Top 5 Common E-Commerce Photoshoot Mistakes to Avoid

As a creative production company that handles multiple shoots daily, we get to witness (and are part of) a ton of successful shoots! That said, we also see a lot of avoidable mistakes that can derail a shoot’s success. To help steer clear of these pitfalls, our production team has compiled a list of the top 5 common e-commerce photoshoot mistakes brands make.? Avoiding these can significantly boost your productivity and shoot outcomes!

#1. Insufficient Pre-Production Time: “We’ll just wing it!”

As the saying goes, "Failing to plan is planning to fail." Even the most promising e-commerce photoshoot can quickly go off course without proper pre-production planning. We see This scenario all too often: the need for assets is identified, and a shoot is scheduled, but key details are overlooked or under-planned.

Common Mistakes:

1. No Clear Creative Direction: Teams jump into the shoot without a well-defined concept or lighting direction, leading to confusion on set and extra time in the morning wasted on experimentation.?
2. Lack of a Detailed Shot List: Without a comprehensive shot list, crucial images can be missed, resulting in costly reshoots or subpar content.
3. Overlooking Cross-Functional Needs: Marketing, e-commerce, and social media teams often have different requirements. If these are not consolidated and planned for, it can lead to missing key shots or miscommunication.

How to Avoid This Mistake: Allocate ample time for pre-production, no matter how tight the deadline. Start by creating a detailed shot list with all necessary products, angles, and scenarios. Collaborate closely with all involved teams to consolidate cross-functional requests into a cohesive plan. Then, build a run-of-day schedule to ensure every team member knows their role and responsibilities on set. This preparation helps manage time efficiently, reduces on-set confusion, and ensures you capture everything needed.

#2. Sample Uncertainty: “Samples SHOULD arrive by tomorrow!”

Having the right samples on hand is crucial for a successful e-commerce photoshoot. Unfortunately, sample management is often one of the most overlooked aspects of pre-production. When samples arrive too close to the shoot day—or worse, don’t arrive at all—it can lead to a cascade of issues that compromise the entire shoot.

Common Mistakes:

1. Last-Minute Sample Deliveries: Samples arriving just before or even during the shoot leave no room for quality checks or contingency planning.
2. Incomplete or Incorrect Samples: Receiving an incomplete set of samples or items that don't match the creative brief can derail the shot list and force last-minute changes.
3. No Backup Plan for Missing Items: If a crucial sample is lost in transit or unavailable, there’s often no plan B, resulting in wasted time and increased costs.

How to Avoid This Mistake: Start sample management as early as possible, pushing the shoot date if there are concerns about samples arriving on time. Confirm that all items needed for the shoot are available, inspected, and approved at least a week in advance. Maintain constant communication with the brand or supplier to track the status of each sample and establish a contingency plan for any delays or issues. If a critical sample is unavailable, have similar alternatives ready to ensure the shoot can proceed without disruption. This proactive approach will minimize stress and keep your production on track.

#3. Underestimating the importance of a Style-out: “The stylist can create the looks on set.”

Styling is a critical component of any photo shoot, particularly when working with larger collections or complex products like apparel, accessories, or home goods. Rushing through or skipping a style-out session can result in inefficient on-set adjustments and a lack of cohesion in the final visuals.

Common Mistakes:

1. Lack of Pre-Approved Looks: Without pre-approved outfits or product arrangements, the stylist is left to make decisions on set, which can lead to confusion, inconsistency, and delays.
2. Ignoring Brand Guidelines: Missing a style-out session often means bypassing crucial conversations about brand adjacencies, preferred pairings, or styling do’s and don’ts. This can result in misaligned visuals that don’t reflect the brand’s image.
3. Wasting Time on Set: It slows down the shoot if the stylist has to try different options on the model in real-time. In addition, it puts pressure on everyone to "make it work" under tight time constraints.

How to Avoid This Mistake: Schedule a style-out session well before the shoot. This dedicated time allows the stylist and brand team to review every look or arrangement, ensuring it aligns with brand standards and the creative vision. Use this session to document each look thoroughly, noting any adjustments or alternatives that can be made on set if needed. This preparation ensures that once the shoot begins, the stylist can execute the pre-approved looks swiftly and confidently, saving valuable time and maintaining consistency across all visuals.

Learn about the critical role of styling in crafting your brand's narrative.?

#4. Over-Reliance on Retouching: “We’ll fix it in post!”

Retouching is a powerful tool, but relying on it as a crutch can lead to unnecessary costs and compromised image quality. While it's tempting to assume that every imperfection can be corrected later, this mindset can create a host of problems that are better addressed on set.

Common Mistakes:

1. Avoiding Simple Fixes on Set: Minor issues like stray hairs, garment wrinkles, or unbalanced lighting are often ignored, assuming they can be fixed in post-production. This can lead to significant retouching time and costs.
2. Compromising Natural Look: Over-editing can result in images that look artificial or unrealistic, distancing the brand from an authentic representation of its products.
3. Underestimating Time and Cost: Heavy retouching not only increases production timelines but also adds to the budget, especially when multiple images need extensive adjustments.

How to Avoid This Mistake: Focus on getting the best possible image in-camera. Prioritize on-set fixes for elements that are easily adjustable, like product placement, styling tweaks, and lighting adjustments. Use retouching for what it’s best at—polishing the final image and correcting minor details—rather than as a solution for major issues. If something feels off, consult the photographer or art director to decide whether it’s better to fix it on set or save it for post-production. For instance, 5 minutes it takes to iron out a wrinkle on-set might not be worth it, when retouching can fix it in 30 seconds. This balanced approach will streamline your workflow and result in more authentic, high-quality images.

#5 Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen (aka No Art Director): “Let’s bring the whole team.”

A successful photo shoot requires clear leadership and decision-making. Often, brands either undervalue the role of an art director or overpopulate the set with decision-makers, leading to confusion and inefficiency. Both scenarios can significantly hinder the shoot’s success.

Common Mistakes:

1. No Central Decision-Maker: Without an art director, teams lack a unified vision and often find themselves making decisions reactively on set, or spending a lot of time going back and forth between different parties that need to weigh in. This lack of ownership can result in inconsistent visuals and wasted time.
2. Overcrowded Set: Bringing too many people to set can lead to conflicting opinions and decision fatigue. This not only slows down the process but also creates tension, which can be distracting and unproductive.
3. Inconsistent Creative Direction: Multiple people giving conflicting input on everything from shot composition to styling can derail the shoot and result in an inconsistent final product.

How to Avoid This Mistake: Appoint a dedicated art director to oversee the shoot. This person should be well-versed in the brand’s vision and empowered to make final decisions on creative direction. Limit the number of decision-makers on set to avoid confusion and ensure a streamlined process. Designate specific times for team reviews and feedback if additional input is necessary, rather than allowing constant interruptions. This approach keeps the shoot focused and efficient, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality outcome.

By avoiding these common e-commerce photoshoot mistakes, you can ensure a more productive, efficient, and cost-effective shoot. Remember, preparation and the right team on set are key to capturing the perfect shots!

Read Next: Explore the balance between high-production and low-production content for authentic visuals.