You’ve finalized your packaging, your product is almost ready to launch, and now comes the exciting part, planning your first product photoshoot!
For many emerging CPG brands, professional product photography is one of the first major investments in their marketing. The right images can support your website, ecommerce listings, social media, retailer presentations, advertising, and more.
To make the most out of your first product photoshoot, here are six things to consider to make the most out of your investment.
Before planning the creative details, think about where your product photos will live and how they’ll be used. Defining this early helps shape your marketing strategy and gives your photographer the direction needed to create images that support your business.
Will your photos be used on your website, Amazon, or another ecommerce platform? Do you need content for social media, email marketing, or paid advertising? Will they appear in printed materials like sell sheets, brochures, table tents, posters, or even future packaging?
Understanding how your images will be used before your product photoshoot helps ensure you receive a versatile library of photography that continues to support your brand long after you’ve launched.
Great product photography should feel like a natural extension of your brand. Every decision, from lighting and backgrounds to styling and props, should reflect the personality of your business.
Think about the mood you want to create. Who is your ideal customer, and what resonates with them? Is your brand bold or mellow? Luxurious or approachable? Playful or refined?
You likely answered these questions when creating your logo, colors, and packaging. Carrying that same personality into your photography creates a cohesive brand experience across every customer touchpoint.
Different types of product photography serve different marketing purposes, so it’s important to identify what your brand actually needs.
Depending on your marketing strategy, you may only need one of these styles, or a combination of several, to create a well-rounded image library.
Once you know what types of images you need, create a shot list. It doesn’t have to be complicated! Even a simple document can keep your product photoshoot organized and ensures nothing important gets overlooked.
Think about hero images, front and back packaging shots, ingredient details, close-ups, group photos, lifestyle scenes, and any seasonal or campaign-specific images. If you offer multiple flavors or product variations, consider both individual product shots and group photography.
A thoughtful shot list helps your photographer plan efficiently and ensures you get the most value from your session.
You don’t need every creative detail figured out before hiring a photographer, but collecting inspiration is a great place to start.
I’m a big fan of creating a Pinterest board to save examples of photography that catches your eye. Instead of trying to recreate another brand’s images, pay attention to the lighting, colors, props, and overall mood.
Sharing visual inspiration gives your photographer a better understanding of your vision while leaving room to create imagery that’s unique to your brand.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is waiting until the last minute to schedule product photography.
Give yourself enough time to finalize packaging, receive production samples, and allow for editing before your product launch or marketing campaign.
If you’re planning a seasonal launch, retailer pitch, or holiday campaign, work backward from your deadline. Planning ahead creates a smoother process, reduces stress, and ensures your images are ready when you need them.
Planning your first product photoshoot is more than just creating beautiful images, it’s an investment in your brand’s future.
By taking the time to define your goals, understand your brand, and prepare before the shoot, you’ll create a library of photography that supports your website, ecommerce listings, social media, advertising, and print materials long after launch.
A thoughtful plan leads to better photography, a more efficient photoshoot, and marketing assets that continue working for your business for months, or even years, to come!
I work with CPG brands in all stages to create impactful imagery that supports your marketing goals. When your ready to take that next step with your product photography, I’d love to chat.
