How to Create a Jewelry Photography Shot List (and Keep Your Shoot Sane!)

When you book Evisual’s jewelry photography service, your vision deserves to be captured exactly the way you imagine it. That’s where a shot list comes in.

A well-planned shot list keeps your shoot organized, ensures every key image is captured, and makes the process more efficient for both you and our photography team. Instead of guessing on set, we follow a clear plan—meaning fewer surprises, fewer reshoots, and more images you’ll love.

Below, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to building your own jewelry photography shot list, complete with pro tips from our in-house stylists.

Step 1: Define the Goal

Ask yourself—what do these images need to achieve? Are they for:

  • An e-commerce product page?

  • A wholesale line sheet?

  • Social media ads?

  • Press or editorial features?

Your end goal will shape everything from background color to retouching style. For example, e-commerce shots need clean, consistent lighting, while social content might benefit from richer colors and lifestyle props.

Step 2: Inventory Your Pieces

List every item you plan to shoot, along with:

  • SKU or product name

  • Collection name

  • Metal type & finish (e.g., 14K Gold, Matte, Rhodium-plated)

  • Stone type (e.g., Lab-grown diamond, Morganite)

Grouping by collection can help us photograph similar items together, saving time and ensuring visual consistency.

Step 3: Lock the Visual Direction

Provide 3–6 reference images that show your desired look—whether that’s minimalist and clean, colorful and bold, or editorial and moody. Our team can then match your desired lighting, shadow style, and composition.

Step 4: Choose Backgrounds

Pick a core palette of 1–2 neutral backgrounds and 1–2 accent colors.
Example palette from recent shoots:

  • Neutrals: Light Nude, Dark Nude

  • Accents: Orange, Claret

Neutrals keep your catalog cohesive, while accents highlight hero pieces or seasonal releases.

Step 5: Plan Props (Sparingly)

Props should elevate your jewelry, not distract from it. Examples include:

  • Acrylic stands (for height and reflections)

  • Velvet blocks (for softness and depth)

  • Paper cut-outs (for playful styling)

For clean product shots, we’ll keep props minimal and focus on form, sparkle, and finish.

Step 6: Specify Lighting & Shadows

Decide whether you prefer:

  • Soft gradients (gentle, even illumination)

  • Crisp directional shadows (more depth and drama)

We’ll then set up lighting that flatters both your metal finish and gemstones.

Step 7: Define Your Shot Types

Common shot types include:

  • Hero (main beauty image)

  • Angle (45° / side / front for online listings)

  • Top-down / Flat lay (necklaces, group shots)

  • Macro Detail (close-up of prongs, pavé, engravings)

  • Scale (to show size using props or model hands)

  • Group / Colorway (e.g., gold + silver together)

  • Lifestyle vibe (richer color backgrounds, casual props)

Step 8: Lock Angles, Orientation & Placement

Consistency is key. Decide in advance:

  • Camera angle (front, 45°, top-down)

  • Orientation (square, portrait, or landscape)

  • Placement (flat, on stand, suspended, propped at an angle)

Step 9: Retouching Notes

Tell us what’s most important:

  • Dust & lint cleanup

  • Color consistency across pieces

  • Stone sparkle enhancement

  • Prong refinement

Pro Tips from Evisual’s Photography Team

Standardizing angles across your products helps maintain a consistent, professional look on your website, while using accent backgrounds sparingly ensures they highlight only your most important pieces. Finally, approving a single “test frame” before moving into full production allows you to confirm that the lighting, background, and composition align with your vision—saving time and avoiding costly reshoots.

Ready to See Your Jewelry at Its Best?

With a detailed shot list and our photography expertise, your pieces will shine in every image—literally and figuratively.

Get in touch with Evisual today to plan your next shoot. We’ll help you create visuals that sell.