As a business owner, you know that great product photography can make or break your brand. But how can you make sure you’re working effectively with your photographer to get the best possible images? It’s all about collaboration.

In this post, I’m going to show you how to work closely with your photographer to ensure the end results exceed your expectations.

1. Be Clear About Your Vision

Before the shoot, share your ideas. What kind of look are you going for? Do you have a specific mood or theme in mind? The more you communicate your vision, the better your photographer can deliver results that align with your brand’s identity.

Create a Moodboard: If you’re not sure how to describe your vision, a moodboard with inspiration images can be really helpful.
Discuss Your Product’s Best Features: Point out the features of your product that you want to highlight. For example, if you're selling a luxury cannabis brand, you might want to focus on the textures, packaging, or unique branding.

2. Be Open to the Photographer’s Expertise

While it’s great to have an idea of what you want, remember your photographer is the expert in bringing your ideas to life. Trust their creative process and technical know-how. They may suggest things like lighting adjustments, angles, or props that can elevate your product shots.

Ask for Advice: Don’t hesitate to ask for suggestions during the planning process.
Consider Their Experience: A seasoned photographer has likely shot a variety of products and understands what works best in terms of visuals and composition.

3. Share Your Brand’s Story and Values

Your product photography should tell a story that connects with your audience. A great photographer will be able to incorporate your brand’s values into each shot, making the images more impactful. Whether it’s a focus on sustainability, luxury, or innovation, make sure your photographer knows what makes your brand unique.

Provide Brand Guidelines: Share your brand’s color palette, logo, and overall style guide. This ensures consistency across all your marketing materials.
Communicate Your Goals: Are you aiming for high-conversion e-commerce shots or eye-catching creative images for social media? Clarify your objectives so the shoot can align with your marketing plan.

4. Set Realistic Expectations

While it’s tempting to aim for perfection, remember that some aspects of product photography may take time to get just right. Be realistic about timelines and budgets. Understand that the photographer might need to shoot multiple angles, lighting setups, and product variations to get the perfect image.

Be Patient: Good photography is a process. Allow time for the creative team to perfect each shot.
Plan for Revisions: Depending on the project, you might need to tweak a few things. Clear communication about changes will make the revision process smoother.

5. Provide Constructive Feedback

After the shoot, it’s important to give your photographer feedback. Let them know what you love and what could be adjusted. Constructive criticism helps the photographer refine the images to match your needs.

Be Specific: Instead of saying, “This doesn’t look right,” explain what you’d like to change—like the lighting, composition, or color balance.
Focus on the Big Picture: While minor adjustments are part of the process, keep your feedback focused on how the photos fit your overall branding and marketing goals.

6. Build a Long-Term Relationship

Building a long-term partnership with your photographer means you won’t have to start from scratch every time you need new images. Once your photographer understands your brand’s vision and values, they’ll be able to deliver even better results over time.

Stay in Touch: Keep the lines of communication open between shoots. Share your upcoming product launches, campaigns, or ideas with your photographer so they’re always in the loop.
Evaluate the Results: After each shoot, review the images and evaluate how well they support your goals. This allows for better planning in the future.

Summary in 3 Key Points:

Sharing your vision and product goals upfront leads to better results and fewer revisions.
Trusting the professional advice and creative suggestions from your photographer results in higher-quality images.
Giving specific feedback and building a long-term relationship with your photographer ensures consistency and growth in your visual brand identity.

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to working with photographers? Let me know in the comments.

How to Collaborate with Your Photographer for the Best Results