How to photograph for sale
Published: 01.06.2021
Since the beginning of the quarantine in 2020, businesses have shifted online. Online trading has grown significantly. Therefore, high-quality photos for sales are necessary for anyone conducting their activities online. Whether you run a blog, own an online store, or want to list your product on an online trading platform, photos are simply essential.
According to statistics, approximately 25% of returns occur due to the product not matching what was shown in the advertisement photo. Images help not only increase revenue but also save money on returns. Here are some tips to consider when photographing products:
Show the product from all sides
Use multiple angles to show the product as you see it. From above, at eye level, from a height - the more options, the better. This way, the buyer will have no questions left. Make sure to keep the camera and tripod in the same position during shooting. Rotate the product if you want to change angles. This ensures consistency and reduces the time spent editing the image after the photoshoot.
- Change the background
- Use window light instead of a lightbox
- Learn the basics of photo editing
- What is the ideal product image?
Experiment with positioning, use solid background colors besides white. The human body can also be a background, in the case of clothing or jewelry. However, distracting elements should be avoided. The goal is to showcase the product, not the model or the surrounding interior.
You can buy additional equipment, such as an LED lamp or a lightbox, and in the end it will cost more than hiring a professional. If you do not plan to constantly shoot products, you can get by with natural light for a few shots. Using artificial light requires skills. When using a lightbox, you need to learn about setting the aperture, exposure, ISO, and white balance on the camera.
Once you learn how to take amazing product photos, think about how to enhance the images. Adobe Photoshop provides full control over the appearance and style of the final image. Social media content creation programs allow you to adjust the photo using numerous filters.
The good image of a product depends on photography. For most products, a minimum of 3 photos will be needed to show it from all sides, for some items - more. The more detailed the product, the higher the cost or the more difficult to sell, the more confirming images may be needed to stimulate purchases.
For example, if you are selling nuts and bolts, 2-3 photos are enough. Of these three images, one should show a general view, another - close-up details and their quality, the last image demonstrates scale. If we are talking about fashionable clothing, a woman who wants to buy a new dress will need more photos.
From the great photos that you will definitely take, create a Light album. You don't need to print the photos separately. We will print your photos directly on the pages of the Light album. Upload your images to the free editor Mapi7 and create a themed Light album. You can upload photos from your phone.
Most clothing shoppers want to see several clear images of the dress both separately and on a model or mannequin to see how it hangs, as well as close-up shots of the item's details and how it will look when worn.
Regardless of the type of products you sell, product images should display:
1. A clear understanding of what the subject is;
2. Scale feeling, showing the size, proportion or area of application of the object.
3. Detailed photograph of the main features or key functions, which also demonstrates the quality of the item.
Working with these three basic types will help you create a strong foundational image library with product descriptions, as well as identify other necessary shots and features for demonstration. If you have many items that need to be photographed, make a list. This will simplify the process and make it more efficient.
What type of camera is needed for taking photos of products for sale?
To take good product photos, you don't necessarily need a professional camera. The cameras in most modern smartphones are good enough to compete with professional equipment, giving every online store the opportunity to take professionally looking photos for their shop.
Make sure that the camera you will be using produces good, clear images with a sufficiently large file size. If you need to take many detailed close-up shots of small objects, you may need special equipment. Although most high-quality smartphone cameras today are capable of macro photography.
It is also very important how you present the items you photograph; they should not only showcase the product, but also tell its story in a way that captures attention and conveys to the potential buyer the lifestyle or impression you want your product to create.
Cool photos deserve an unusual framing. Print your cool pictures in a Polaroid style. Fans of instant photography from the 90s can experience familiar feelings by holding a Polaroid-style photo in their hands. Those who are not familiar with traditional Polaroids will enjoy square images with space for captions.
Angles, shots, details that you focus on - all of this needs to be chosen with consideration for the buyers. Add props and accessories to enhance the shots, without distracting from the product itself. Don't forget to indicate the real size and scale of the items in the frame. Give customers an honest representation of the physical dimensions of the product.
Useful tips for online store owners
Here are a few key points to keep in mind when creating product images for online sales:
1. Make sure that the images are clear and suitable for use on the Internet. If one of the product images starts ranking in Google search and becomes a flagship when people search for that type of product, it will stimulate purchases.
2. Effectively demonstrate the key features of the object, including indicating size, scale, and unique selling points (USPs).
3. Show sketches of other products and make sure that the navigation and viewing are intuitively understandable.
4. Add appropriate alternative descriptions and tags for each image used.
5. Do not overdo it and do not edit the photos too much; focus primarily on obtaining high-quality images.
6. Develop a system for identifying each product and its description based on the captured images.
7. Always keep your finger on the pulse. If you notice that customers constantly ask the same questions or request more information about a specific thing, think about how you could improve your photo sets.
8. Look at your competitors and the types of images they are using. It's not worth blindly copying them. But you can definitely be inspired by successful ideas to improve the online presence of your e-commerce store.
For some types of products, not only online photos are needed, but also printed versions of catalogs. You can order a printed album in just a few clicks. Upload your best photos directly from your smartphone and we will print a photo book or catalog within 2 working days. Printing any quantity and delivery throughout Ukraine by courier service.
