The 8 challenges of producing visual content

The success of e-commerce, especially in areas such as fashion and accessories, is based on the visual content production. Whether it's how-to videos, lifestyle images, or product photos, creating great visuals isn't as easy as taking one. For teams that present perfect and striking images, the process sometimes feels like juggling eight flaming torches.

These” hot challenges ” (metaphor “buildings on fire” invented at the ShotFlow Summit) represent the critical problems teams face in responding to the growing demand for visual content. This article explores eight key challenges and practical solutions to manage them effectively.

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1. Disorganized workflows

The problem

Picture the situation: Your team is ready to deliver content for a big e-commerce campaign. But when you ask for the latest product image, team members need to find where it is. One person sends a version from last week, another sends a version that hasn't been edited, and you're stuck in a frustrating loop. Does that sound familiar? It's the chaos caused by disorganized workflows.

The problem often comes from the fact that teams rely on obsolete systems to manage assets, such as spreadsheets, email chains, and folder hierarchies. Without a central point for files, approvals, and feedback, you risk wasting time, duplicating work, and missing deadlines.

Statistics that highlight the problem

• 31% marketers say the lack of structured workflows is a major barrier to increasing content production.
• Due to inefficiency, businesses lose on average 20 to 30% of their turnover each year.

In the high-tech and home appliance industry, disorganized workflows can cause outdated visuals to be published or key approval steps to be missed. These mistakes can prove costly in the ever-changing world of workflow management and e-commerce photography studios.

The solution

The first step in resolving disorganized workflows is to introduce a centralized system. Tools like ShotFlow are a one-stop shop for managing the production of visual content.

These platforms allow teams to:

• Store assets with consistent metadata to find them easily.
• Assign tasks, track deadlines, and facilitate real-time communication.
• Automate repetitive tasks, such as file naming, which saves time and reduces human error.

An international clothing brand has reduced 40% the turnaround time for its content after implementing ShotFlow. By centralizing her workflow, she eliminated 80% emails and accelerated its photography workflow for e-commerce.

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Implementation

Setting up a centralized workflow system doesn't have to be an insurmountable task. Here's how to implement it effectively:

Audit of existing workflows

• Map out your current process. Where are the bottlenecks ? What are the tasks that take up the most time?
• Involve your team in identifying pain points : it will know where the inefficiencies are.

Choosing the right platform

• Look for tools that integrate with your existing systems, such as DAMs and CMS platforms.
• Ensure the platform supports metadata tagging, automation, and real-time collaboration.

Train your team

• Organize sessions of practical training to get everyone familiar with the new system.
• Designate team leaders responsible for overseeing the adoption of the system and resolving potential problems.

Control and refine

• Use the functions ofparses to track the effectiveness of your new workflows. Are tasks completed more quickly? Are errors decreasing?
• Get feedback from the team and make adjustments as needed.

2. Adapting content for cross-platform use

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The problem

Each platform has its own particularities. Instagram Stories thrive on vertical visuals, YouTube requires a large screen, and TikTok loves short, compelling videos. In the e-commerce photography workflow, meeting these diverse demands can overwhelm teams. The more platforms you use, the more you need content variations, and scaling to meet this demand often needs to be improved.

Teams are often forced to resize and reformat manually visuals for each platform. This is time consuming and increases the risk of mistakes, such as reframing key product details or a misfit brand.

Statistics that highlight the problem

• Studies show that 69% Marketers recognize that automating content production has helped them respond more effectively to platform-specific demands.
• 40% of production teams cite time constraints as their main obstacle to creating content optimized for platforms.
• More than 30% of marketers say they have lost valuable audience engagement due to non-optimized visuals on platforms.

These figures underscore the critical need for streamlined and scalable workflows to produce high-quality, platform-ready visuals.

The solution

Les automation tools designed for the production of visual content can greatly facilitate cross-platform scaling. These tools can:

• Resize and format automatically visuals for different platforms.
• Maintain a consistent brand image by applying predefined templates.
• Provide sighted to ensure that the visuals meet the standards specific to each platform before publishing them.

For example, tools that integrate with your studio management system can batch process hundreds of visuals in minutes, saving countless hours of manual work.

By using automation tools, a global electronics retailer reduced the time needed to produce visuals for 50%. Standardization of templates and presets for platforms like Instagram and TikTok has freed up time for creative tasks while maintaining a consistent brand image.

Implementation

Define the specific needs of each platform

• Create a checklist dimensions, formats, and file sizes for each platform you're targeting.
• Prioritize the most important platforms for your e-commerce strategy.

Set up automation presets

• Set up presets for common formats, such as 1:1 (Instagram), 16:9 (YouTube), and 9:16 (TikTok).
• Use batch processing tools to manage multiple files simultaneously.

Review and optimize

• Perform quality controls to ensure that automated resizing does not compromise visual appeal.
• Update presets regularly as platform standards change.

3. Inefficient studio management

The problem

Imagine walking into a studio where everything is chaos. Equipment is booked twice, teams don't know exactly what to do, and precious hours are lost waiting for equipment to be available. One poor studio management disrupts workflows and creates bottlenecks that affect the production process.

These inefficiencies can lead to significant delays in the e-commerce photography workflow. Teams often need help optimizing schedules or anticipating resource needs, which results in missed deadlines and higher costs.

The problem is even greater in large-scale productions where multiple shots take place simultaneously. The absence of centralized management wastes time and risks producing low-quality visuals due to hasty sessions or poor communication.

Statistics that highlight the problem

• Studios with a disorganized schedule know 25% more downtime, which has a direct impact on the project schedule.
• 40% of production teams cite poor coordination as one of the main causes of missed deadlines.
• Businesses lose on average 10,000 dollars per week due to the inefficiency of studios in large-scale operations.

These figures demonstrate the tangible impact of poor studio management on deadlines and budgets.

The solution

The adoption of a studio management software is the most effective way to tidy up your operations. These tools help teams:

• Program resources effectively, avoiding conflicts and overlaps.
• Follow theuse of equipment to ensure that all resources are used effectively.
• Monitor ongoing projects to identify delays or potential issues in real time.

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For example, an international fashion retailer implemented a centralized scheduling system and reduced the downtime of 30%. This allowed the team to focus on producing visual content rather than juggling logistics.

Implementation

Centralized planning

• Use shared calendars to manage equipment, studio spaces, and team schedules.
• Designate a studio manager responsible for overseeing bookings and resolving disputes.

Controlling the use of resources

• Set up tracking systems for equipment to avoid overuse or underuse.
• Establish maintenance schedules to ensure that the equipment is still in working condition.

Optimize processes

• Use the parses studio management tools to identify inefficiencies
• Review programs regularly and refine them based on past performance.

4. Maintaining brand consistency across channels

The problem

Imagine a scenario where your product images vary from platform to platform: bright and appealing on Instagram, but lackluster and unpolished on your website. Of inconsistent visuals can upset customers and erode trust in your brand. For companies in the skincare and cosmetics industry, maintaining brand consistency is particularly difficult when juggling multiple product lines and channels.

The root of the problem lies in disconnected workflows. When teams work in silos without a common set of guidelines, even small differences in color calibration, logo placement, or editing styles can snowball and lead to larger inconsistencies.

Ensure consistent visuals in e-commerce photography workflows. One consistent brand image improves customer experience and builds trust, which directly influences buying decisions.

Statistics that highlight the problem

• 70% of consumers say that the consistency of visuals has a significant impact on their purchasing decisions.
• Brands whose visuals are consistent from one platform to another see their turnover increase by 23% on average.
• 50% marketers say managing brand consistency is their biggest challenge when it comes to producing visual content.

The solution

The creation and application of brand guidelines are the cornerstone of coherence. A centralized repository for style guides allows all team members to work from the same set of specifications. Tools like ShotFlow simplify this task by integrating the guidelines into studio management systems, allowing for real-time checks during production.

A luxury fashion brand received complaints from customers about the inconsistency of product images across platforms. After implementing a centralized style guide and a review system, the brand saw an improvement in 30% of the customer satisfaction rate in the space of six months.

Implementation

Develop comprehensive style guides

• Define standards for lighting, color calibration, logo placement, and typography.
• Use visual examples to clarify expectations.

Use editing templates

• Create presets for photo editing tools to ensure consistency across all resources.
• Store these templates in shared folders that are accessible to all team members.

Centralize comments

• Set up a common platform for the review and approval of visuals in order to quickly detect inconsistencies.

Check consistency

• Review content on all platforms regularly to ensure that it is in accordance with the guidelines of the brand.

5. Slow turnaround times

The problem

Every day, a visual that is not ready for the release of a product or a marketing campaign is a lost opportunity. While file names, tagging, and approval cycles are the main bottlenecks in creating visual content, turnaround times are absolutely vital. Teams sometimes spend hours on tedious, repetitive tasks that could be easily automated, leaving little time for innovation.

In e-commerce photography processes, where the Speed is essential to maintain a competitive advantage, this delay becomes particularly annoying. Missed deadlines can result in lost sales prospects, incomplete listings, or delayed introductions.

Statistics that highlight the problem

• According to studies, 40% of teams are spending more time on manual, repetitive tasks than they should be spending on creative work.
• 30% of e-commerce businesses cite slow visual production as a major obstacle to expanding their businesses.
• Automated systems can reduce time spent on manual tasks by up to 50%, which significantly improves turnaround times.

The solution

THEautomation is the solution to save time. Tools designed for studio management and e-commerce photography workflows can:

• Automate file naming, metadata tagging, and content organization.
• Enabling transparent workflows for resource approval and feedback.
• Reduce manual errors and speed up the entire production process.

Implementation

Identify time-consuming tasks

• Map each stage of your current workflow and note any repetitive or manual processes.
• Prioritize tasks that can be automated, such as tagging or renaming files.

Introduce automation tools

• Use systems like ShotFlow to automatically manage routine workflows.
• Deal with assets in batches in order to avoid manual adjustments.

Streamline approvals

• Set up shared platforms for a real-time feedback and faster approvals.
• Attach specific deadlines for reviewers to keep the process going.

Measuring results

• Track lead times before and after automation to assess improvements.
• Use this information to refine workflows.

6. Misuse of data

The problem

Each photo or video contains a multitude of metadata, such as file dimensions, keywords, tags, etc. This data is invaluable for organizing, researching, and analyzing content. However, most teams fail to exploit this potential. In the absence of appropriate systems, metadata becomes messy, inconsistent, or downright missing, turning a powerful tool into a chaotic mess.

This inefficiency affects visual content production and studio management, where thequick access to organized data is critical to smooth workflows.

Statistics that highlight the problem

• 50% of teams report having difficulty locating visual resources due to the disorganization of metadata.
• Centralized metadata systems can reduce search times by up to 80%, which saves countless hours.

The solution

The solution is to standardize metadata and to use tools that automatically label and organize resources. This ensures that each file is categorized correctly, making it easy to find and analyze when needed.

Standardization of metadata creates a system where the e-commerce photography workflow is not hampered by missing or inaccurate information.

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Implementation

Define clear metadata standards

• Develop a universal labeling system for your organization.
• Use predefined templates to ensure the consistency of all files.

Automating metadata processes

• Use tools that automatically label the assets when they are downloaded according to predefined rules.
• Integrate metadata management into your studio systems for seamless organization.

Conduct regular reviews

• Audit regularly metadata to detect inconsistencies.
• Train teams in the effective capture and use of metadata.

7. Limited visibility between teams

The problem

In the production of visual content, teamwork is essential. However, when teams work in silos, it's like an Arabic telephone game: tasks are repeated, deadlines are threatened, and important details are lost. The lack of visibility causes one department to ignore what the other is doing, leading to unnecessary delays and confusion.

La visibility is essential for studio management and photography workflows for e-commerce. Without a clear view of who is doing what, chaos is inevitable.

Statistics illustrating the problem

• Teams using shared dashboards are seeing an increase of 30% of their effectiveness.
• The lack of visibility is the main complaint of 45% creative teams, who say it leads to duplicated efforts

The solution

Les real-time dashboards and project management tools are changing the game. They provide a centralized space where everyone can keep track of tasks, resources, and deadlines. Visibility brings clarity, and clarity allows for smoother workflows.

Implementation

Adopt real-time dashboards

• Use tools that allow teams to monitor projects in real time, ensuring the transparency between departments.

Encourage cross-team collaboration

• Plan some weekly sync meetings to align goals and share updates.
• Create shared repositories where all team members can access resources and information.

Monitor projects and adjust

• Take advantage of the features ofparses to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
• Continuously refine workflows to strengthen collaboration.

8. Integration issues between tools

The problem

Teams often juggle multiple tools: DAM, PIM, CMS platforms, but these systems rarely work seamlessly together. This fragmentation forces teams to spend hours manually transferring data or resolving compatibility issues, slowing down e-commerce photography workflows and complicating studio management.

Statistics illustrating the problem

• 31% teams report significant delays caused by incompatible tools.
• Businesses that integrate their systems are seeing a reduction in 25% production deadlines and an increase in overall efficiency.
• 40% marketing managers say that fragmented workflows are hampering their ability to produce content at scale.

These numbers highlight the importance of a unified, user-friendly approach to integration for studio management and content flows.

The solution

To meet this challenge, teams need platforms that integrate fluidly to existing tools, creating a unified workflow. Systems like ShotFlow offer pre-configured integrations with DAMs, PIMs, and CMS platforms, ensuring smooth data transfer without manual intervention. This allows teams to:

• Automatically sync metadata and file names across tools.
• Eliminate the need for redundant data entry.
• Create a unique and reliable source for all assets and tasks.

With these integrations, teams can focus on creativity and strategy rather than fighting technological problems.

Implementation

Audit your current tools

• List all the platforms currently in use and identify the gaps in their communication.
• Identify workflows that require manual intervention, such as transferring data or renaming files.

Choose systems that are compatible with integrations

• Look for platforms like ShotFlow that offer fluid connections with DAM, PIM and CMS platforms.
• Ensure these systems meet the specific needs of your e-commerce photography workflows.

Test integration processes

• Make pilot projects to verify that the systems communicate effectively.
• Resolve any compatibility issues before fully deploying the new process.

Monitor and optimize

• Use analytics tools to trackintegrated workflow efficiency.
• Gather feedback from teams to refine the system and address any unexpected bottlenecks.

Conclusion

Managing the production of visual content in today's fast-paced, multi-platform landscape is no easy task. The challenges — from disorganized workflows to the need to adapt to platform specificities while maintaining brand consistency — can often seem overwhelming. But here's the good news: these “emergency situations” can be managed with good tools, strategies And a adapted state of mind.

Businesses can turn chaos into a streamlined process by understanding the problems, exploiting solutions likeautomation And the centralized systems, and by setting up step-by-step workflows. Whether it's improving your e-commerce photography workflows to deliver results more quickly or optimizing studio management for better collaboration, the path starts with small, intentional actions.

Success doesn't happen overnight, but the results are worth it. Imagine a world where your team spends less time looking for files and more time creating stunning visuals that captivate your audience. The result? One Stronger brand, of happier teams and, above all, of better results for your business.

If you're ready to take on these challenges head on, tools like ShotFlow and Orbitvu are there to help you. They are designed to simplify workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and ensure that your content is always optimized for success.