Good product photos start with good prep. Whether you're shooting lipstick tubes, t-shirts, or sunglasses, how those items look before the camera clicks makes all the difference. Getting product shots in Los Angeles that actually capture your brand means every item has to show up shoot-ready. No wrinkles, no smudges, no missing pieces. Just the product, presented clearly and confidently, like it's ready to sit on a virtual shelf.
By the time November rolls around in Los Angeles, shoots are picking up for holiday promotions and new year launches. That makes now a smart time to prepare your products so they’re ready to go as soon as they land in front of the camera. If you're not sure how to prep your items, you'll want to follow a few simple steps that can help make sure your products look their best, save shoot time, and avoid delays.
Clean And Polish Your Products
Your product should look brand-new and photo-ready when it arrives at the studio. Anything that looks even slightly dirty, dusty, or worn can end up standing out in the final photo. That means smudges on a mirror compact, lint on a black tee, or fingerprints on a serum bottle will all need to be fixed or edited out, which takes extra time. It’s faster to just clean things properly beforehand.
Here are some easy ways to prep common items:
- Clothing: Use a lint roller or fabric brush on darker items. Steam or iron carefully to remove creases, but let them cool completely before packing to avoid moisture marks. Check seams and hems for threads sticking out.
- Cosmetic products: Wipe the outside and cap with a soft cloth. Get into the edges of labels to remove dust or buildup. Use glass cleaner very lightly on clear plastic or glass packaging, but make sure it’s completely dry before storing.
- Accessories: Polish metal parts like buckles or zippers. Clean off makeup or powder from straps or details. Pay attention to areas that catch light easily since these are usually what show up first in the final image.
- Multicolor packaging or high-gloss surfaces: These grab light quickly, so give them a once-over with a microfiber cloth before packing to avoid smears or lens glare during the shoot.
If you're dealing with items that get scuffed easily, like matte lipstick tubes or white sneakers, wrap them in clean tissue and avoid placing anything heavy on top. If something looks off before it's photographed, chances are it'll look even more off in the photo. Clean is always better than fixing things in post-production.
Ensure Proper Labeling And Unboxing
Even tiny stickers or tags can get in the way of a great product photo. That "for display only" sticker draws the eye immediately. Having faded tags, old price labels, or security seals still attached makes a product look incomplete or reused. These details can take a good photo and make it feel sloppy in an instant.
Before packing your products for a shoot:
1. Remove all extra labels, stickers, tags, or barcodes that won’t be visible to the customer online.
2. Keep original branding intact, especially for cosmetics and skincare. Let the logo and colors shine through without distractions.
3. If your product comes in outer packaging, open it carefully and remove any packing paper or inserts unless they’ll be shown in the final shots.
4. Watch out for glue marks from stickers or tags. Use gentle sticker removal products or warm water and soap to clean them off.
If the product’s final photo needs to reflect what the buyer receives, double-check that what you're sending looks like it’ll arrive to them the same way. That means sealed caps tightened, clothing folded correctly, and accessories hooked or fastened the way the end customer would find them.
A good example: If you're sending in a skincare bottle that comes with both a closed cap and a pump option, make sure to include both, packaged cleanly and together. That way, the shoot team doesn't have to guess what parts go together or risk taking photos that leave out important product features.
Presentation during prep directly affects presentation in the photo. Don't leave it to chance. It's easier to send it right than to fix it later.
Organize Accessories And Props
Props and accessories can add polish to a shot, but only when they’re chosen and organized with care. Loose belts, missing zippers, or jumbled pairs of earrings can create delays and distractions during a shoot. Small parts can get lost in transit or slow down the team if they aren't sorted properly ahead of time.
One of the easiest ways to keep product shoots smooth is to prep supporting pieces so they’re ready right out of the box. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple steps like packaging items together and clearly labeling parts will help everything stay on track when cameras start rolling.
Tips for keeping accessories and props photo-ready:
- If you're photographing items that come in sets, like necklace and bracelet combos, rubber band or bag them together.
- For individual accessories like hats, sunglasses, or scarves, pack each piece in its own protective wrap and label if needed.
- Try to avoid tangled cords or unbuckled straps by pairing each item with a fastener, clip, or tie during packing.
- If you're providing background props for branding, like makeup brushes next to foundation, group them by product type and label the set clearly.
Think of the prep process like packing for an organized drawer. The cleaner and more sorted each part is, the faster it's ready to go and the better it’ll look on camera. It’s a big help to your photographer and keeps your products looking put-together and intentional in every shot.
Plan For Different Angles And Views
Getting the right product shots in Los Angeles usually means showing your item from more than one angle. Shoppers want to see the front, back, and even the inside if it makes sense. So sending your items ready for all those views helps the photography team do a better job showcasing each feature.
If you haven’t already picked out the angles you want, now is a good time to think it through. That could mean including a top-down view of an open bag or making sure a hoodie’s logo on the sleeve is visible when the model lifts their arm. Every brand wants something a little different, but the goal stays the same. Give whoever’s planning the shoot everything they need to tell the full visual story.
Before sending your products off, ask:
- Should the packaging be opened or left sealed for photography?
- Are there key elements that need to be captured like labels, patterns, interior details, or built-in functions?
- Do you want the item shown in use, like a hand holding the serum bottle, or just against a plain background from several sides?
- Is there more than one color or version of this item that should be shot?
One client once sent a pair of earrings with detachable backs, asking to highlight the detail. The team was able to show both the assembled product and its standalone parts because those pieces were packed and labeled ahead of time. A little prep before shipping can make a huge difference in how many variations are properly captured and how quickly the shoot moves along.
How Small Steps Make a Big Impact
By the time your item is sitting under studio lights, the prep work is mostly invisible, but the result is clear. From clothing that lays flat without wrinkles to makeup containers that gleam without a smudge, what you do before shipping shows up in every final image. Skipping prep might not ruin a shoot, but great prep can take it from average to brand-defining.
Most of these steps are small. A lint roller, a label removed, or a grouped set of props may not seem like much, but together, they shape how your product appears online. Product shots in Los Angeles are often working on tight schedules, especially heading into the holidays or product launches, and showing up prepared helps your shoot team keep things moving. It keeps your visuals on brand, on time, and ready for any channel you plan to use.
To make sure your products are ready for their moment in the spotlight, consider how the right prep can enhance the look and feel of your items in every shot. From keeping dust at bay to perfecting presentation, each step brings you closer to capturing those perfect images. Explore how Four x Five can assist with product shots in Los Angeles for a seamless and effective photography experience.
