Building Your Brand Photoshoot Checklist | 9 Photos You Need for a Successful Shoot
As a brand photographer, I care more about the impact my photos have on your business than I do about pretty photos. That’s why when you book with me for your brand photoshoot, I work with you to create a shot list that will do more than just get you nice-looking photos. I care about the return you get on your investment and the effect your brand photoshoot has on your conversion rates. Your product photography shot list should be rooted in strategy, not just aesthetics, and I’m here to tell you exactly how to create a plan to get photography that works for you.
9 Different Kinds of Photos You Need From Your Brand Photoshoot to Actually See Conversions
#1: Lifestyle Photos
Lifestyle imagery shows your products being used in a real-life scenario, not just posed and staged for a photo. This typically looks like having models really use your product, which introduces a human element into your brand photoshoot. This imagery is crucial to have because it speaks directly to your buyer, showing how your product is used, where your product is used, and by whom your product is used.
When consumers can visualize using your product in their everyday life, it takes them from being a casual scroller to actually picturing themselves using it, which is a major part to getting that conversion point in the consumer sales funnel.
#2: PDP Imagery
Photos that are specific for your product detail pages are a must-have. These show your customer exactly what they’re getting, with no distracting background or other noise. PDP images typically show off your packaging, labels, and ingredients so that customers can familiarize themselves with what your product offers them.
Aside from your site, these images are also great to use across e-commerce platforms. Think Target, Amazon, Faire, and even your sell sheets.
#3: Ingredient Highlight Photos and Texture Imagery
Highlighting certain elements of your product showcases the essence without the packaging details. For food, this may look like flavor cues or ingredients that set your product apart. For beauty or skincare brands, it might be goop or texture shots.
This type of photo is absolutely crucial for brands who emphasize using quality ingredients. It establishes trust, and sets your brand to a higher standard in the buyer’s mind.
#4: GIFs, Cineagraphs, and Video Shots
In a world where visual hooks can make or break your performance, introducing movement in your professional visuals is a game-changer. GIFs are a great way to add motion with still assets, and easy to use across your website, social media, and email campaigns. High-quality, professional videography is a really effective tool for showcasing your product in a media pool that’s video-driven. Plus, these kinds of shots give you variety to use across platforms to keep consumers interested and intrigued.
#5: How It’s Made or Behind-the-Scenes Photos
Showing off behind-the-scenes aspects of your brand establishes trust by utilizing transparency, which is increasingly important to converting lookers into customers. This is an especially useful tool for brands that grow their own ingredients, manufacture their own products, or use specialized technology. For example, wine brands could show the vineyard, then the harvesting and crushing of grapes. A vegan burger brand could show the engineering, recipe development, and ingredient sourcing. A steak brand could showcase the cows and their wellbeing, the quality control process, and a steak being cooked.
Aside from establishing trust, behind-the-scenes content gives buyers insight to the story behind your product. According to this article from Acquia, storytelling is crucial for brands today. People love to shop from brands that they connect with, and when you’re delivering that emotional aspect of your brand, buyers will find it easier to create that relationship.
#6: A Founder Headshot
In the same vein as above, showing off the people behind your brand establishes association. Putting a face to the brand is more important than ever before in a world that craves emotional connection. When people feel like they know the full story of your product, all the way down to what the founder looks like, it creates that link.
These shots are necessary in a brand photoshoot because they’re also ideal to be used for speaking engagements or press releases. Plus, it doubles as content that can be used in a founder’s personal branding, which is a win-win!
#7: “How To” Imagery
While demonstrating how to use your product is sometimes tied into the lifestyle photography session, having specific photos with the purpose of educating your customer on how to use your product? Crucial. Consumers are far more likely to purchase a product when they feel confident that they can use it correctly. And again, these photos help buyers put themselves in the shoes of using your product, which is already established as an important step in the consumer journey.
#8: Collections or Product Line Photos
Getting a full shot of a product line all together helps categorize your offerings into groups, which is essential for e-commerce brands to use across advertising and their websites. Being able to create separate groups is helpful for the branding and visuals for each line, that may each target a different kind of consumer.
#9: Banner or Hero Images
Last but absolutely not least, you need banner or hero images. These refer to photos that capture your product at its best. It’s a show-stopping, impactful image showing off your brand and your product’s full essence, using strategic lighting, colors, and styling.
How a Brand Photographer Will Help You Create Your Brand Photoshoot Shot List
Don’t let reading this make you sweat about creating the perfect shot list – that’s what I’m here for. Brand photoshoots will always be a collaborative effort, not micromanagement from either of our ends. As a professional, I know exactly how to get the photos that will drive sales, not just be a placeholder on your site.
The guidance and knowledge I bring fully shapes what a shoot looks like, and the approach will be different for every kind of brand. As a brand photographer who has worked across many different industries, I have experience in positioning and placement that I’ll bring specially to your product photography.
Jeremy Lee | Product & Brand Photographer
When you hire me for your brand photoshoot, I’m more than just a vendor. I’m a growth partner. I care about the return you’re seeing on your investment, and I make sure that every photo I take points to the same goal: a sale.
If you’re ready to make the investment, or learn more about what kind of photography you need for your brand, inquire here!
Check out more helpful information for your brand photoshoot while you’re here:
Answering Frequently Asked Questions About Product Photography
