Keep these in mind
The essentials, at a glance.
Plan the job of each photograph
Prepare subjects and placements
Agree selection and delivery needs
Decide where the photographs will be used
Product photography should help people understand what they are considering. A clean catalogue image explains shape and colour. A detail shot can show a finish or fastening. A lifestyle scene can show scale and context. Choose the images around those jobs rather than asking for a large number of photographs without a plan.
List the destinations before the shoot: product pages, category banners, social posts, printed material or retailer submissions. Each may need different crops, backgrounds and space for text. Check the actual requirements of the platforms you use and share them with the photographer before the shot list is approved.
Create a product inventory
Record each product and variant with a clear identifier. Include size, colour, packaging and the number of samples available. If similar items differ in small details, label them carefully so the correct image reaches the correct product page.
Prepare the best available samples. Check for scratches, fingerprints, damaged packaging, missing parts and uneven labels. Retouching should not be treated as a substitute for preparing the product. If the image represents an item for sale, it should remain faithful to that item.
Bring replacements where possible, especially for fragile packaging or items that change during handling. Nominate someone who can answer product questions during the session. Small uncertainties about which surface faces forward or which accessory belongs in a shot can interrupt an otherwise straightforward setup.
Choose the angles that answer buying questions
Build a consistent core set across the range. Depending on the product, that might include a main view, reverse view, useful detail, packaging and a scale reference. Do not add angles simply to reach a fixed image count. Ask what the customer still cannot understand after seeing the first photograph.
For clothing, plan the fit, preparation and presentation method. For reflective objects, allow time to control reflections. For food, organise preparation and serving so the item can be photographed at its best. These are different production tasks and should be reflected in the brief.
If lifestyle scenes are needed, agree the setting, props, people and visual references in advance. A simple approved reference board can establish the desired mood without asking the photographer to copy another brand’s work.
Agree what editing includes
Clarify background treatment, colour consistency, dust cleanup and the level of retouching. Ask how colour approval will be handled when colour is a material buying decision. Screens and viewing conditions differ, so discuss a practical reference process rather than assuming every device will display an identical result.
Confirm the selection process, final image count and whether alternate crops count as separate deliverables. Agree file types, pixel dimensions, naming and the intended usage. Keep an original delivery set and create smaller working copies for everyday publishing when appropriate.
Plan the website handover
Give each product image a useful filename tied to the item. On the website, write alternative text that describes the relevant image in context. Avoid repeating a string of Dubai photography keywords on every photograph. The description should help someone who cannot see that image understand what matters about it.
Check the images inside the real product-page layout. A technically good photograph can still crop badly in a small card. Test the main product image, gallery and mobile layout before uploading the whole collection.
Common questions
Should every product use a white background? Use the requirements of your store and sales channels to decide. A consistent catalogue set can be supported by separate lifestyle images.
Can photography and video happen together? They can be planned together, but lighting, movement and framing may need separate setups. Include both in the schedule from the start.
How many images do we need? Enough to answer the meaningful buying questions. Product complexity and the intended sales channels matter more than a universal number.
See ABAB’s photography services in Dubai or send your product list and intended image uses to start a practical brief.
Have a project taking shape?
Explore photography with ABAB, or bring your questions to a project conversation. We will help define the next useful step.
