For a ship-to-shoot, you send three things: the product, a short brief, and your brand files. The product gets the shot. The brief and brand files make sure it's the shot you actually need.
Most delays I see on remote shoots don't come from the camera. They come from not enough product for the shot list, units that arrive in rough shape, a shipping delay, or a question nobody asked until shoot day. This guide covers what to pack, what to put in your brief, and what to send before your box ever ships.
If you're new to remote production, start with how ship-to-shoot works. This post picks up where that one ends.
1. The product
Send more than you think the shot list needs. Some units arrive scuffed. Some labels sit crooked. Food gets eaten by hot lights. The extra units are what keep a shoot on schedule.
There's no universal count. It depends on how many shots, whether we're opening or plating the product, and how many flavors or sizes are in the line. Once your shoot is scoped, I'll send a recommendation on how many units to send and what to pack.
A few things that help every time:
Pick your best-looking units for the hero shots and mark them. A clean label saves retouching time.
Include every flavor or size that needs its own image, even if it only shows up in one group shot.
Send packaging extras if you have them: outer cartons, gift boxes, shippers, or retail display trays.
Flag anything perishable. Tell me the storage needs and the shelf life so it's ready on shoot day, not past its best.
2. A short brief
A brief doesn't need to be long. One page beats ten. It should answer:
What is this for? Amazon listing, website, a launch campaign, paid social, a retailer sell sheet.
What does each shot need to do? Show the texture, show the size, show it in use, show the whole line.
Sizes and crops. Square for social, 9:16 for Reels and Stories, white background for marketplaces.
Deadline. The date you need finals, and the date anything goes live.
Who approves. One name keeps feedback clear.
If you'd rather not start from a blank page, use my free creative brief template.
3. Brand files
These keep the images on-brand without a second round of edits:
Logo files and brand colors
Your brand or style guide, if you have one
Current packaging art, so I know what's changing and what isn't
Product names and claims exactly as they should read
4. References
Send 3 to 5 images you like, from anywhere. Tell me what you like about each one: the light, the angle, the props, the mood. A short note on what you don't want helps just as much.
5. Shipping details
Use a tracked service and send the tracking number.
Pack food and drink to survive a bumpy ride. Bottles and cans need extra padding.
Let me know whether you want leftover product back. Sealed, shelf-stable items can ship back with a label you provide. Opened or perishable items are usually donated.
Every box is checked when it arrives. If something shows up damaged, you'll hear right away, so a replacement can ship before the shoot, not after.
6. Usage
Tell me where the images will run and for how long. It shapes how the shots are framed, and it decides the license. Every MisaHungry project includes a 5-year commercial license for web, social, e-commerce, email, ads, and print. Packaging and out-of-home use are scoped separately.
Quick checklist before you ship
Product, with extras and hero units marked
One-page brief: use, shot goals, sizes, deadline, approver
Logo, colors, style guide, packaging art
3 to 5 reference images with notes
Tracking number sent
Return or donate decision made
Where the images will run
FAQ
Do I need to be at the shoot? No. You follow along in a live album and weigh in by text, email, or video call.
How fast do I get images? Rough edits within 48 hours of the shoot. Final retouched images in 1 to 2 weeks. Rush is available.
What if my packaging is about to change? Tell me before you ship. We can shoot so the label is easy to swap later, or wait for final packaging.
Ready to ship?
Send over your brief and I'll recommend the right scope for your shoot. Start a project.
Sean Misa is a food and beverage photographer and tabletop director at MisaHungry Media, near Seattle. He shoots product, splash, lifestyle, and stop motion for CPG brands like TRUFF, King's Hawaiian, and Jade Leaf Matcha. More about Sean.
