Product Photography Workflow

By creavio Team April 10, 2026 1 views

Product Photography Workflow

Product photography is precision work. Brands need consistent lighting, angles, and backgrounds across dozens or hundreds of SKUs. The workflow is different from portrait or event work. It is project-based, detail-heavy, and often recurring.

Client Intake and Brief

When a brand reaches out, send a detailed questionnaire covering:

  • Product type and category
  • Number of SKUs to photograph
  • Shot types needed: hero, lifestyle, detail, 360-degree, flat lay, model
  • Background requirements (pure white, contextual, branded)
  • Image specifications: dimensions, file format, color profile, DPI
  • Platform requirements (Amazon has different specs than Shopify)
  • Mood board or brand guidelines
  • Product shipping details (are they sending samples or do you pick up?)

This brief becomes the project spec. Reference it throughout the shoot and delivery.

Shot List Creation

Build a detailed shot list from the brief. For each SKU, define:

  • Angles: front, back, side, top, 45-degree, detail close-ups
  • Variations: color options, size comparisons, packaging
  • Lifestyle context: product in use, styled scenes
  • Required vs. optional shots

Attach the shot list to the booking record in creavio. Check off shots during the session to track progress.

Pricing for Product Work

Product photography pricing models in creavio:

  • Per-image pricing: $25-75 per final edited image. Simple for clients to understand. Create a package with a base count and a per-image overage rate.
  • Per-SKU pricing: Flat rate per product ($100-300) regardless of image count. Better for complex products needing many angles.
  • Day rate: $1,500-3,500 per day for large catalogs. Invoice as a flat project fee.
  • Retainer: Monthly rate for brands with ongoing needs. See retainer agreements.

Delivery Specifications

E-commerce platforms have specific requirements. Configure your Collection downloads accordingly:

  • Amazon: 2000x2000px minimum, pure white (#FFFFFF) background, JPEG, sRGB
  • Shopify: 2048x2048px square, any background, JPEG or PNG
  • Social media: 1080x1080px square, lifestyle or styled
  • Website/catalog: Full resolution, various aspect ratios

Deliver each format in a separate folder within the Collection. Label folders clearly: "Amazon-Ready," "Website," "Social."

File Naming Convention

Agree on naming before the shoot:

  • By SKU: SKU-001-front.jpg, SKU-001-detail.jpg
  • By product name: blue-widget-hero.jpg, blue-widget-lifestyle.jpg
  • Sequential: client-name-001.jpg through client-name-150.jpg

Consistent naming saves hours of back-and-forth after delivery.

Review and Revisions

Create the initial delivery as a Collection in Review mode. The client can leave comments on individual images ("brighten this," "crop tighter," "remove that shadow"). You revise and update the images in place.

After approval, switch the collection to Delivery mode with downloads enabled.

Ongoing Product Relationships

Product photography clients often need regular shoots as they release new products or update packaging. Set up a recurring workflow with quarterly check-ins and standing booking availability.