Ultimate Guide to E-commerce Product Photography
If you’re running a clothing line, accessory brand, or online store, the “Ultimate Guide to E-commerce Product Photography” is your blueprint for creating powerful, sales-driven visuals. I’m Kristine Di Grigoli Paige—fashion catalogue and product photographer based in Philadelphia and London—and I love helping brands shine with crisp, creative images that drive online conversions. Whether you’re a boutique owner, a designer, or managing a large e-commerce site, I want to share everything I’ve learned to help you level up your product shoots, from planning to post-production.
Why Product Photography Matters
In today’s digital marketplace, your product photo is your first impression. The Ultimate Guide to E-commerce Product Photography is more than just a checklist—it's a step-by-step process that ensures every photo you create builds trust, tells a brand story, and makes people want to hit "add to cart." I've spent years shooting everything from fashion catalogs to lifestyle lookbooks, and I know how to make e-commerce photography both creative and conversion-focused.
Understanding E-commerce Product Photography
E-commerce vs. lifestyle/catalog photography
Buyer trust and clear images
Platform requirements: Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, and more
Planning Your Shoot
Defining goals (catalog, lookbook, campaign, social media)
Studio vs. on-location vs. hybrid
Building a shot list: hero images, detail shots, 360° views, flat lays
Moodboarding for brand voice
Prepping Your Products
Grooming: steaming, lint-rolling, shaping garments
Accessories, jewelry, pets (Nina, my dog model!)
Creating a prep checklist
Studio Setups and Lighting
Why lighting makes or breaks your shoot
My favorite setups for apparel, accessories, flat lay, ghost mannequin, and more
Budget vs. pro equipment
Choosing Your Photography Style
Ghost mannequin, flat lay, on-model, hanger
White backgrounds vs. lifestyle context
Storytelling with imagery
Essential Camera Settings & Gear
Cameras, lenses, tripods I recommend
Camera settings for sharp colors
Using props and backdrops
Shooting Day—Workflow Tips
Organizing workflow for speed and consistency
Collaborating with stylists, models, assistants
Keeping your team aligned
Post-Production & Retouching
Why retouching matters: skin, clothing, lint, product flaws
My editing approach: color correction, cropping, background clean-up
Tools: Photoshop, Lightroom, outsourcing
Optimizing for Online Shopping
Image sizing, compression for site speed
Naming conventions, ALT-text for SEO
Batch uploading and organizing galleries
E-commerce Photography Mistakes to Avoid
Common lighting, color, styling, and editing pitfalls
How bad images hurt sales—and how to fix them
Lifestyle & Lookbook Shoots for E-commerce
Blending e-commerce and editorial/lifestyle shots
Location scouting (Philly, London, and beyond)
Bringing in pets, personality, brand story
Working With Models and Agencies
How to source models (my partners at Phillyfaces.com, agency contacts)
Directing talent for a natural, on-brand vibe
Model releases and image rights
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
When to DIY, when to outsource
Choosing the right photographer or studio partner
Pricing & Packages—What’s Included?
What affects production cost (style, volume, retouching, talent, locations)
How to budget for ongoing product photography
Building Your Product Photography Team
Finding & managing stylists, hair/MUA, assistants, editors
Communicating vision and expectations
The “Ultimate Guide to E-commerce Product Photography” is designed to give you every tool and insight I use with brands across Philadelphia, London, and beyond. With the right planning and creativity, any product can stand out online. If you’re looking for a photographer—or just want to bounce ideas—I’d love to help you showcase your collection with clarity and personality.
Ready to shoot? Let’s collaborate, or check out more resources on my Services page for customized packages and creative consulting. Here’s to your best campaign yet!
