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Catalogue3 min read

A product photography and media guide for a consistent D2C catalogue

Consistent product media makes a catalogue easier to browse. The goal is not to make every picture identical; it is to help buyers compare products while preserving the details that matter. A repeatable shooting and review process also saves work as the catalogue grows.

By LeBrands.Store editorial team

An editorial illustration of a 4:5 product frame, crop guides and a product video preview

Key takeaways

  • Use a consistent main-image composition and review the crop.
  • Show details and scale across supporting images or video.
  • Optimise delivery without sacrificing product accuracy or accessibility.

Plan the questions each image answers

Create a short shot list before photographing products. Cover the whole item, important details and the way it is used or worn. A close-up of a fastening answers a different question from a full-length apparel image. Decide which views a customer needs before adding purely decorative images.

Use lighting that preserves material and colour rather than relying on strong filters. Keep notes about backgrounds, camera position and framing so later products can sit comfortably alongside the first set. For products sold in multiple colours, confirm that each image corresponds to the correct option.

Review a 4:5 crop without losing important information

A 4:5 portrait frame can work well for product cards and mobile browsing. Place the item with enough breathing room that handles, hems, labels or packaging edges are not cut off. A crop preview is important because a technically valid image may still hide a key detail.

Do not force every source into a crop that misrepresents scale or removes essential parts. Where the upload tools offer crop or framing controls, review the saved result before publishing. Revisit the product grid and product page: their image containers may reveal problems that were less obvious in the editor.

Use video when movement adds information

Video is useful when it shows drape, assembly, texture under changing light or a genuine demonstration. It should not be necessary to watch a long clip to learn the basic product specifications. Keep the essential information available as readable text.

Choose efficient media formats supported by the actual upload pipeline and target browsers. WebP images and WebM video can reduce file size in suitable workflows, but format conversion is not a substitute for checking visual quality, playback and fallback behaviour. Follow the uploader's current file-size and type limits rather than assuming unlimited uploads.

Check accessibility, ownership and the final storefront

Write concise alternative text that identifies meaningful visual information, such as a product's angle or finish. Do not repeat every nearby specification or insert unrelated keywords. Decorative illustrations can have empty alternative text when they add no information to the page.

Use media the business owns or is licensed to publish. Retain originals so a future crop or format change does not require reusing an already compressed file. Check mobile loading, layout stability and video controls before release. AI-generated variations or paid media credits should not be described as available until the actual workflow has been implemented and approved.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 4:5 image have to be cropped automatically?

Not necessarily. Review the source and preview first. A fitting strategy should preserve the complete product and the information a buyer needs.

Should I replace descriptions with product videos?

No. Video can add evidence, but dimensions, contents, care and other essential details should remain available as text.