17/06/2020
Product Photography Tips to Make You Look Like a Pro
For ecommerce businesses, high-quality product photography is a key to sales: 93% of consumers consider visual appearance to be the key deciding factor in a purchasing decision. So let’s dive into some simple product photography tips and techniques that will take you from novice selfie photographer to almost-professional business photographer.
1): USE PROPER LIGHTING
Let’s start with product photography lighting. Without proper light, neither your product nor your background is going to appear how it does to you in person. “A white background without light doesn’t appear white in the photo, it appears grey,” says Tony Northrup in an article for the Digital Photography School.
There are two options for product photography lighting: studio lighting and natural lighting. The product that you’re photographing, the purpose of the photo, and the platform on which you’re advertising it will help you decide which setup to go for. Natural lighting can work really well for product photographs featuring edible items, people, and clothing, and these natural looking photos can work well in social media contexts, like Instagram.
If you’re photographing inside, you will want to set up your product facing a window so that you are gaining all the natural light that comes through. On the other hand, if you are able to photograph your products outside, do it! The best times to do this are early morning and late afternoon when the sun is out, but is not too harsh. Slightly overcast days are also preferable. If you take out your shoe inventory at noon when the sun is beating down, you are going to get a lot of glare in your snaps.
On the other hand, if your product is primarily used indoors (e.g., cookware), features small details (e.g., artwork), or is being sold on Amazon and Google Shopping, then artificial product photography lighting is preferable. Luckily knowing a few basics and building a simple studio setup can help you get over your intimidation of light.
Using artificial product photography lighting may seem intimidating, but it’s necessary for those of you advertising on Amazon and Google Shopping.
2): USE A TRIPOD
Tripods might sound like a nerdy, unnecessary piece of technical equipment, but they make a huge difference in the clarity and quality of your product photography. And they are not necessarily expensive or difficult to use!
Tripods are essentially stands that stabilize your camera from your shaky hand. Using a tripod will ensure a reduction of blur, which is critical if you want your product photographs to look professional and high-quality.
Whether you are using a fancier DSLR or a simple iPhone, there are many tripods on the market in varying price ranges for every type of camera out there. Go on Amazon and get one for your camera. It is 100% worth taking the extra minute to set up a tripod for better looking product photographs.
3): TAKE INSPIRATION FROM BRANDS YOU LOVE
It is always helpful to look to others for inspiration. You likely already have some brands in mind that you love. Take a look at their product photography and ask yourself how a similar shot or technique could work for your products.
For instance, imagine you’re operating a local women’s boutique. Look up your favorite women’s clothing brands on Instagram and reflect on what you love about their product photos.
4): PUT YOUR PRODUCT IN CONTEXT
It’s important that your prospective customers are able to envision themselves using your product. After all, if someone sees photos of your product online and can’t easily picture herself using it, why would she buy it?
Typically, before anyone with limited disposable income buys something, he or she needs to feel confident that the product will improve daily life in some way.
It’s difficult to envision yourself using certain products when they’re removed from context. For example, someone who’s in the market for a couch to furnish his new apartment likely can’t see himself using one that’s advertised simply sitting against a blank background.
Alternatively, he can very easily envision himself using a couch that’s advertised in the context of a home.