Guide product shoot concepts with reference images in Firefly

Generate product backgrounds to pitch creative directions and finalize shoot details in Photoshop before production.

Published September 17, 2026

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00:01

Introduction: Build visual directions with reference images

[Cyn Lagos]: A perfume bottle lands on your desk.

It's perfect, but the campaign is still undefined.

We need a creative direction to pitch to our clients.

I'm going to use Firefly Boards to explore a few different creative directions first.

And then I'll let them choose the world they like best.

Hi, I'm Cyn Lagos, and today I'll be your visual mentor.

Let's get started.

I'm starting in Photoshop with the perfume image open.

From the upper-right corner, I'll select Share, then choose the option to send the image into Firefly Boards.

I'm starting in Firefly Boards because right now I'm not trying to make the finished campaign image.

I'm trying to clearly and intentionally visualize for my client the different worlds this product could live in, because some ideas are easier to show than explain in words.

On the right side of Firefly Boards, select the Adobe Stock icon.

Because the client is looking for something luxurious with a sensory edge, I want to explore three distinct creative directions that could bring that vision to life.

Direction A uses flowers and porcelain to create an unexpected texture you can almost touch.

For Direction A, I'll click into the search field and search flowers, and later porcelain.

Then I'll drag three references from the results onto the board underneath Direction A.

Next, I'll repeat that process for chrome and liquid under Direction B and desert textures and reflections under Direction C.

Think of these as your mood board.

These references help me shape and refine the visual language before I generate anything.

So instead of relying on the prompt to do all of the work, we're making intentional creative choices up front.

Now, I'm ready to turn these references into possible sets for our photoshoot.

For my first direction, I'll select Generate Image and click into the prompt field.

I'll describe the environment I want to explore.

A luxury fragrance set with porcelain flowers, soft studio lighting, and an open area in the center for our product.

That last part is important.

I already know the perfume bottle

02:09

Generate backgrounds designed around your product

needs to live here later on, so art directing the composition with that placement in mind is going to be valuable.

I'll also click on the Image icon to select inspiration from our mood board.

Once the results generate, I'll review the options and click place on the canvas to select one that communicates this direction best.

So here's a pro tip.

If one result is close, but you want to push the art direction a little further, I'll select that image.

In that Contextual taskbar, click Vary.

Then scroll down and choose Custom vary.

This creates fresh variations that preserve what's already working while exploring a more focused direction.

02:53

Explore variations while keeping your creative direction

For the chrome image, I'll add a new request like "Amplify the droplets."

Then I'll click Generate.

I'll place the variation directly onto my Firefly Board, then resize them by dragging the corners until they fit the layout.

Now I can evaluate the variation side by side as I build out my final three directions.

Once I have the worlds ready for this product, this board can also function as the pitch itself.

From Firefly Boards, I'll select the Share button in the upper-right corner of the screen.

From here, I can enter my client's email to send the board directly.

In this case, my client selected Direction A to move forward with the mockup for our production team.

Now we can return to Photoshop with confidence,

03:38

Share your concepts to align on a creative direction

blending the product image and the background together with greater precision and control.

In Photoshop, I have the original perfume image open.

Next, I'll go to File > Place Embedded, and select the background image we just downloaded from Firefly Boards.

In the Layers panel, I'll move the layer containing the perfume above the backdrop layer.

04:02

Put the product and background together in Photoshop

Next, with the perfume layer selected, I'll choose Remove background from the Contextual taskbar to isolate the bottle from its original backdrop.

Then I'll use the transform controls to resize and position it inside the open space.

Right now, our bottle and backdrop are technically in the same composition, but they still need to feel like they belong in the same world.

With the perfume layer selected in the Layers panel, go to the Contextual taskbar and choose Harmonize.

Photoshop gives me variations that help the product better relate to the lighting, color, and atmosphere of the new environment.

I'll review those options and choose a result that feels closest to the direction we established in our pitch.

If I want to add a high-res element to the composite, like another flower, I can use Generative Fill and describe the additional element I want here.

I'll pick this one.

This way the team has a clear visual reference for planning the props, the set, and what we want to experiment with during the photoshoot.

And here's one pro tip.

Instead of exporting the final concept to your computer,

05:06

Add set elements to finalize the shoot details

you can bring it back into your original pitch by selecting Share, then choosing Send to Firefly Boards.

And that's it.

We started with the same perfume bottle, explored three completely different worlds around it in Firefly Boards, aligned with a client on a direction, and used Photoshop to visualize that idea with more precision.

Try this workflow on your next creative pitch because getting the idea out of everyone's head and into something you can actually react to leaves a lot less room for gray areas and a lot more room to experiment when it's time to bring it to life.

Build visual directions with reference images

When a creative direction is still just an idea, it's hard to evaluate. Add your own images or Adobe Stock references to Firefly Boards to define a few possible creative worlds for your product, establishing the textures, materials, colors, and visual language for each direction.

Generate backgrounds designed around your product

Select reference images from your board and prompt Firefly to generate potential sets. Describe where the product will sit so each background leaves intentional space for the final composition.

Explore variations while keeping your creative direction

Compare your generated options, then use Custom Vary to develop a promising result further. Explore new variations while building on the visual direction you've already established.

Use Firefly Boards as your client pitch. Share distinct visual directions for feedback, then use the selected concept as a reference for planning the production and photo shoot.

Refine the product and background together in Photoshop

Place the chosen background around your product, then use Remove Background and Harmonize to bring the composite together. Match the product's lighting, color, and atmosphere to the new environment so the concept feels cohesive.

Add set elements to finalize the shoot details

Use Generative Fill to add props or other elements that complete the concept. The finished composite gives your production team a clearer reference for the set, product placement, and other details to plan for the shoot.

Tip: Instead of exporting your composite, use Share, then Send to Firefly Boards to bring the updated concept back into your pitch.

Author: Cyn Lagos
Adobe Stock Contributors: Tohamina; Pattadis; Sergo; siwaporn999; stone36; Fred; Remigiusz Góra; Rawpixel.com

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If enabled:

We can improve your experience by tailoring the site and the content to things we think might be of interest
We can better keep track of your preferences — like what language you prefer to use
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View transcript

Build visual directions with reference images

Generate backgrounds designed around your product

Explore variations while keeping your creative direction

Share your concepts to align on a creative direction

Refine the product and background together in Photoshop

Add set elements to finalize the shoot details

Try these tutorials with Photoshop