The three shots every product needs
Catalog shot: 'product on pure white seamless, even soft lighting, subtle contact shadow' — marketplaces require it, and the contact shadow is what stops it looking pasted-on. Hero shot: 'dark gradient background, dramatic rim light, reflective surface' — this is your landing-page banner. Lifestyle shot: place the product in a believable scene with 'natural window light, shallow depth of field' so buyers can imagine owning it.
Prompt all three from the same product description and you have a complete listing set in one session.
Surfaces and light sell texture
Name the surface the product sits on — slate, oak, marble, brushed steel, linen — because reflections and shadow softness follow from it. Add environmental storytelling sparingly: a single water droplet on a skincare bottle or steam behind a coffee bag adds appetite appeal, while cluttered props steal attention. The STUDIO SOFTBOX preset applies a tested clean-studio lighting fragment when you want the safe default.
Who uses it
E-commerce sellers refresh entire catalogs seasonally without reshoots; DTC brands A/B-test hero visuals per campaign; agencies mock up packaging concepts before the physical product exists. Combine with Nidhogg's Remove BG and Relight editing tools to adapt one master shot to many placements.