Start with where the images will appear
List the destinations: product pages, marketplaces, social posts, advertising or print. Each may need different crops, backgrounds and levels of detail.
Record the required formats and check any platform-specific requirements before production. A portrait campaign image may not work as a small square product thumbnail.
Build the shot list
Identify the products, variations, essential angles and details customers need to see. Separate must-have shots from creative experiments so the team can plan the session.
Include references with a short explanation of what you like: the lighting, mood, colour or composition. References should guide the conversation, not become instructions to copy someone else’s work.
Prepare products and decisions
Check product condition, packaging, labels and any accessories before the shoot. Decide who will review styling and approve the direction.
Agree usage, delivery, revision expectations and any restrictions in advance. Clear decisions reduce uncertainty during production.
Define the finish
Discuss retouching needs, colour consistency, cutouts and export formats. Ask for a review point before processing a large catalogue.
Keep an organised record of filenames and product identifiers. A beautiful set of images is more useful when your team can match each file to the right item.