What Is Catalog Photography?

Good catalog photos usually have these things in common:

• A simple background. White, light gray, or another plain color, the same for every item.
• Consistent setup. Similar products are shot with the same light, angle, and crop, so the collection looks like it belongs together.
• The product comes first. Simple styling and neutral poses, with nothing that pulls attention away from the garment.
• Several views. Usually front and back, and often a side view and a close-up of the details.
• Accurate color. The photos match the real product as closely as possible.

Catalog photos can be packshots of the product alone or on-model photos, as long as the collection is shot consistently.

1. Plan the shot list. List every product and the views it needs.
2. Set up and write it down. Fix the light, background, and camera position, and note the settings so they can be repeated.
3. Shoot each item in every view. Work through the list one product at a time. On-model shoots use the same few poses for every item.
4. Edit in batches. Correct the color against the real garment, and use the same crop for the whole set.
5. Name and organize the files. Many stores name each photo after the product code, so it's easy to upload.

Shoppers often browse a category page full of products before they open one. When the catalog photos match, the collection is easier to scan, and differences like color or cut are easier to spot. The same photos then appear on each product detail page. A consistent catalog also makes it easier to add new products later, since they can be shot the same way.

• Catalog: shows every product clearly and in the same way, usually on a plain background. Used for product pages and marketplaces.
• Editorial: tells a story with styled looks, a setting, and a mood. Used for campaigns, social media, and lookbooks.

Most fashion brands need both: editorial images to attract shoppers, and catalog photos to help them choose and buy.