Commissioning product photography for a small London business
Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026
Читать на русскомStart with the selling platform’s requirements
Before choosing a photographer, collect website or marketplace specifications: size, background, aspect ratio, image count, text restrictions and editing rules. Decide separately whether you need lifestyle scenes and vertical social-media assets.
Build a shot list covering overall views, details, scale, packaging, variants and use. Identify each product by SKU. One successful sample does not mean the entire range is included at the same price.
Check experience with the material
Glass, metal, jewellery, fabric and food need different lighting. Review comparable products, colour accuracy, texture and visible details. Ask how approval of the first image works.
Provide dimensions, quantities and references explaining what you like. Agree studio, location or shipping arrangements, packaging, damage responsibility and return delivery. For valuable or unique pieces, discuss insurance and a handover inventory.
Define scope and the complete cost
Separate preparation, styling, props, photography, background removal, retouching, versions and reshoots. Check minimum orders, VAT, travel, shipping and deadlines. A per-image price needs a definition of what counts as a separate image.
Order a small test when colour matching or a large series matters. Agree filenames, resolution, colour space, transparency where needed and revision numbers. Check the sample on the actual product page before approving the full series.
Usage rights and accuracy
The Intellectual Property Office explains commissioned-photograph rights ↗. Specify website, marketplace, social, advertising, print and retailer use in the agreement. Paying for files does not automatically transfer copyright.
Clarify raw files and the photographer’s portfolio use separately. Avoid editing important characteristics so buyers receive a different colour, scale or included set. Store the approved brief, licence and master files together. These allow future products to match the established lighting and angles without restarting the whole discussion.