Studio practice
What to put in a product photography brief for a Bristol studio
A Bristol maker sending six candle tins to a studio can ask for “a few nice pictures” and receive quotes for completely different jobs. Write down what arrives, what needs photographing and what files must come back. That gives photographers a common brief to price.
Count the physical samples
List the six scent names and their SKU labels. Note which tins have matte lids and which have a reflective finish. Pack a clean spare label and tell the studio which sample may be opened for a detail shot.
Translate uses into a shot count
Six front views plus six open-lid views make twelve packshots. One group photograph brings the total to thirteen. List the group separately because arranging six objects takes different work from repeating one view with the same camera setup.
Show the desired reflection
Take a quick phone reference of the real lid under a window. Mark the broad reflection you want to keep. A photographer can tell from that reference whether the problem is a dent, a label flaw or simply the way polished metal reflects the room.
Separate the styling request
A clean background for a marketplace listing and a styled hero image for the homepage have different set requirements. Ask for both as distinct deliverables if you need them. The Bristol studio portfolio linked below illustrates these categories of work.
Agree the handover in advance
Specify the filename for each SKU, intended crops and whether the background needs transparency. Ask how the samples get to the studio and who arranges collection afterwards. Include the product launch date and a named contact for decisions on the shoot.
Approve one before the other five
Ask to review one front view at the intended listing size. Check lid glare, label legibility and the space around the tin. Once those are right, use that file as the reference for the other scents and sign off the group shot separately.
Continue with the shoot estimate
Estimate the cost of accepted shots and revisions using the quantities in your studio brief.