Product Photography Brief

---
name: product-photography-brief
description: Creates e-commerce product photography shot lists with angles, lighting notes, and styling direction. Use this skill when a user needs to prepare for product photos, brief a photographer for e-commerce images, or plan product shots that drive conversions for their online store.
allowed-tools: Read Write Edit
---

# 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

1. 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)

2. 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

3. 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 |

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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