Lesson 4 of 6
Product photography and content
Learning objectives
- Plan the minimum shot list for launch
- Get product, lifestyle and detail covered
- Brief a photographer (or yourself) properly
- Build a content bank that lasts past launch week
The minimum shot list
Every product needs clean white-background packshots, front/back/detail shots, and at least two lifestyle scenes that show context and scale. For apparel, add on-model in motion. For supplements, add usage shots. For equipment, add gym and home contexts.
Brief before you shoot
Write a one-page brief: product list, shot list, models, locations, references, deliverables and usage rights. Photographers and videographers do better work from a clear brief than from a Pinterest board. If you are shooting yourself, the brief still saves you a re-shoot.
Shoot for the whole quarter
A launch shoot should also feed the next 8–12 weeks of organic content and ads. Plan vertical, square and horizontal crops, with and without text space. One day of focused shooting beats five days of catch-up content.
Founder insight — Derrick Twum
Bad photography kills good products. A clean, honest photo at the right angle outperforms a glossy shoot that hides the detail customers actually want to see.
Key takeaway
Plan a shot list, write a brief, and shoot enough to feed a full quarter of content — not just launch day.
Reflection questions
- 1What are your non-negotiable shots?
- 2Where will the lifestyle shots happen?
- 3How will this shoot feed your next 90 days?
Action task
Build a one-page shoot brief with shot list, models, locations and deliverables. Book the date.
Worksheet
Work through these prompts. Answers save to this device.
Answers are saved to this device only. Cloud sync coming soon.
Related MEM tools
- Background Remover
- Canva-style Templates
- AI Ad Creative Generator