Product Photography Brief Generator
Generate a complete product photography brief for e-commerce — covering hero shots, lifestyle images, detail close-ups, scale reference shots, and platform-specific requirements. Includes AI image generation prompts for each shot type.
Amazon requires a pure white background hero image. Etsy buyers respond to lifestyle context. Shopify stores need both. Always specify the mandatory platform requirements before the creative direction — a beautiful photo that violates platform rules gets rejected.
How to use this prompt
- Pick your AI model. Choose the tab for Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot — each variant is tuned for that model.
- Copy the full prompt. Click Copy Full Prompt to copy the text to your clipboard.
- Paste into your AI tool. Open your chosen model and paste the prompt into a new chat.
- Replace the
[placeholders]. Swap any bracketed fields for your company name, audience, product or tone. - Run and refine. Review the output. If anything is off, ask the AI to tighten tone, length or format.
Prompt Variants by Model
You are a product photography art director for e-commerce. Create a complete photo brief.
<product>
Product: [NAME] — [DESCRIBE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE]
Category: [TYPE]
Key visual features: [WHAT SHOULD...You are a product photography art director for e-commerce. Create a complete photo brief.
<product>
Product: [NAME] — [DESCRIBE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE]
Category: [TYPE]
Key visual features: [WHAT SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED — color, texture, size, detail]
Platform: [AMAZON / ETSY / SHOPIFY / ALL]
Target buyer: [WHO — what visual style appeals to them]
Competitors: [WHOSE PRODUCT PHOTOS DO YOU ADMIRE]
Budget: [PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER / DIY / AI GENERATED]
</product>
Generate a shot list with 7 images:
**Shot 1 — Hero/Main Image:**
Platform requirements (Amazon: pure white bg, product fills 85% of frame; Etsy: can include context). Composition, angle, lighting direction. AI image prompt if applicable.
**Shot 2 — Lifestyle/In-Use:**
Product being used in a realistic setting by the target buyer. Environment, props, mood, lighting. AI prompt.
**Shot 3 — Scale Reference:**
Product next to a common object (hand, coin, everyday item) to show size. Composition notes.
**Shot 4 — Detail Close-Up:**
The feature that differentiates this product. Macro-style, focused depth of field. What to highlight.
**Shot 5 — Packaging/Unboxing:**
What the customer receives. Flat lay or hands-opening-box style. Include any included accessories.
**Shot 6 — Multiple Angles/360:**
Side, back, bottom — whatever angles show features the hero misses. Grid or carousel format.
**Shot 7 — Infographic/Comparison:**
Product with text callouts pointing to key features. OR side-by-side with competitor. Designed image, not a photograph.
For each shot: describe composition, lighting, angle, props needed, and provide an AI image generation prompt (80-100 words) if budget is AI-generated.Act as a product photography art director. Create a 7-image photo brief.
**Product:**
- Name: [NAME] — [DESCRIBE APPEARANCE]
-...Act as a product photography art director. Create a 7-image photo brief.
**Product:**
- Name: [NAME] — [DESCRIBE APPEARANCE]
- Category: [TYPE]
- Highlight: [KEY VISUAL FEATURES]
- Platform: [AMAZON/ETSY/SHOPIFY/ALL]
- Buyer: [WHO]
- Photo budget: [PROFESSIONAL/DIY/AI GENERATED]
**7 shots:**
1. Hero (platform-compliant main image)
2. Lifestyle (in-use with target buyer context)
3. Scale reference (with common object for size)
4. Detail close-up (differentiating feature)
5. Packaging/unboxing
6. Multiple angles
7. Infographic/feature callouts
For each: composition, lighting, angle, props, and AI image prompt (80-100 words) if AI-generated.I need a product photography plan for my online store.
**Product:**
- Name: [NAME] — [WHAT IT LOOKS...I need a product photography plan for my online store.
**Product:**
- Name: [NAME] — [WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE]
- Category: [TYPE]
- What to highlight: [KEY FEATURES]
- Platform: [AMAZON/ETSY/SHOPIFY/ALL]
- Buyer: [WHO]
- Budget: [PROFESSIONAL/DIY/AI]
**Create a 7-shot brief:**
1. Hero/main image (platform rules)
2. Lifestyle/in-use shot
3. Scale reference
4. Detail close-up
5. Packaging
6. Multiple angles
7. Infographic with feature callouts
For each: composition, lighting, angle, props, and an AI image prompt if applicable.Help me plan product photos for my online store listing.
**My product:**
- Name: [NAME] — [DESCRIBE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE]
- Category: [TYPE]
- What makes it...Help me plan product photos for my online store listing.
**My product:**
- Name: [NAME] — [DESCRIBE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE]
- Category: [TYPE]
- What makes it look special: [KEY FEATURES]
- Selling on: [AMAZON/ETSY/SHOPIFY/OTHER]
- Who buys it: [TARGET BUYER]
- Photo budget: [HIRING A PHOTOGRAPHER / DOING IT MYSELF / USING AI]
**I need a plan for 7 photos:**
1. Main product photo (following platform rules)
2. Product being used by a real person in a real setting
3. Something showing how big/small it is
4. Close-up of the best feature
5. What the packaging looks like when it arrives
6. Different angles (side, back, etc.)
7. An image with text labels pointing out features
For each photo, tell me: angle, lighting, what to put near it, and if I am using AI, write me a prompt to generate it.Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Product Photography Brief Generator prompt do?
Generate a complete product photography brief for e-commerce — covering hero shots, lifestyle images, detail close-ups, scale reference shots, and platform-specific requirements. Includes AI image generation prompts for each shot type.
Which AI models is this prompt tested on?
This prompt is field-tested on Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. Each model has its own optimized variant above.
Do I need a paid AI account to use this prompt?
No. This prompt is written to run on the free tier of Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. Paid tiers simply give you longer context windows and faster responses.
Can I customize this prompt for my business?
Yes. Any text inside square brackets is a placeholder you replace with your own business details, such as company name, audience, product or tone. You can also ask the AI to adjust format, length or style after the first output.
When was this prompt last verified?
Each model variant above shows its own freshness stamp. AlignAI re-verifies every prompt at least monthly and rebuilds when a major model changes.
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