--- name: product-photography description: Generate professional product photography and hero shots using AI. Use when creating product images for e-commerce, landing pages, or marketing materials. --- # Product Photography Skill ## Overview Product Photography generates professional-quality product shots using Image Generation. This skill teaches you to create hero shots and e-commerce photography. **Keywords**: product photography, product shots, e-commerce photography, hero images, product marketing, visual commerce, AI photography ## Core Methodology Professional product photography has three elements: 1. **Product Presentation** — How the product is shown 2. **Lighting and Composition** — Professional visual treatment 3. **Context and Lifestyle** — Where/how the product is used ## Product Photography Types ### Type 1: Clean Product Shot **Use For**: E-commerce listings, product pages, catalogs **Prompt Template**: ``` [Product name], professional product photography, white background, studio lighting, sharp focus, 4K, centered composition, [color palette], clean aesthetic, high-end product photography, trending on [platform] ``` **Example**: ``` Luxury leather wallet, professional product photography, white background, studio lighting, sharp focus, 4K, centered composition, brown and gold tones, clean aesthetic, high-end product photography, trending on behance ``` ### Type 2: Lifestyle Shot **Use For**: Social media, marketing, lifestyle branding **Prompt Template**: ``` [Product] in use, lifestyle photography, [setting], natural lighting, [composition], [mood], professional quality, 4K, [color palette], magazine quality photography ``` **Example**: ``` Coffee cup in use on a wooden desk, lifestyle photography, morning setting, natural golden hour lighting, rule of thirds composition, warm and inviting mood, professional quality, 4K, warm brown and cream tones, magazine quality photography ``` ### Type 3: Hero Shot **Use For**: Landing pages, main product images, featured content **Prompt Template**: ``` [Product] hero shot, dramatic professional photography, [background], cinematic lighting, dynamic composition, [mood], 4K, [color palette], award-winning photography, trending on awwwards ``` **Example**: ``` Smartphone hero shot, dramatic professional photography, gradient background, cinematic lighting, dynamic composition, premium mood, 4K, blue and silver tones, award-winning photography, trending on awwwards ``` ### Type 4: Detail Shot **Use For**: Showcasing features, close-ups, texture details **Prompt Template**: ``` Close-up of [product detail], macro photography, sharp focus, professional lighting, [mood], 4K, [color palette], studio quality, high detail, trending on [platform] ``` **Example**: ``` Close-up of watch face, macro photography, sharp focus, professional studio lighting, luxury mood, 4K, gold and black tones, studio quality, high detail, trending on behance ``` ### Type 5: Flat Lay **Use For**: Social media, lifestyle content, styled shots **Prompt Template**: ``` Flat lay of [product and accessories], styled photography, [background], natural lighting, overhead composition, [mood], 4K, [color palette], professional styling, magazine quality ``` **Example**: ``` Flat lay of skincare products and accessories, styled photography, marble background, natural soft lighting, overhead composition, luxury mood, 4K, white and rose gold tones, professional styling, magazine quality ``` ## Lighting Techniques ### Lighting Style 1: Studio Lighting ``` "Studio lighting, professional setup, controlled lighting, even illumination, no harsh shadows, clean aesthetic" ``` **Best For**: Product shots, clean presentations ### Lighting Style 2: Natural Lighting ``` "Natural lighting, golden hour, soft diffused light, warm tones, gentle shadows" ``` **Best For**: Lifestyle shots, authentic feel ### Lighting Style 3: Dramatic Lighting ``` "Dramatic lighting, rim lighting, moody atmosphere, cinematic shadows, high contrast" ``` **Best For**: Hero shots, premium positioning ### Lighting Style 4: Minimalist Lighting ``` "Minimalist lighting, soft key light, subtle shadows, clean and simple, high-key lighting" ``` **Best For**: Minimalist brands, clean aesthetics ## Background Options ### Background 1: White/Clean ``` "White background, clean aesthetic, minimal, professional" ``` ### Background 2: Gradient ``` "Gradient background, [color1] to [color2], smooth transition, modern aesthetic" ``` ### Background 3: Textured ``` "Textured background, [material], subtle texture, professional, [color]" ``` ### Background 4: Lifestyle ``` "[Setting] background, lifestyle context, natural environment, [mood]" ``` ### Background 5: Blurred ``` "Blurred background, bokeh, depth of field, focus on product, [color] tones" ``` ## Composition Techniques ### Composition 1: Centered ``` "Centered composition, symmetrical, product in center, balanced, professional" ``` **Best For**: Clean product shots, e-commerce ### Composition 2: Rule of Thirds ``` "Rule of thirds composition, product positioned at intersection, dynamic, professional" ``` **Best For**: More interesting, professional photography ### Composition 3: Leading Lines ``` "Leading lines composition, lines guide eye to product, dynamic, professional" ``` **Best For**: Lifestyle shots, storytelling ### Composition 4: Negative Space ``` "Lots of negative space, product in corner, minimalist, clean aesthetic" ``` **Best For**: Minimalist brands, luxury positioning ## Complete Product Photography Prompts ### E-Commerce Product Shot ``` Professional product photography of [product name], white background, studio lighting, sharp focus, 4K, centered composition, [specific colors], clean aesthetic, high-end product photography, no shadows, trending on amazon ``` ### Lifestyle Marketing Shot ``` [Product] in lifestyle setting, professional photography, [setting], natural golden hour lighting, rule of thirds, [mood], 4K, [color palette], magazine quality, authentic, professional styling ``` ### Premium Hero Image ``` [Product] hero shot, dramatic cinematic photography, gradient [color1] to [color2] background, professional lighting, dynamic composition, luxury aesthetic, 4K, award-winning photography, trending on awwwards, premium quality ``` ### Social Media Product Post ``` Product photography for Instagram, [product], [background], professional lighting, eye-catching composition, [color palette], 1080x1080, high contrast, modern aesthetic, trending on instagram, professional quality ``` ### Detail/Feature Showcase ``` Close-up detail shot of [product feature], macro photography, sharp focus, professional studio lighting, [mood], 4K, [color palette], high detail, showcase quality, trending on behance ``` ## How to Use This Skill 1. **Choose Your Photography Type** — Which type matches your need? 2. **Select Your Lighting** — What lighting style fits your brand? 3. **Choose Your Background** — What background works best? 4. **Pick Your Composition** — How should the product be positioned? 5. **Build Your Prompt** — Combine all elements 6. **Generate Image** — Use Image Generation skill 7. **Refine** — Iterate based on results ## Integration with Other Skills Product Photography works with: - **Creative Strategist** — Your style guide informs photography style - **Image Generation** — Uses FAL.ai to create images - **Social Graphics** — Product photos become social assets - **Brand Asset** — Product shots become brand elements ## Pro Tips **Consistency**: Use same lighting and composition for product series **Color Accuracy**: Match your Creative Strategist color palette **Quality**: Use 1024x1024 or larger for product photography **Multiple Angles**: Generate same product from different angles **Testing**: Generate variations before choosing final **Styling**: Include relevant accessories in lifestyle shots **Context**: Show product in use or in relevant environment ## Common Pitfalls **Poor Lighting** — Lighting is crucial. Be specific about lighting style. **Inconsistent Style** — Products don't look like they're from same brand. **Cluttered Background** — Background competes with product. **Wrong Composition** — Product positioning doesn't draw eye. **Low Quality** — Use high image size and quality descriptors. **Missing Context** — Lifestyle shots need clear setting and mood. ## Troubleshooting ### Product Looks Cheap - Add "premium," "luxury," "high-end" to prompt - Use dramatic lighting instead of flat lighting - Add quality descriptors: "professional," "award-winning" ### Background Distracts from Product - Use white or gradient background instead - Add "minimal background," "focus on product" - Increase negative space ### Lighting Looks Unnatural - Specify exact lighting type: "studio," "natural," "golden hour" - Add "professional lighting," "cinematic" - Use "soft," "diffused," "even illumination" ### Product Doesn't Match Brand Colors - Add specific color names to prompt - Reference your Creative Strategist color palette - Use color hex codes if possible ## Next Steps Once you're creating product photography, move to Skill 04: Product Video to bring your products to life with animation.