reaperinvest Product Photography Brief
When to Use This Skill
- User needs product photos for an online store
- User is briefing a photographer for e-commerce product shots
- User wants a shot list with angles, lighting, and styling notes
- User is preparing to photograph products themselves (DIY)
- User needs Amazon, Shopify, or marketplace-compliant product images
- User wants lifestyle product photos for social media or ads
Core Principle
PRODUCT PHOTOS SELL THE PRODUCT WHEN YOU CANNOT — EVERY SHOT MUST ANSWER A QUESTION THE BUYER HAS BEFORE THEY ADD TO CART.
Shot Types Reference
| Shot Type | Purpose | Where It's Used |
|---|---|---|
| Hero/Main | First impression, clean product view | Thumbnail, search results, main listing |
| Angle shots | Show shape, depth, dimensions | Product gallery images 2-4 |
| Detail/Macro | Texture, material, craftsmanship | Product gallery, zoom view |
| Scale shot | Show real-world size | Product gallery, reduce returns |
| In-use/Lifestyle | Show product being used | Social media, ads, lifestyle gallery |
| Packaging | Unboxing experience | Email, social, product page |
| Group/Collection | Multiple products together | Collection pages, upsell sections |
| Infographic | Features called out with text overlay | Amazon A+ content, product page |
Workflow
Phase 1: Understand the Product and Platform
Gather product details:
- What is the product? (material, size, weight, color options)
- What platform will the photos be used on? (Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, social media)
- What are the key selling points the photos must communicate?
- What questions do buyers typically ask? (sizing, material, how it works)
- Does the product come in variants? (colors, sizes)
Check platform requirements:
- Amazon: Main image must be pure white background, product fills 85% of frame, no text/graphics on main image, minimum 1000px on longest side, sRGB color profile
- Shopify: Square (1:1) recommended, consistent backgrounds across catalog, minimum 2048x2048px
- Etsy: First photo should show the product clearly, lifestyle shots encouraged, minimum 2000px on shortest side
- Instagram: 1:1 or 4:5, lifestyle-focused, brand-consistent aesthetic
Phase 2: Build the Shot List
- Create the core shot list (minimum 7 shots per product):
| Priority | Shot | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hero front | Product centered, straight-on, white or brand background |
| 2 | Hero angle | 3/4 angle showing depth and dimension |
| 3 | Back view | Reverse side, label, or ingredient list visible |
| 4 | Detail close-up | Texture, stitching, material quality, key feature |
| 5 | Scale reference | Product next to common object or held in hand |
| 6 | In-use lifestyle | Product being used in natural environment |
| 7 | Packaging/unboxing | Product in packaging, partially unwrapped |
- Add category-specific shots:
- Apparel: Flat lay, on model, fabric close-up, care label
- Food/Beverage: Ingredients visible, serving suggestion, pouring/plating
- Electronics: Ports/buttons close-up, screen on, with accessories
- Beauty/Skincare: Texture swatch, product dispensed, before/after context
- Jewelry: On model, macro detail, clasp/closure, size comparison
- Home goods: In room setting, multiple angles, close-up of material
Phase 3: Define Technical Direction
Specify lighting for each shot type:
- White background (hero): Two softboxes at 45 degrees, reflector underneath for shadow fill, even exposure
- Lifestyle: Natural window light (north-facing preferred), reflector for fill, golden hour for warm scenes
- Detail/Macro: Single directional light at 30-45 degrees to reveal texture, diffused to avoid harsh highlights
- Flat lay: Overhead light directly above, diffused, no harsh shadows
Specify styling notes:
- Props (keep minimal — maximum 3 items that support the story)
- Background surfaces (marble, wood, linen, concrete — match brand aesthetic)
- Color palette for lifestyle shots (complement, don't compete with product)
- Human elements (hands only, partial model, full model)
Phase 4: Format the Brief
- Compile into a photographer-ready document:
- Product name and SKU
- Platform and image requirements
- Complete shot list with descriptions
- Lighting notes per shot type
- Styling direction and props list
- Reference images (links or descriptions)
- File delivery specs (format, resolution, naming convention)
Example 1: Leather Wallet Product Photography Brief
Input: "I need product photos for a men's leather bifold wallet I'm selling on Shopify and Amazon. It's hand-stitched, comes in brown and black, retails for $89."
Output:
Product Photography Brief: Artisan Leather Bifold Wallet
Product: Hand-stitched leather bifold wallet Variants: Brown, Black Retail: $89 Platforms: Shopify (primary), Amazon (secondary)
Image Requirements
- Amazon main image: Pure white background (#FFFFFF), product fills 85%+ of frame, no text, minimum 2000x2000px, sRGB, JPEG
- Shopify gallery: 2048x2048px square crop, consistent light gray or white background
- Social/Marketing: 1:1 and 4:5 ratios, lifestyle-oriented
Shot List — Brown Variant (repeat for Black)
| # | Shot Type | Description | Framing | Lighting | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hero front | Wallet closed, front face centered, slight 5-degree tilt for dimension | Straight-on, product fills 85% | Dual softbox, 45-degree sides, white reflector below | Pure white |
| 2 | Hero 3/4 angle | Wallet closed, 3/4 angle from left showing spine and front | 30-degree angle, medium | Dual softbox, slight shadow on right for depth | Pure white |
| 3 | Open interior | Wallet open flat showing card slots, bill compartment, and ID window | Overhead, slight angle | Single softbox overhead, diffused, fill card on right | Pure white |
| 4 | Detail — stitching | Close-up of hand-stitching along wallet edge, showing thread quality | Macro, tight crop on corner | Single directional light at 30 degrees from left to create texture shadows | Pure white |
| 5 | Detail — leather grain | Close-up of leather surface showing natural grain and patina | Macro, 2-inch square area | Raking light at low angle to emphasize grain texture | Pure white |
| 6 | Scale — in hand | Male hand holding closed wallet naturally, casual grip | Medium, hand centered | Natural light or large softbox, soft shadows | Light gray or out-of-focus lifestyle |
| 7 | In-use — cards | Wallet open with 2-3 cards partially inserted, a few bills visible in compartment | Overhead, slight angle | Natural window light from left, reflector on right | Dark wood desk surface |
| 8 | Lifestyle — pocket | Wallet half-inserted in back pocket of dark denim jeans | Medium, waist-down crop | Natural outdoor light, golden hour preferred | Outdoor or indoor with natural light |
| 9 | Flat lay — EDC | Wallet alongside watch, keys, and pen on leather desk mat | Overhead, centered | Even overhead diffused light | Dark leather or slate surface |
| 10 | Packaging | Wallet in branded box, tissue paper folded back, box lid beside it | 45-degree angle, showing box interior | Soft natural light, warm tone | Light linen or marble |
Styling Notes
Props (lifestyle shots only):
- Worn leather desk mat (dark brown or black)
- Vintage brass key ring with 2-3 keys
- Minimal analog watch (leather strap, not flashy)
- Matte black pen
- 2-3 real credit/debit cards (or realistic props — no obviously fake cards)
- A few real bills (not fanned out like a stock photo)
Wardrobe (pocket shot):
- Dark indigo raw denim jeans, clean, no distressing
- Simple brown leather belt visible at top of frame
Color palette for backgrounds: Warm neutrals — dark wood, slate gray, cream linen, matte black
AVOID:
- Shiny or reflective surfaces that create hot spots on leather
- Overly styled "Instagram flat lay" with scattered coffee beans and succulents
- Anything that makes a $89 wallet look like a $15 wallet (cheap surfaces, harsh flash)
- Stock photo clichés: wallet overflowing with hundred dollar bills
Deliverables
- RAW + edited JPEG for all shots
- Retouching: dust/lint removal, color correction for true-to-life leather tone, white balance consistency. No heavy color grading.
- Amazon-ready crops (white background, product fills 85%+)
- Shopify-ready crops (2048x2048 square)
- File naming:
wallet-brown-01-hero-front.jpg,wallet-brown-02-angle.jpg, etc.
Example 2: Ceramic Mug Product Photography Brief
Input: "I need photos for a handmade ceramic mug I sell on Etsy and my own website. It's 12oz, speckled glaze, $34."
Output:
Product Photography Brief: Speckled Ceramic Mug
Product: Handmade 12oz ceramic mug, speckled glaze Variants: Desert Sand, Ocean Blue, Forest Moss Retail: $34 Platforms: Etsy, Squarespace website
Shot List — Desert Sand Variant (repeat for each glaze color)
| # | Shot Type | Description | Framing | Lighting | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hero front | Mug centered, handle at 3 o'clock position, slight shadow underneath | Straight-on, product fills 70% | Two softboxes, 45-degree, white reflector | Off-white linen or pure white |
| 2 | Hero angle | 3/4 view showing handle shape and interior glaze | 30-degree angle, medium | Single softbox camera-left, reflector right | Off-white linen |
| 3 | Top-down interior | Looking into the mug showing interior glaze and rim thickness | Directly overhead | Ring light or diffused overhead panel | Dark wood surface |
| 4 | Detail — glaze | Macro of speckled glaze texture on mug body | Macro, 1-inch area | Raking light from left at 20-degree angle | Neutral, blurred |
| 5 | Detail — bottom | Mug tipped to show maker's mark/stamp on bottom | Angled, hand holding mug tilted | Natural light, fill from right | Light background |
| 6 | Scale — in hands | Two hands cupping the mug at chest height, cozy sweater sleeves visible | Medium, hands centered | Natural window light, warm tone | Soft, blurred interior |
| 7 | In-use — coffee | Mug filled with black coffee, slight steam, on kitchen counter | Medium, 30-degree angle | Morning natural light from window behind-left | Kitchen counter (butcher block or stone) |
| 8 | Lifestyle — reading | Mug beside open book on side table, blanket draped nearby | Wide, environmental | Warm natural light, golden hour feel | Living room setting |
| 9 | Group — all colors | All three glaze variants in a row, staggered depth | Medium wide, shallow depth of field | Even diffused light | Raw wood shelf or light background |
| 10 | Packaging | Mug wrapped in recycled kraft paper, nestled in box | 45-degree overhead angle | Soft natural light | White or light wood surface |
Styling Notes
Props:
- Fresh black coffee (pour right before the shot — no cold coffee with dull surface)
- Linen napkin in a neutral tone
- Open hardcover book (matte cover, no glossy bestseller)
- Simple spoon (matte metal or wood, not polished silver)
Surfaces: Raw wood, butcher block, natural stone, linen cloth
Human elements: Hands only — knit sweater or rolled-up linen sleeves. No faces needed. Hands should look natural, not posed.
AVOID:
- Bright colored backgrounds that compete with the glaze
- Overly perfect styling — these are handmade, the setting should feel organic
- Overhead flash that flattens the glaze texture
- Empty mug in lifestyle shots — always fill it with coffee or tea
Deliverables
- RAW + edited JPEG, 72dpi web-ready versions included
- Color accuracy is critical: glaze colors must match the real product. Shoot with a color checker card.
- Etsy-ready: minimum 2000px shortest side
- Square crops (1:1) for website and social
- File naming:
mug-desert-sand-01-hero.jpg,mug-ocean-blue-02-angle.jpg
Recovery and Fallback
- If the user is doing DIY photography with a phone, simplify: recommend natural window light (north-facing), a sheet of white poster board for background, and the phone's portrait mode. Focus on shots 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 only.
- If the user has no styling props, recommend: "Use what you have — a clean wood cutting board, a linen dish towel, and a plant you already own can create a lifestyle setting."
- If the product is too small for standard shots (earrings, rings), recommend a macro lens or clip-on phone macro lens, and prioritize detail and scale shots.
- If the user has dozens of products, create a repeatable template shot list that works for the entire catalog — consistency beats variety.
- After 3 failed attempts to define the visual direction, stop and say: "Send me links to 3 product photos from any brand that you think look great. I'll reverse-engineer the style."
Constraints
- NEVER skip the scale/size reference shot — it is the number one reducer of returns
- NEVER recommend glossy or reflective backgrounds for matte products (and vice versa)
- Always include platform-specific image requirements (dimensions, background rules)
- Every shot must specify framing AND lighting — one without the other is incomplete
- Lifestyle shots must include the product being USED, not just sitting in a pretty setting
- Maximum 12 shots per product variant — beyond that, diminishing returns
- Hero/main images must always be on white or neutral backgrounds for marketplace compliance
- File naming conventions must be specified in every brief