Product Photography and Videography Guidelines

This quick guide walks you through everything you’ll need to make the shoot smooth and productive.

Before The Shoot

Step 1: Organisation

Product shoots can vary widely in style and setup, so we recommend starting with a clear plan of what you’re aiming to achieve. If needed, we can assist with:

Product stylists
Props and set dressing
Assistants to help with unpacking, cleaning, arranging, or on-set styling
Digital operator (DIGI) to assist with live review and file handling

Let us know in advance if you require any of the above, and we’ll help you plan accordingly.

Step 2:
Mood Board

Sharing a moodboard helps align the visual tone and styling direction across the team.

Your product shoot moodboard can include:

Lighting reference (e.g. soft, dramatic, natural light, hard flash)
Backdrop style (e.g. plain white, textured, coloured, lifestyle setting)
Framing / Cropping inspiration
Styling direction (e.g. minimal, layered with props, flat lay)
Retouching feel (if specific look is preferred)

Step 3: Shot List & Product Check

Please prepare a shot list that outlines:

Product name or SKU
Required angles (e.g. front, side, close-up, detail, group)
Any grouping or styling combinations
Priority items (if time is limited)

Before shoot day, make sure:

Products are clean and polished
Packaging is presentable (or removed if not needed)
Items are unpacked, labelled, and follow shot list order
Fragile items are safely handled and protected

This level of prep saves time on the day and helps us focus on capturing great images.

Step 4: Image Requirements & Delivery

To ensure we prepare and deliver what you need, please provide:

Image usage (e.g. e-commerce, social media, print)
Aspect ratios or dimensions (e.g. 4:5, 1:1, custom size)
File format (e.g. JPG, PNG, PSD)
Number of images per product or angle
Excel or Google Sheet with file naming guide if needed

Clear direction here allows us to keep the shoot organised and ensures correct delivery for your workflow.

During The Shoot

Here’s a general breakdown of how the day typically unfolds

Essentials Provided

We’ll have the following on hand: Clamps, tape, stands Backgrounds and surfaces (please discuss colour/texture in advance) Hangers, wipes, gloves for clean handling Let us know if you plan to bring anything special or branded for the shoot.

Setup & Styling

Setup time typically includes:

Equipment and lighting setup (30–60 mins)

Background and prop arrangement

Product placement and styling adjustments

We’ll work with you or your stylist to ensure every item is positioned correctly before shooting.

Shooting Time

Depending on product type and complexity, each item may take:

5–15 minutes for simple items

15–30 minutes for styled or layered setups

We can discuss time estimates beforehand based on your list and goals.

Live Review

We offer live previews so you can review each setup and suggest tweaks in real-time. If you’re unable to be on set, we can share a live screen or upload previews for approval.

Review images with our DIGI operator (if present)

Confirm key shots are ticked off from the shot list

Mark favourites or re-shoots during the session

After The Shoot

1. Image Selection (if not selected on the day)

You’ll receive preview selections shortly after the shoot. Please choose your preferred images within the agreed timeframe to avoid any delays.

You can [watch our short guide on how to select images here]. (Add hyperlink if available.)

Once your selection is confirmed, just let us know and we’ll begin post-production.

2. Post-Production

Let us know your retouching preferences and delivery format if they haven’t already been provided. We’ll also reconfirm image sizes and usage requirements before final delivery.

Post-production turnaround is 5 working days from the time of selection for up to 100 e-commerce images.

For larger batches or custom edits, timelines may vary. You’re welcome to check with us ahead of time.