A product photography checklist for ads

Which product shots help a shopper understand what is being sold?

Plan product photographs that make materials, scale and included items clear across mobile ad placements.

Start with a truthful shot list

Capture a clean product view, a close detail, a scale reference and a use-context image. For a ceramic planter, show the whole planter, its drainage detail and a size comparison with dimensions. If the plant is not included, make that distinction clear in the ad and on the product page.

Use a consistent camera angle and lighting when comparing variants; otherwise a lighting change may look like a material difference. Retouch dust or background distractions carefully, but do not edit a product feature into existence. Keep the original frame so your team can check later what was changed.

• Show what is included.
• Check colour and texture against the actual item.
• Leave enough room for the placement crop and text overlays.

Design for where the image appears

A wide product-on-table photograph might work on a landing page but lose the object when cropped for a tall placement. Make separate compositions rather than trusting an automatic crop. Meta’s Ads Guide publishes specifications by placement; Google’s asset guide separates image requirements by campaign and format. Check the selected placement at upload time instead of assuming one universal size.

Export a preview at phone width. Can someone recognise the product without zooming? If not, move closer, simplify the background or choose a different frame. Match the hero shot on the destination page to the product and variant pictured in the ad.

Four-frame photography contact sheet

Illustrative worked example, not a measured customer result. Replace assumptions with checked facts.

Common questions

Can I use lifestyle images only?

A lifestyle scene can provide context, but include a clear product view where the item, variant and what is included are not ambiguous.