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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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