Two women in a salon or studio setting, one holding a camera and the other sitting on a bench, reflected in a large mirror. The background features a black and white mural on the wall and a plant.

Your Product Photo Checklist

A white wedding cake with a brown ribbon bow on the side, partially cut, resting on a white cake stand. Scattered instant photographs on a marble surface nearby, with a pink and beige striped wall in the background.

A simple photo plan for product-based businesses
so you’re not overthinking it (and actually use what you take)

You don’t need more photos.

You need photos you actually know how to use.

And right now, the reason it feels hard isn’t because you’re doing it wrong…
it’s because no one has ever shown you what to take or why it matters.

So this is your starting point.

Not a full content day.
Not a Pinterest board you’ll never look at again.

Just a simple plan that gives you a mix of photos you can use across your website, socials, emails… all of it.

Fresh basil, a bunch of cherry tomatoes on the vine, garlic bulbs, a sprig of thyme, a packet of protein powder labeled 'The Nourish Market', a black coffee container, and a plastic container of red tomatoes on a white marble kitchen counter.

The Goal

Before you start taking photos, this is the one thing to keep in mind:

You’re not just taking pictures of your product.

You’re building a small library of images that help people:

  • understand what you sell

  • picture themselves using it

  • and trust the actual human behind it

That’s the difference between random photos… and photos you’ll actually use.

What to Shoot

A jar labeled 'Digestive Aid' and a small bowl of dried herbs on a white surface against a pink speckled background.

These are your anchor images.

  • Clean, simple background

  • Product clearly visible

  • Think: website, product page, first impression

👉 If someone landed on your page, this is the photo that explains what you sell in 2 seconds.

  1. The “this is my product photo:

2. The Details

This is where people start paying attention.

  • Close-ups of texture, ingredients, packaging

  • Different angles

  • Imperfections are okay

👉 These are the photos that make your product feel real.

Woman smiling and holding a fork with a pancake in a bright kitchen with white cabinets, a vase of pink tulips, and bowls of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries on the counter.
A woman with long brown hair, glasses, and a blue dress smiling while sewing colorful fabric at a wooden table with sewing supplies, in a room with white wooden paneling and a green plant in the background.

3.The “In Use” Shot

This is what actually helps people buy.

  • Hands using the product

  • Pouring, opening, applying, interacting

  • Real-life setting (nothing overly staged)

👉 This is where someone can imagine themselves using it

4.The Human Behind the Brand

This is what builds trust.

  • Packing orders

  • Making or prepping your product

  • Your workspace

👉 This is what shows there’s a real person behind the business.

If this gave you a bit more clarity but you’re still feeling like “I don’t have time for this”

that’s exactly why I offer done-for-you brand sessions.

I’m offering $100 off for Charlotte’s girlies if you want support planning it all out. Just fill out the quick form below!

Or you can come hang out with me on 👉Instagram — lots more simple ideas over there.

If you want to chat about how brand photos can support your business

Hi! Nice to meet you, I’m Alana. I work with business owners to create beautiful, branded photos they can’t wait to share across their website, social media, and marketing.

Fill out this quick form and I’ll get back to you within 1-3 business days.