High-quality visuals play a massive role in branding, marketing, and advertising. Whether you’re launching a new product, revamping your website, or promoting your brand across social media, the right imagery makes all the difference. But to truly get the best out of your collaboration with a commercial and advertising photographer, it’s important to know how to prepare, communicate, and make the most of the experience.
Let’s break down the key steps to working effectively with a professional so you walk away with images that elevate your brand.
1. Be Clear About Your Goals
Before reaching out to a London-based photographer or any professional in the UK, have a solid understanding of what you need. Are these images for a marketing campaign? A website refresh? Social media? Knowing where the visuals will be used helps shape the style, composition, and technical approach of the shoot.
If you have specific expectations, write them down. The more information you provide upfront, the easier it is for the expert to understand your vision and deliver what you’re looking for.
2. Share a Visual Reference or Mood Board
Sometimes, explaining what you want in words isn’t enough. One of the best ways to communicate your vision is by creating a mood board or sharing reference images. This can include colours, lighting, angles, or even the kind of emotions you want the visuals to evoke.
Platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, or even screenshots from previous campaigns work great. When the person behind the lens knows the style you’re after, they can plan accordingly to achieve the right look.
3. Trust the Process and Their Expertise
It’s tempting to try to control every detail of a session, but remember—you’ve hired a professional for a reason. These experts have years of experience capturing visuals that work in advertising, e-commerce, and branding. Be open to their suggestions on lighting, angles, and composition.
If something feels off or doesn’t align with your brand, communicate it. But also allow some flexibility—some of the best results come from spontaneous adjustments and creative input from the specialist handling the shoot.
4. Prepare Your Products, Team, or Space
If you’re shooting products, ensure they’re clean, polished, and camera-ready. For businesses featuring their team, let everyone know in advance so they can dress appropriately and feel comfortable in front of the lens.
If the session is happening in a store, office, or outdoor location, make sure it’s tidy and free from unnecessary distractions. Every small detail affects the outcome, so a bit of preparation goes a long way.
5. Be Involved Without Micromanaging
Your input is valuable, and staying engaged throughout the session ensures the images align with your brand. However, there’s a difference between giving direction and micromanaging every frame. The goal is to strike a balance—trusting the expert while offering feedback where necessary.
If you’re unsure about something, ask. They are there to make sure you walk away with material that fits your marketing and advertising needs.
6. Think Long-Term and Ask for Different Variations
A well-planned shoot can provide content beyond what you initially intended. Ask for different angles, close-ups, and wide shots that can be used across various platforms. This not only maximizes the value of your investment but also gives you flexibility in future campaigns.
If possible, discuss retouching options in advance. Some commercial and advertising photographers in London include post-production in their pricing, while others charge separately. Knowing what’s included ensures there are no surprises later.
7. Discuss Usage Rights and Deliverables in Advance
Before finalizing the deal, clarify how the images can be used. Some professionals have restrictions on commercial usage or may charge extra for full rights. Make sure you get high-resolution images that fit your specific needs, whether it’s for print, online advertising, or both.
Also, set clear expectations on delivery timelines. Knowing when you’ll receive the final images helps you plan your campaigns effectively.
Working with a professional photographer in the UK should feel like a partnership. When both sides communicate well, prepare properly, and trust each other’s expertise, the results are nothing short of incredible.
What to expect from a professional commercial/advertising photography session?
If you’ve never booked a commercial photography session before, it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what happens on the day. Whether you’re capturing advertising visuals for your brand, high-quality shots for your website, or promotional material for social media, working with a professional photographer ensures you get images that truly represent your business. But what exactly happens in a session like this?
Let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect and can make the most of your experience.
1. Planning and Pre-Session Discussions
Long before the camera is even picked up, a successful session starts with preparation. Once you’ve booked your shoot, the first step usually involves discussing what you need. This could be over a call, email, or in-person meeting.
At this stage, you’ll talk about:
The purpose of the images (for marketing, website, packaging, etc.)
The style and mood you want
Any specific shots or angles you need
Where and how the photos will be used
A well-planned session ensures that everything runs smoothly on the day. Whether you’re shooting luxury products like premium shoes, clothing, or interiors, having a clear vision makes all the difference.
2. Setting Up the Location
On the day of the shoot, the first thing that happens is getting the space ready. If it’s in a studio, lighting and backdrops will be adjusted to fit the aesthetic you’re going for. If you’re using an on-location setting—whether it’s a showroom, retail space, or outdoor venue—the photographer will assess the surroundings to find the best angles and lighting conditions.
If you’re featuring high-end products, these will need to be arranged properly to look appealing in the final shots. Wrinkles, creases, or clutter can take away from the overall look, so a little preparation here is key.
3. The Photography Process
Once everything is set, the actual photo session begins. This is where the expert you’ve hired works their magic, capturing different angles, compositions, and lighting setups to ensure you get a variety of images to choose from.
You may be asked for feedback as the shoot progresses. Some professionals will show you previews so you can give input and tweak things as needed. This ensures you’re happy with the direction things are going in.
For advertising campaigns, multiple versions of a single shot may be taken to give you flexibility in how the images are used across print, digital, and social media.
4. Post-Production and Editing
Once the shoot is over, the next step is retouching. This is where minor imperfections are corrected, lighting is adjusted, and any necessary refinements are made to ensure the photos look polished and professional.
Turnaround times vary, so it’s always good to discuss this beforehand. Some projects require a quick turnaround, while others take longer, depending on the level of post-processing needed.
5. Receiving Your Final Images
When your edited photos are ready, you’ll typically receive them in a format suited for different platforms—high-resolution versions for print, optimized files for websites, and possibly social media-ready versions.
If you’re using these for branding and advertising, having a mix of close-ups, lifestyle shots, and product-focused images gives you a strong selection to work with.
How to prepare for a successful commercial/advertising photoshoot?
Now if you're planning a commercial photoshoot, you want to get the most out of it.
Whether you're showcasing luxury products like premium make-up products, launching a new campaign, or updating your brand imagery, proper preparation is the key to capturing the best visuals. A well-organized session ensures everything runs smoothly, saves time, and delivers stunning images that elevate your advertising efforts.
Having worked on numerous shoots, I can tell you that a little planning makes all the difference. So, if you're wondering how to prepare for a successful session, here’s what you need to know.
1. Define Your Goals and Vision
Before anything else, be clear about what you want to achieve. Are you shooting for a website update, a social media campaign, or print materials? Each platform has different requirements, and knowing this in advance helps in planning.
It’s also useful to gather inspiration. Look at branding photos from similar businesses, create a mood board, or even list the specific shots you need. This will help communicate your ideas to the professional capturing the images, ensuring you're both on the same page.
2. Choose the Right Location
Where your session takes place makes a huge impact. A studio setup gives you complete control over lighting, while an on-location shoot—whether in a showroom, home setting, or outdoor space—adds a natural touch.
If your business is based in London or elsewhere in the UK, consider spaces that reflect your brand’s identity. For luxury products, a well-styled interior could enhance the richness of the materials. If you’re highlighting craftsmanship, a behind-the-scenes setting might be ideal.
3. Get Your Products or Space Ready
If you’re featuring items like clothing, home accessories, or fashion pieces, they should be in perfect condition. Steam or press fabrics to remove any creases, check for any marks or imperfections, and have backups just in case.
For lifestyle or interior shots, styling is key. Think about how the surroundings complement what you're promoting. A well-prepared setting ensures the images look polished and professional.
4. Plan Wardrobe and Styling
If people will be in the session, whether models or team members, make sure their outfits match the overall look you want. For corporate branding, sleek and neutral tones work well, while lifestyle campaigns allow for more creativity.
For a more polished look, consider hiring a stylist, makeup artist, or hair expert. Small details like well-groomed hands for product shots or natural makeup for lifestyle portraits can make a big difference.
5. Discuss the Shot List and Details in Advance
Time on set is valuable, so having a clear shot list avoids unnecessary delays. Break it down by priority—must-have shots first, then additional creative angles.
It’s also worth discussing composition. Do you need close-ups? Flat lays? Wide shots? The more specific you are, the more efficient the process will be.
6. Be Flexible but Stay Organized
Even with a solid plan, things don’t always go exactly as expected. Lighting changes, unexpected reflections, or last-minute styling tweaks can happen.
A well-prepared commercial photoshoot saves time, reduces stress, and ensures you get the highest-quality images for your advertising and marketing needs. By setting clear goals, choosing the right space, and ensuring everything is ready to go, you’ll walk away with visuals that strengthen your brand and attract the right audience.
Who is Stuart Bailey?
Stuart Bailey is a commercial and advertising photographer based in London, specializing in commercial, advertising, retail, lifestyle, and event photography. With years of experience working with businesses, professionals, and brands, Stuart’s photography is known for its clean, authentic, and engaging style. He works closely with clients to create high-quality, impactful images that enhance their personal and professional presence.
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