Be strategic with your photos, too.
You start with a creative strategy when developing concepts for your advertising and design pieces. Apply that same process for stronger photography. Who is the target audience? Who are you competing with? What’s the objective, the rational appeal, the emotional appeal, the tonality?
A good example is the difference between real estate photography and architectural photography.
Building a shot list.
Building a shot list is more than making a list of products. It should also take into consideration time of day, time per shot, location and number of views/scenarios needed and talent. An experienced art director can help develop a focused shot list that takes these things into account. It seldom all goes exactly according to plan and you have to be adaptable. A shot list is a goal and it's good to try and leave a little breathing room in it because you'll probably need it.