The best product photography in the world cannot rescue poorly prepared products. Before your shoot day arrives at our Montreal studio, there is a set of preparation steps that will directly determine the quality, speed, and cost-efficiency of your session. This guide covers everything Montreal businesses need to know to prepare their products for a professional photo shoot — from cleaning and assembly to packaging, labelling, and shipping your items to our studio safely.
Why Product Preparation Matters More Than You Think
Most of the delays and added costs that brands experience on shoot day come down to one thing: products that aren’t ready to photograph. A scratch discovered under studio lights. A sticker residue that wasn’t visible in warehouse lighting. Packaging inserts that need to be reassembled. Components that weren’t included. Each of these discoveries on shoot day costs time — and in a professional photography studio, time is money. Worse, some issues can’t be fixed in post-production, meaning reshoots at full cost.
The preparation protocol below is what we share with every new client at Impression Photography in Montreal. Follow it carefully and your shoot day will run smoothly, efficiently, and with results you’ll be proud to use across every sales channel.
Step 1: Remove All Protective Films, Stickers, and Shrink Wrap
This seems obvious, but it’s one of the most common causes of delays on shoot day. Every piece of protective film, transit sticker, price tag, barcode label (unless it’s part of the final product), and shrink wrap must be removed before the product arrives at the studio. Under professional studio lighting, any film residue — even when it appears invisible to the naked eye — will show up as a milky, refractive layer that ruins an otherwise perfect shot.
Use isopropyl alcohol and a microfibre cloth to remove adhesive residue from stickers and labels. Test on an inconspicuous area first to ensure the solvent is safe for your product’s surface.
Step 2: Clean Every Surface Meticulously
Studio lighting reveals every fingerprint, dust particle, lint fibre, and microscopic scratch that warehouse or retail lighting hides. Your standard of “clean enough” is not studio-ready. Follow this protocol for each product:
- Hard surfaces (plastic, metal, glass, ceramic): Wipe with a lint-free microfibre cloth. For fingerprints, use a lens cleaning cloth or an electronics cleaning wipe. Do not use paper towel — it leaves fibres.
- Matte surfaces: Use a soft-bristle brush to remove dust, then a dry microfibre cloth. Avoid any liquid cleaning agents on matte finishes.
- Fabric products (apparel, bags, cushions): Steam all wrinkles. Remove lint with a lint roller. Check every seam and zipper for loose threads or unclipped tags.
- Glass and transparent products: Use a glass cleaner and a clean microfibre cloth. Check for water spots under a bright flashlight before packing.
- Jewellery and precious metals: Use a jewellery polishing cloth. Silver should be polished to remove tarnish. Do not use polishing compounds that leave residue.
See our specific guidance for challenging materials in our reflective surface product photography Montreal guide.
Step 3: Assemble and Configure Products Correctly
Products with multiple components (kitchenware with lids, electronics with accessories, fragrance sets with multiple items) need to be assembled correctly before arriving at the studio. Confirm that all components are present and properly fitted. If a product has variant configurations (e.g., a storage unit that can be configured in multiple ways), document which configuration should be photographed and in what sequence.
For products that need to be shown powered on (electronics, LED products, battery-operated items), ensure batteries are fresh or power adapters are included. We cannot source batteries or adapters on shoot day.
Step 4: Prepare Multiple Units of Each SKU
Send at least two units of each SKU to the studio whenever possible. This allows us to photograph the best-condition unit while having a backup if damage occurs during handling. For fragile products (glass, ceramics, electronics with exposed screens), sending three units is advisable. Breakage during product photography is rare but not impossible, and having a backup prevents costly delays and reshoot fees.
Multiple units also allow us to position products in different orientations simultaneously, speeding up the shoot day significantly.
Step 5: Organize and Label Everything Clearly
When shipping or delivering multiple SKUs, label each product or its container clearly with the SKU number or product name. Include a packing list with the exact items sent and the images required for each. If you have a shot list or creative brief, include a printed copy. Disorganized product delivery is one of the most common causes of missed shots and incorrect imagery — a clearly organized delivery allows our team to begin shooting efficiently.
If your products have colour variants that look similar (e.g., “midnight blue” vs “navy”), label each variant clearly and include colour confirmation swatch references if available.
Step 6: Pack Products Safely for Studio Delivery
Whether you’re shipping to our Montreal studio or delivering by hand, pack products as if they’re being shipped by mail. Fragile products should be individually wrapped in bubble wrap, nested in foam, or suspended in inflated air cushions. Do not use newspaper — the ink can transfer to products and packaging. For products with screens, apply a screen protector or cardboard screen guard before packing.
Include a complete packing list inside the box and attach our studio address and your contact information clearly to the outside.
Step 7: Confirm Your Shot List Before Shoot Day
A confirmed shot list — specifying which images are required for each product, including angle, background, and any lifestyle or prop requirements — is essential for an efficient shoot day. Without a shot list, our team must make assumptions about what you need, which can result in missing key images or spending time on shots you don’t require. We provide a shot list template for all clients; use it. Review it with your marketing team before your shoot date.
If you’re unsure what images you need, discuss it with us in your pre-shoot consultation. We can advise based on your sales channels and product category. For platform-specific image requirements, see our guides on Amazon photography, Shopify photography, and our general Montreal product photography services overview.
Step 8: Prepare Packaging and Inserts
If your products will be photographed in their packaging — open-box, unboxing, or packaging hero shots — ensure the packaging is pristine. No dented corners, no smudged labels, no storage creases. If the packaging includes tissue paper, printed cards, or inserts, include these and ensure they’re unfolded, uncrumpled, and ready to style. For detailed guidance on packaging photography, see our packaging and box photography Montreal post.
The Result: A Faster, Better, More Affordable Shoot Day
Following this preparation protocol typically reduces shoot time by 20–40% compared to unprepared products. That translates directly into lower photography costs (we bill by the day or half-day), more images per session, and final deliverables that require less post-production correction. In a city like Montreal where professional photography studio time is a real investment, proper preparation is one of the highest-ROI activities a brand can undertake.
If you have questions about preparing a specific product type for your upcoming shoot, contact us — we’re happy to advise. You can also view our pricing page, explore our portfolio, and read about our photo retouching services Montreal for context on what happens after the shoot.
Quick-Reference Preparation Checklist
- Remove all protective films, stickers, and transit labels
- Clean all surfaces with appropriate methods for each material
- Assemble products completely; include all components and accessories
- Include fresh batteries or power adapters for electronic products
- Send minimum 2 units per SKU; 3 for fragile products
- Label every item clearly with SKU and variant information
- Include a packing list and shot list
- Pack safely to prevent transit damage
- Confirm your shoot date, drop-off time, and contact information
New industry guides on the studio blog
Recent specialist guides from our Montreal product photography studio:
- Knife & Kitchen Cutlery Product Photography Montreal
- Woodworking Hand Tool Product Photography Montreal
- Camping Tent & Outdoor Shelter Product Photography Montreal
- Espresso Machine & Home Coffee Equipment Product Photography Montreal
- Hair Care & Salon Product Photography Montreal
- Underwear & Lingerie Product Photography Montreal
- Vintage & Antique Product Photography Montreal
- Board Game & Tabletop Product Photography Montreal
- Vegan & Plant-Based Food Product Photography Montreal
- Backpack & Daypack Product Photography Montreal
- Mont-Royal (TMR) Product Photography Montreal
- Repentigny Product Photography Montreal
More Resources for Montreal E-Commerce Brands
After your shoot is complete, these guides will help you maximize the value of your new product images:
- Product photography pricing Montreal — understand the investment before you book
- White background product photography Montreal — technical specs for Amazon, Shopify & more
- Ghost mannequin photography Montreal — for apparel brands needing hollow-form garment images
- How to choose a product photographer in Montreal — evaluate any studio with this checklist
- Background removal services Montreal — get perfect white backgrounds on any image
Related Preparation and Production Guides
Once your products are prepped for the shoot, the next decisions are platform export specs, language variants and technique choices.
