How do I prepare products for a photography session?

Clean every product thoroughly (fingerprints and dust are invisible to the eye but glaringly obvious in photos), check labels and packaging for damage or misalignment, remove price stickers and barcodes, group products by type for efficient batch shooting, and create a shot list detailing which angles and styles you need per product.

What should I include in a product photography shot list?

For each product, specify: which angles (front, back, side, detail, overhead), which photography style (white background, lifestyle, or both), which platforms the images serve (Shopify, Amazon, social media), any specific features to highlight, and whether packaging should be included or excluded from the shot.

Should I send packaging with my products for a photoshoot?

Yes — unless you specifically don't want packaging in the images. Photographers can shoot with and without packaging in the same session. Bring or send the retail-ready version of the product, including any boxes, bags, tissue paper, or branded wrapping that a customer would receive.

How many samples of each product should I bring?

Bring at least two samples of each product where possible. Backups are essential in case of damage during setup, imperfections only visible under studio lighting, or the need to show the product at different angles simultaneously (e.g., inside and outside of packaging).

What cleaning supplies should I bring to a product photoshoot?

Microfibre cloths (for glass and reflective surfaces), lint rollers (for fabric products), compressed air (for removing dust from small crevices), rubbing alcohol (for removing sticky residue from labels), and white gloves (for handling polished metal or glass products without leaving fingerprints).

How far in advance should I prepare for a product photoshoot?

Start preparing 1–2 weeks before the session. This gives you time to order replacement stock if any products are damaged, finalise your shot list, gather any props or brand materials you want to include, and communicate final requirements to your photographer.

Product Photography

Product Photography Checklist: How to Prepare Your Products for a Shoot

26 February 2026 • Amplify Creative Lab • 8 min read

Product Photography
E-commerce
Perth Business
Tips

Why Preparation Matters More Than You Think

Studio time is expensive — around $200–$300 per hour in Perth. Every minute spent cleaning a product, peeling off a barcode sticker, or debating which angles to shoot is a minute not spent photographing. Clients who arrive prepared consistently get 30–50% more images from the same session length.

This checklist covers everything you need to do before your product photography session — whether you’re attending in person or using a Ship and Shoot service where you mail products to the studio.

1. Product Cleaning and Inspection

Studio lighting reveals every imperfection. What looks pristine under office lighting will show fingerprints, dust, scratches, and label misalignment under controlled studio conditions.

Cleaning Checklist

Glass and glossy surfaces: Wipe with a microfibre cloth. Use glass cleaner for bottles, jars, and anything transparent. Wear cotton or nitrile gloves when handling polished surfaces after cleaning.
Matte and textured surfaces: Use a lint roller for fabric products. Compressed air removes dust from crevices, embossing, and textured labels.
Labels and stickers: Check that all labels are straight, centred, and free from bubbles or peeling edges. Remove any barcode stickers, price tags, or security labels that shouldn’t appear in final images.
Caps, lids, and closures: Ensure caps are screwed on straight and sitting flush. Pump dispensers should be aligned consistently across all units.
Fabric and soft goods: Iron or steam any fabric products. Lint-roll everything. Check for loose threads and trim them.

Inspection Checklist

Look for dents, scratches, or scuffs on packaging
Check that printed text is legible and not smudged
Verify colour consistency across multiple units of the same product
Confirm all products are the final retail version — not prototypes or outdated packaging

2. Shot List Planning

A shot list is the single most important document for your session. Without one, you’ll default to “let’s try this” — which wastes time and often misses critical angles.

For Each Product, Define:

Required angles: Front, back, side, three-quarter, top-down, detail/close-up. Not every product needs all six — decide in advance.
Photography style: White background, lifestyle, or both. See our guide on choosing between white background and lifestyle photography.
Platform requirements: Amazon requires pure white backgrounds. Shopify works best with square images. Instagram favours lifestyle. Note which platform each image serves.
Features to highlight: Specific textures, ingredients lists, unique closures, handmade details, or anything that differentiates your product.
With or without packaging: Do you want the product shot inside its box? Outside? Both? Decide before the session.

Shot List Template

A simple spreadsheet works:

Column 1: Product name/SKU
Column 2: Angles needed (front, back, side, detail, overhead)
Column 3: Style (white bg / lifestyle / both)
Column 4: Platforms (Shopify, Amazon, social, print)
Column 5: Special notes (show label, include packaging, pair with another product)

Send this to your photographer at least 3–5 days before the session so they can plan lighting setups and allocate time accordingly.

3. Packaging Decisions

Decide in advance whether your photography includes packaging:

Product only (no packaging): Shows the product as customers will use it. Best for skincare, supplements, homewares.
Product in packaging: Shows what arrives when ordered. Essential for gift items, premium products, and anything where the unboxing experience matters.
Both: Most common choice. Gives you images for different contexts — packaged for the product listing, unpackaged for lifestyle and social content.

If shooting with packaging, bring the retail-ready version — the same box, wrap, tissue paper, or bag that a customer would receive. Don’t bring plain shipping cartons unless that’s genuinely the retail packaging.

4. Quantities and Backups

Bring Two of Everything

Imperfections happen. A product that looks perfect on your desk might reveal a dent under studio lighting. A label might peel during setup. Having a backup means the shoot continues without interruption.

This is especially important for:

Glass products (risk of smudges or chips)
Products with stickers or wrapping (may need replacement)
Food items (may deteriorate under lights)
Anything fragile that could be damaged in transit (for Ship and Shoot)

Grouping Products

Organise products into groups of similar items:

Group by size (small items together, large items together)
Group by type (all bottles, all boxes, all pouches)
Group by range (all products from the same collection or flavour line)

This allows the photographer to batch similar products with the same lighting setup, maintaining consistency and maximising speed.

5. Brand Materials to Provide

Help your photographer match your brand’s visual identity:

Brand style guide: Colours, fonts, mood references. Even a simple Pinterest board or Instagram link showing your brand aesthetic helps.
Reference images: Examples of product photography you like — from competitors, other brands, or your own previous shoots. Show what you’re aiming for.
Logo files: If any images will include your logo as an overlay or watermark (though this is rarely recommended for ecommerce).
Props: If you have specific props that match your brand (branded tissue paper, custom boxes, signature colours), bring them. Otherwise, most studios have a prop library.

6. Communication with Your Photographer

Before the session, make sure you’ve discussed:

Final deliverable formats: Web-ready (WebP/JPEG, under 200KB), high-resolution (TIFF/PNG for print), platform-specific crops (square for Shopify, landscape for website banners).
Turnaround time: When do you need the finished images? Align expectations before the shoot, not after.
Colour accuracy priorities: If your product’s exact colour is important (e.g., a paint brand, a fabric line), mention this. The photographer may need to calibrate colour profiles specifically.
Image naming: If you have specific SKU codes or naming conventions for your ecommerce platform, share them. Many photographers can name files to match your system.

7. Ship and Shoot Preparation

If you’re using a Ship and Shoot service (mailing products to the studio instead of attending):

Pack carefully: Use bubble wrap, tissue paper, and sturdy boxes. Products that arrive damaged can’t be photographed.
Include a packing list: Label each product clearly, matching your shot list. If a photographer can’t identify which product is which, time is wasted on confirmation emails.
Include your shot list and brand materials: Print them or include a USB drive. Don’t rely on the photographer finding an email from three weeks ago.
Arrange return shipping: Discuss who pays for return shipping before the session. Include a prepaid return label if possible.

The Day-Before Checklist

The night before your session, confirm:

All products are cleaned and inspected
Shot list is finalised and sent to the photographer
Packaging and props are packed
Backup samples are included
Brand reference materials are ready
You know the studio address and session start time
Products are grouped and labelled

Ready to Book Your Shoot?

Preparation is the difference between a stressful, half-finished session and a smooth, productive one that delivers everything you need. Follow this checklist and you’ll arrive with confidence — and leave with images that sell.

Get in touch to book your product photography session. We’ll help you plan the shot list and ensure your session runs smoothly from start to finish.

Learn more about ecommerce photography requirements, see our Perth product photography services, or read our food shoot preparation guide if you’re in hospitality.