Feature descriptors play a crucial role in image retrieval by representing images in a compact and discriminative manner. This survey paper explores various techniques for preparing feature descriptors used in image retrieval systems. We categorize the approaches into traditional handcrafted descriptors and deep learning-based descriptors. For each category, we discuss popular techniques, their underlying principles, and their advantages and limitations. We also provide insights into recent advancements and benchmark datasets used for evaluation. In order to help academics and practitioners choose the best strategies for their applications, this survey attempts to give them a thorough grasp of feature descriptor preparation methods in image retrieval.