Takeaways

• Flash sale sites like Haute Look played a significant role in shaping the modern e-commerce creative production industry.
• The early days of e-commerce product photography involved high-volume shooting and the need for a balance between speed and quality.
• Consistency in imagery, including background color and lighting, became a crucial aspect of e-commerce photography.
• Retouchers played a vital role in identifying equipment issues and collaborating with stylists to ensure accurate and high-quality images. E-commerce photography presents unique challenges, such as time constraints and the need for efficiency.
• The demanding nature of e-commerce photography has led to the recognition of the importance of creativity in the industry.
• The evolution of technology has greatly impacted the way e-commerce photography is conducted, allowing for more efficient workflows and collaboration.
• Training programs for retouchers should focus on establishing standards and autonomy, while utilizing technology to aid in the training process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:17 Early Days at Haute Look

03:22 Challenges of E-commerce Product Photography

05:27 Impact of Flash Sale Sites on E-commerce Creative Production

09:47 Transition to In-house Studios

12:50 Digital Workflows and File Management

18:19 Retouching Challenges and Standards

21:49 Importance of Consistency in E-commerce Imagery

25:05 Color Accuracy and QA Process

29:15 Role of Retouchers in Identifying Equipment Issues

31:34 Collaboration between Retouchers and Stylists

32:40 The Challenges of E-commerce Photography

36:21 The Impact of E-commerce Photography on Creativity

39:48 The Evolution of E-commerce Photography

45:40 The Importance of Communication in E-commerce Retouching

48:30 Training Retouchers and Autonomy

53:53 The Role of Technology in E-commerce Photography

59:02 Building a Training Program for Retouchers

01:04:46 The Future of E-commerce Photography

Credits

This podcast was produced by verybusy.io and co-produced by Daniel Jester

Visit VeryBusy.io/fdf to learn how they can help you streamline your review process and post production communication

Takeaways

• The creative job market is experiencing both busy and slow periods, with some creative teams being dismantled due to layoffs.
• There is a need to change the way we think about and value creative teams in the industry.
• Daniel Jester plans to offer a podcast playbook ebook and consulting services for those interested in starting a podcast.
• He has been working with studios to improve their processes and efficiency, focusing on areas such as workflow mapping and technology implementation.
• Daniel's upcoming podcast mini-series, The Flash Drive Files, will explore the relationship between photography and retouching teams and how it has evolved over the years.
• The Flash Drive Files is sponsored by Very Busy.io, a review and approval technology platform.
• Daniel invites listeners to meet him at Henry Stewart and teases the first episode of The Flash Drive Files.

Takeaways
Visual storytelling through photography is crucial for brands to effectively communicate their message.
High-quality photography can help brands stand out in a crowded market.
Having a clear brand identity and brand guidelines is essential for successful photography.
Understanding the target demographic and their preferences is key in creating impactful visuals.
Establishing long-term goals with the brand helps ensure that the photography aligns with their vision.