Read this blog if you want to learn how I create fun, evergreen, and EASY product photos every time I shoot with just a little preparation beforehand. The tea:
The truth is: taking product photos is as easy as pointing a camera at a product and snapping a photo- but doing so will lead to lackluster results, missed opportunities and, let's face it, a lot less fun. So keep reading if you want to learn how to capture photos with intention and personality every time!
1. Self-reflection and brand identity
First, take 5 minutes to reflect on the vision your brand is trying to communicate; consider your brand identity, voice, and the niche your brand occupies. (You only have to do this part once, so skip to step 2 if you've already completed it!)
Brainstorm as many words as you can that reflect your brand or product. Then, take these ideas right on over to Pinterest and spend a few minutes here pinning visuals into a general mood board for your brand. For example, I wrote down words like "bold" and "funky," so I searched "bold home decor" in Pinterest and pinned the images I liked to my mood board. Think of this board as the overall "vibe" that your brand represents. Check out my mood board here.
2. Photoshoot inspiration
Now that you have a brand mood board, it's time to find photoshoot inspiration. This will change depending on the product you're shooting, and the type of content you want to create so it's helpful (but not necessary) to create a new board for each shoot! (Remember to only gain inspiration from others' creative work and to never copy someone's original idea.)
Think of words that represent the product you're capturing and attach "product photos" after it. For example, for my paint can candle launch I searched "paint can product photos" to find inspiration for the shoot.
Once you have your photoshoot inspiration, it's time to gather some props!
3. Finding timeless props on a budget
If you're anything like me, this part is the most fun because it involves shopping and being creative. The goal when searching for props is to find items that can work for multiple photoshoots, last a long time, and are budget-friendly. Here's an example shopping list broken up into basics (things you can use for every shoot) and statements (things that are shoot specific, or things that allow for creative freedom)
Basics:
- 2-3 colored fabrics that represent your brand colors. (keep texture in mind to create contrast in your photos)
- Multi-colored cardstock paper or poster board
- Props that elevate (books, foam blocks, acrylic shelves)
- Brand-specific lifestyle props (ex: disco balls for a retro aesthetic, pampas grass for a luxury/whimsical feel)
Statements:
- Food and flowers
- Seasonal props
- Accent props (ex: paint brush for paint can candles, water for skin care product)
- Specific location (Peerspace is a great resource for finding a shoot-specific space!)
Gather items you already have in your home, thrift what you don't have, and take advantage of DIY projects to capture your vision!
4. The shot-list
The last thing you need to help you take amazing photos is your shot-list. A shot-list is essentially a checklist for every photo you want to capture the day of the shoot. Here's a basic shot-list for you to reference to make sure you get all the content you need for your website, emails, social media, and sales platforms in one go:
Shot-list:- 1 landscape lifestyle shot
- 1 lifestyle flat-lay
- 2-3 behind the scenes photos
- 2-3 short behind the scenes videos
- Group shot portrait
- Group shot landscape
- 2-3 detail shots/close ups of product/packaging
- 2-3 product in use shots as needed (a candle burning, product in hands)
- 2-4 individual lifestyle shots per product (using 2 different backgrounds)
- 2 individual plain background shots per product (2 angles)
Now that you have everything you need for a successful photoshoot, it's time to decide on the location.
5. Photoshoot time!
The most important aspect of your shoot location is the lighting that's available to you. Natural light is the easiest way to capture clear and appealing images so find a room with a big window or go outside! Be mindful of the weather and time of day as these conditions will affect the overall feel of your photos. If you prefer more contrasting images then stay indoors and use a harsh flash. Get creative and try out different locations depending on the look you're going for and what is accessible to you!
(Photo: indoor location with harsh flash lighting)
Be sure to have your Pinterest photoshoot board and shot-list available for quick reference during the shoot. Make sure your camera/phone is charged and has lots of space. Have a towel handy in case you need to clean up your area, and keep tape accessible so you can secure your props as needed.
6. Free post-production apps
Once you have all your photos/videos captured, it's time to edit them and really bring them to life! For photos, I highly recommend using the free Adobe Lightroom app as an all-purpose editor and Picsart to add cool effects like flare and bokeh masks. For videos, I'm partial to the free video-editing app called InShot. Of course, these are just a few of my suggestions but there's so many great apps out there for you to use!
(Video: via instagram showing the magic of post-production editing)
Keep following these product photography steps so you can go into every shoot prepared, confident, and ready to capture photos with intention and personality!
That's the tea!
Thank you for reading! I'd love to hear any comments from you about future blog ideas, questions you may have, or just use it as a space to spill the tea on whatever you've got goin' on!