How to Plan and Execute a Styled Product Photo Shoot

As a product photographer, it’s frequently your responsibility to portray an item in its most attractive light for promotion and advertising needs. This could ideally be achieved by either capturing an image of the product alone or within a decorated setup.

Product photo shoots can be planned and executed in a number of ways, depending on your creative vision and the resources available to you. In this article, we will outline how to plan and execute a styled product photo shoot, from start to finish.

In this guide:

• What is a Styled Photo Shoot?
  • What Does Styled Photo Shoot Means for eCommerce?
• Types of Styled Product Photo Shoots
• How to Plan a Styled Photo Shoot
• Professional Photo Editing Services by Pixel by Hand

What is a Styled Photo Shoot?

A styled product photo shoot is a photoshoot in which the product is placed in a specific setting or context, to create a certain look or feel. This could be anything from a carefully arranged still life to a more complex set-up with models and props.

For example, a photographer might style a product photo shoot to convey a feeling of luxury and opulence by using high-end props and a sumptuous color palette. Or, they could go for a more naturalistic approach, placing the product in an everyday setting such as a kitchen or garden.

The possibilities are endless – it all depends on your imagination and the message you want to communicate with your photos.

The key thing to remember with a styled shoot is that everything in the frame should contribute to the overall look and feel that you are trying to create. This means that every element, from the lighting to the background, should be carefully considered in advance.

What Does Styled Photo Shoot Means for eCommerce?

There are many reasons why you might want to style a product photo shoot rather than photographing the product in isolation. For one thing, styled product photos can be more visually interesting and engaging than simple product shots. They can also convey a lot of information about the product and its intended use, which can be helpful for customers making purchasing decisions.

Styled photo shoot can also help your products stand out from the competition. In a world where everyone is selling online, making sure your products stand out from the crowd is more important now than ever. A well-executed styled photo shoot will help your products look their best and give potential customers a reason to choose your brand over the competition.

In addition, styled product photos can convey a certain brand identity or style that can make your products more recognizable and memorable to potential customers. This is particularly important for small businesses and start-ups that are trying to establish themselves in a competitive market.

A styled photo shoot is an opportunity to tell a story about your product and give potential customers a sense of what it’s like to use it. This is especially important for lifestyle brands, where the story behind the product is just as important as the product itself.

Finally, styled product photos can be useful for social media marketing and other digital marketing initiatives. They can help your products stand out from the crowd and make your brand more visible online.

In the world of eCommerce, first impressions are everything. The photos you use on your website and social media will be the first thing potential customers see, so they must make a good impression.

Types of Styled Product Photo Shoots

There are many different ways to style a product photo shoot. The best approach for your online will depend on a number of factors including the type of product you are selling, your budget, and the look and feel you are trying to achieve.

Some of the most popular types of styled product photo shoots are:

• Still life

This is the simplest and most cost-effective option for product photography. It involves arranging the products in a specific way and photographing them against a neutral background. This type of shoot is perfect for small businesses with limited budgets.

Still life styled shoots are great for showcasing products like jewelry, homewares, and fashion accessories. For example, a jewelry designer might style a still life photo shoot with their products arranged on a velvet cloth against a dark background. This would create a luxurious and glamorous look that would appeal to customers.

Alternatively, a homewares brand might style a still life photo shoot with their products arranged attractively on a wooden table. This would create a warm and welcoming look that would encourage customers to purchase the products.

• Lifestyle

A lifestyle photo shoot involves placing the product in an everyday context, such as a kitchen or living room. This type of shoot is more expensive than a still life shoot, but it can effectively convey the message you want to communicate with your photos.

This type of shoot can best portray products like appliances, home decor, and furniture. For example, a furniture company might style a lifestyle photoshoot with its products placed in a beautiful, stylish living room. This would give potential customers an idea of how the furniture would look in their own homes and help them to envision themselves using the products.

• Action

An action photo shoot is perfect for products that are designed to be used in a specific way, such as sports equipment or kitchen appliances. This type of shoot can be more expensive than a still life or lifestyle shoot, but it can be very effective in conveying the message you want to communicate with your photos.

This type of shoot can best showcase products like fitness equipment, kitchen appliances, and power tools. For example, if you’re selling fitness equipment, you can use action photoshoot wherein your products are used by models in a gym setting.

The same goes for brands offering kitchen appliances or power tools. You can have your product photos taken with models using your appliances or tools, providing customers a clear context on how your products are used.

• Modeled

If you want your photos to have a more human element, then consider using models in your styled photo shoot. This will add a bit of extra complexity to the shoot, but it can be well worth the effort.

In a modeled photo shoot, the product is photographed being used by a model in a specific setting. Using models can help you create more lifestyle-oriented photos that give potential customers a better sense of what it’s like to use your product.

This is best used to showcase products like clothing, cosmetics, and fragrances. For example, a fashion retailers can do a modeled photo shoot with its products worn by models in various settings. This would show potential customers how the clothing can be worn and help them to envision themselves wearing the products.

For cosmetics, they can style a modeled photo shoot with its products being used by models in a makeup artist’s studio.

• Flat lays

A flat lay is a type of styled product photo shoot that involves arranging the products in a specific way on a flat surface, such as a table or floor. This type of shoot is perfect for products that can be easily arranged, such as jewelry, homewares, and fashion accessories.

Flat lays are also a great option for small businesses with limited budgets, as they can be easily done without the need for expensive props or backdrops. Its best used to showcase products like jewelry and fashion accessories.

For example, jewelers can do a flat lay photo shoot with their products arranged on a velvet cloth. This would help highlight the details in the jewelry pieces in an aesthetically pleasing way. Items like necklaces and bracelets best benefit from a flat lay photo shoot.

Fashion retailers can also use flat lays to showcase clothing items such as shirts, sweaters, pants, and dresses. They can style a flat lay with their products arranged on a table or floor, making sure to include different angles and views of the items. It mimics what customers would do at their homes when picking an OOTD (outfit of the day).

How to Plan a Styled Photo Shoot

Styled product photo shoot can entail a lot of moving parts, so it’s important to plan everything out ahead of time. Here are a few tips on how you can plan a styled photo shoot:

Define your goals

Before you start planning and scheduling anything, it’s important to take a step back and define your goals for the photo shoot. What message do you want to communicate with your photos? What type of products are you selling? How do you want your customers to see your brand?

Answering these questions will help you determine the best way to style your photo shoot and what kind of props, backdrops, and models you’ll need. It also helps to take a look at your competitors and see how they’re styling their product photos. This can give you some ideas on how you can make your photo shoot unique.

Plan your budget

Once you know what you want to achieve with your styled photo shoot, it’s time to start planning your budget. This will help you determine how many products you can style, what kind of backdrops and props you can use, and whether or not you’ll need to hire models.

If you’re working with a limited budget, consider doing a smaller photo shoot with fewer products. You can also get creative with your props and backdrops by using things you already have around the house or borrowing items from friends and family.

Schedule your shoot

Once you’ve planned out your budget and goals, it’s time to start scheduling your photo shoot. This includes booking a photographer, renting a studio (if necessary), and securing any props and backdrops you’ll need.

If you’re using models, you’ll also need to schedule a time for them to come in and try on the clothing. Make sure to give yourself enough time to style the products and set up the scene before the photographer arrives.

Prepare your products

Before the day of the photo shoot, it’s important to prepare your products. This includes making sure they’re clean and free of any damage. If you’re selling clothing, iron or steam the items so they look their best.

For cosmetics, make sure all the products are new and sealed. Jewelry should be cleaned and polished before the shoot. You want your products to look their best in the photos, so take the time to prepare them beforehand.

Set up the scene

On the day of the photo shoot, it’s time to set up the scene. This includes putting together any props and backdrops you’ll be using. Make sure the scene is well-lit and that all the products are arranged in a way that’s pleasing to the eye.

If you’re using models, help them style their hair and makeup and choose the clothing items they should wear. Once everything is in place, it’s time to start taking photos.

Take lots of photos

It’s important to take various photos during the shoot so you have plenty to choose from later. This includes close-ups of the products as well as wide shots of the scene. Be sure to take photos from different angles and with different lighting.

You can also have the models pose in different ways or interact with the products. The more photos you take, the better your chances of getting great shots you can use for your website and social media.

Edit the photos

After the photo shoot, it’s time to start editing the photos. This includes removing any blemishes, adjusting the lighting, and cropping the images. You can also add filters or other effects to make the photos look more professional.

Professional Photo Editing Services by Pixel by Hand

Editing your photos is an essential part of creating great product images. However, we understand that not everyone has the time or skills to do this themselves. This is where outsourcing your product image requirements to professionals like Pixel By Hand.

Our creative editors will quickly and easily edit your photos to perfection. Our process starts with a consultation session wherein we learn about your specific product image requirements. We then assign a team of editors who are experienced in your industry and start working on your photos right away.

We use the latest editing software and techniques to ensure that your photos look their best. And because we understand that every business is different, we offer customized editing packages to suit your needs.

You can get started with your FREE TRIAL to see us in action. Or have a quick chat with us by using the chatbox below. We’re always online to answer your questions.