the box that gets photographed! If you can, include spares of products - and make sure everything is sealed really well. It’s so easy for things to leak or break in transit. If you’re including any fresh produce or flowers for props, make sure they’re ordered for the right day.
I hope this blog post has helped you as you prepare for your product shoot. If you have any questions or need further help, just send me an email.
