How to Prepare Your Products for a Photo Shoot

Most photo shoot delays and reshoots aren't caused by the photographer or the studio. They're caused by the products arriving in a state that isn't ready to shoot. A tag left on, a smudge on the surface, a missing piece in the kit, a wrinkled garment that needs extra steaming. These issues multiply — a one-day delay in prep can push a 3-day shoot into a 5-day shoot. Here's the checklist to avoid all of it.

Before you ship

Every product that arrives at the studio should be ready to wear, ready to assemble, or ready to display. The studio doesn't have time (or in most cases, the obligation) to clean, repair, or assemble products. This is your last chance to make sure each item looks the way you want it to look in the final images.

1. Remove all tags, stickers, and labels — including the ones on the inside of clothing and on the bottom of products
2. Wipe down all surfaces with a microfiber cloth to remove dust, fingerprints, and shipping residue
3. For apparel: steam or iron each garment; folded creases show up in photos
4. For multi-piece products: include all parts and a packing list so nothing gets separated
5. For electronics: include the product only, no packaging unless specifically requested (chargers, cables, manuals usually don't get photographed)

Shipping to the studio

Use a carrier with tracking and insurance. For shipments under $500 in product value, USPS Priority or UPS Ground usually suffice. Above that, add insurance. The studio is not responsible for products lost in transit, and even with insurance, a lost shipment adds 5-10 days to your timeline.

• Double-box fragile items (the original retail box goes inside a shipping box with padding)
• Use poly bags or tissue paper between garments to prevent transfer prints and snags
• Ship to the studio address provided in your quote — not the photographer's home or PO box
• Email the tracking number the same day you ship
• Keep a separate record of every SKU shipped with quantities and condition notes

Reference images and creative direction

The most common cause of reshoots isn't a bad product — it's a vague brief. 'Make it look nice' is not a creative direction. The studio needs to know what success looks like: the angle, the lighting, the styling, the background, the mood. Send 3-5 reference images of the look you're going for, ideally from competitor listings or your own best-performing current imagery.

For AI-generated lifestyle imagery, the reference is even more important. The AI model uses your reference to define scene, lighting, and overall mood. Without it, you get generic output. With it, you get imagery that matches your brand.

Communication during the shoot

Most studios send a proof gallery within 24-48 hours of the shoot. Review it the same day — every day the proof sits in your inbox is a day added to your timeline. Mark up the images that need changes (be specific: 'lighter on the left side,' 'color is too warm,' 'crop tighter'). Vague feedback like 'doesn't look right' forces the studio to guess, which usually means a second round of revisions.

Decide up front how many revision rounds are included in your quote (most studios include 1-2). If you need more, expect an hourly rate for additional time.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Shipping products with retail packaging on (the Amazon main image requires no packaging)
• Forgetting to include the product variants (size, color) you need photographed
• Sending dirty or used-looking products as 'new'
• Not specifying image dimensions or aspect ratios upfront
• Approving the proof on a phone screen — always review proofs on a calibrated monitor if possible

A well-prepared shipment is the difference between a 5-day shoot and a 10-day shoot. The full prep checklist (PDF) covers apparel, electronics, beauty, and multi-piece kits — request it via the contact form when you book. If you'd rather skip the prep work, our product photography service includes in-house steaming, tag removal, and minor cleanup before the shoot.