Photoshoots 101

The Art of Setting Up a Photo Shoot: My Do’s, Don’ts, and What I’ve Learned Along the Way

There’s something about a photo shoot that gets me every time. The planning, the excitement, the pressure to get that perfect shot—it’s all part of the creative whirlwind. But let’s be real: setting up a photo shoot, especially one for e-commerce or advertising, is no easy feat. It’s taken me a while to figure out what works, and what doesn’t. So, after countless shoots and a lot of lessons learned, I wanted to share my thoughts on how I approach things now—the do’s, the don’ts, and what I’ve found works best depending on the type of shoot.

Do: Start with a Concept (And Stick to It)

I’ve learned that everything starts with a clear concept. Every shoot, whether it’s for e-commerce or advertising, needs a vision. If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos of all the details. I usually find myself daydreaming about the vibe I want—do I want a super clean, minimalist approach, or something a little more moody and dramatic?

For e-commerce, the focus is almost always product-driven. The idea is to showcase the item clearly and enticingly, but you also want it to feel natural. In advertising, though, the concept can go a bit deeper. You’re telling a story, creating a mood, and building something with emotional impact. It’s all about imagining how people will feel when they see the final image.

Don’t: Forget Your Shot List

Trust me on this one—nothing makes a photo shoot go off the rails like forgetting the shot list. I learned this the hard way when I once found myself scrambling mid-shoot, trying to figure out if I’d captured everything I needed. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. So now, I swear by my shot list. Even for an e-commerce shoot, where the focus is simpler, I create a list to make sure I get all the angles, close-ups, and necessary details covered.

When I’m working on a larger campaign, I’ll often storyboard the shots too, even if it’s just rough sketches. That way, I don’t miss anything important, and I keep the whole shoot organized and efficient.

Do: Let Lighting Work Its Magic

Ah, lighting—the unsung hero of every shoot. When I first started out, I didn’t fully appreciate how crucial lighting is. I’d think, "Oh, just point the light here and we’re good!" Wrong. Professional lighting really makes a difference, especially when you're shooting products for e-commerce. You want the product to look its best, not to mention to capture all the details clearly. Soft, diffused light helps minimize shadows, making the item look crisp and well-defined.

But for advertising, lighting is where you can get a little creative. I’ve played around with harsh shadows, backlighting, and dramatic contrasts to add mood to the shots. It’s amazing how light can transform a simple scene into something that tells a compelling story.

Don’t: Overcomplicate the Background

For a while, I thought fancy backgrounds were key to making a photo look polished. I wanted elaborate setups, but I quickly realized that when it comes to e-commerce, the product should be the star. A clean, simple background lets the item speak for itself. I usually stick to white or neutral tones to avoid distracting from the product. The focus should be on the details, the fit, and the quality of the item.

In contrast, with advertising or editorial work, I’ve learned that the background can be just as important as the product. Whether it’s a colorful wall or a location shoot with lots of textures, it’s all about enhancing the mood and telling the story. I’ve had so much fun experimenting with this over the years.

Do: Focus on Composition

I can’t stress enough how important composition is, especially when it comes to capturing those perfect moments. For e-commerce, you need to keep things straightforward—tight framing on the product, and angles that highlight its best features. I’ll usually shoot close-ups to show texture, fit, and scale.

But for advertising, composition gives you room to play. I’ve found myself framing shots in unique ways, cropping out certain elements to make the product stand out more, or playing with symmetry and asymmetry to create visual interest. Sometimes I even go for unusual angles just to see what works—who knows what could end up as your next favorite shot?

Don’t: Neglect the Model (Or the Product’s Story)

Here’s a biggie: whether you’re shooting with a model or just the product, the goal is always to tell a story. When I’m working with models, I think about how their expression and posture can bring life to the image. In fashion or lifestyle advertising, I need the model to reflect the brand’s personality and connect with the story. For e-commerce, I’ll make sure the model’s pose highlights the product’s fit and style without taking away from its details.

And if I’m shooting just the product? I’ll focus on positioning it in ways that tell its own story. A pair of shoes? Show how they look from all angles. A handbag? Capture its texture and how it looks in different light. It’s all about making the item relatable to the audience.

Do: Plan for Post-Production

Okay, I have to admit, post-production is my favorite part. This is where all the magic happens. After the shoot is done, I’ll head into editing to make sure the colors pop, the details are crisp, and everything looks polished. For e-commerce, it’s all about accuracy—nothing too overdone, just a clean, true-to-life representation of the product.

When I’m working on an advertising or editorial shoot, post-production is where I can get creative. I’ve played with color grading, added textures, and even removed small distractions to create the perfect shot. It’s like sculpting an image to get it just right.

Don’t: Forget Platform Adaptation

I’ve learned the hard way that what works on a website doesn’t always work on Instagram or in print. E-commerce sites often require specific dimensions, so I always make sure I have the right format in mind. Social media? That’s a whole different beast. Square and vertical formats are key, and the images often need to stand out in a crowded feed. It’s essential to adjust your shooting style depending on where the image will live.

Wrapping Up:

Setting up a photo shoot is a mix of preparation, creativity, and a bit of trial and error. The more you shoot, the more you learn what works for you, and what doesn’t. Whether I’m shooting products for e-commerce or crafting a visual story for an advertising campaign, it’s always about finding the right balance between the product and the narrative. With the right preparation, lighting, and composition, a great photo shoot can turn an idea into something magical.

Here’s to more shoots, more lessons, and of course, the perfect shot every time.

:)