Do's and Don'ts
Do's and Don'ts Guide
Here are a few examples of things to avoid when shooting for Inspirational and Functional Location photography.
If unsure, consult a CT Content & Creative team member for guidance.
DO have talent separated from background.
DO NOT have talent and background compete.
DO show talent engaged in authentic moments.
DO NOT use overly cliché staged set ups.
DO capture natural actions.
DO NOT capture static moments.
DO use backlighting to enhance scenes while keeping merch visible.
DO NOT have merch in shadows.
DO show glow or sheen on skin.
DO NOT show excessive sweating.
DO have other talent in soft focus if needing to show group activities.
DO NOT show background talent in focus or through other talent.
DO show branding on details and closeups.
DO NOT over crop products.
DO use props to help give context to products.
DO NOT use props in unrelated ways.
DO show enough context to understand detail.
DO NOT crop limbs awkwardly.
DO show features and benefits, even if details are hidden.
DO NOT let the context or the product get lost.
DO show subtle wear on products when in natural environments.
DO NOT weather products to look too dirty or worn so that branding isn’t visible or product looks old.
DO capture talent aware of the camera while appearing engaged or confident in their stance or action.
DO NOT have talent look arrogant or have a dominant pose (looking down at) toward camera.
Retouching Do's and Don'ts
Here are a few examples of things to avoid when retouching Inspirational or Functional Location photography.
If unsure, consult a CT Content & Creative team member for guidance.
DO keep background elements clear of any unnecessary background or visual noise.
DO NOT have too many distracting background elements
DO crop into image to get best composition and product read.
DO NOT keep distracting elements in frame when not adding to overall image.
DO allow colourful merch to pop against backgrounds.
DO NOT over-saturate image colours.
Photo Categories
Inspirational Photography
Authentic moments and seasonal activities in natural environments. Go to Inspirational photography.
Functional Location Photography
Showcasing individual products in real-life settings. Go to Functional Location photography.
Functional Studio Photography
Showcasing individual products in a studio setting. Go to Functional Studio photography.
