Creating consistent content at scale using Overlays
When it comes to professional content creation at scale, consistency is key. While shooting dozens of products for an e-commerce website, sticking to your visual guidelines is essential to maintain quality and keep a coherent-looking product listing page.
That’s where Overlays come in.
What are Overlays?
Overlays are a powerful tool within Profoto’s automated systems that help you create content with unmatched consistency. An Overlay is essentially a visual guide or a transparent image or graphic that appears on the Live View screen. Think of it as a styling stencil or framing blueprint for your shot.
By superimposing a reference photo or grid, Overlays help you:
- Position your products perfectly every time
- Follow your brand’s styling and framing guidelines
- Reproduce identical shots across different products or shoots
Why use Overlays?
Let’s say you're shooting multiple items from the same product category, like shoes or t-shirts. Overlays give your stylist a clear visual reference of how each product should be placed and styled. The result? Faster shoots and a cohesive look across your entire catalog.
How to use Overlays in ProStudio
Overlays can be found in the top corner of the Live View. You can toggle them on, change the opacity and select new images from your Photos gallery to use as an overlay. You can find our step-by-step guide for Overlays here.
Tip: Plan ahead with Overlays
To make the most of Overlays, create a set of pre-approved styling templates for your key product categories. These can be uploaded by your studio manager and used by any stylist, ensuring every shoot stays true to your brand.