Good product photography is one of the most powerful tools in selling your products and enhancing your brand on an e-commerce platform. Humans are visual beings; we process information based on what we see. So, when it comes to selling a product online, having good quality photos is one of the most important factors for buyers checking out your brand.
Tell your brand story through your photos. For this, you must learn regarding how to do product photography for selling items online.
Your product images are a significant part of your overall brand presence, especially online. While factors like your website, social media presence, product design, and the actual quality of your products contribute significantly to your brand’s perception, your product images are also a significant piece of how consumers and buyers perceive your brand.
Your product images are the first impression most people get of your brand, so make sure they’re professional and consistent with how you want to be seen.
You should take all social media posts about your products seriously because having a beautiful photo increases engagement by more than double! Even if it doesn’t directly lead to sales, it’s still free advertising for your brand.
Here are some tips that will help you get the best photos for your online products:
1. Set up your product in a way that shows off the whole thing
The best photos show the full item and its features, not just parts of it. Set out all pieces or components you need for assembly and if possible, try to include accessories such as cords, chargers, batteries, and so on in your photoshoot.
2. Get creative with angles and lighting to get the best angle for your product shot
Lighting is essential in photography; it can make or break a photo. You need natural light when photographing products because artificial lights cast shadows on objects, making them harder to see clearly. So try setting up near windows where there are large areas of sunlight coming in. You can also use natural light from lamps and table lights, but be careful not to place them directly behind your product as this will create a shadow on the object you are photographing.
For digital photos, avoid using flash because it creates harsh shadows that ruin the overall look of your photo.
3. For best results, take several types of shots
Don’t just take one photo of your product; shoot several types of photos for variety, such as close-up shots and multiple angles to show different sides or views of the item. You can also take close-up photos with a size reference, as a coin or ruler, to give consumers an idea of how big your product is.
4. Always edit the photos
Once you’ve taken your photos, edit them before posting. You can use photo editing software like Photoshop or Lightroom to brighten and sharpen the images. It’s highly advisable to hire professional editing services to enhance the quality of your eCommerce product images.
If you were selling your high-end items in a mall or a luxury shop, you would also go to great lengths to make sure that the display area looks great and catches the eye of your buyers. The same holds when you’re selling at an eCommerce site.
5. Get a model or show photos of the products being used
Even if you’re selling products used at home, like small kitchen appliances or bathroom accessories, show how they work. People love seeing other people use items they plan to buy themselves, and it makes them more relatable and easier for consumers to imagine using their product. It also gives buyers a better idea of how the product works.
If you are selling products that are used outside, like sporting goods or outdoor gear, it’s a good idea to hire models. If possible, get professional shots where you can capture movement and interaction between people using your item. This will help viewers see how their lives could be easier and more fun by buying your product.
6. Avoid using a flash that creates harsh shadows on your products
Use only natural lighting (not indoors or in direct sunlight) for good, clear photos of all sides of an item. You might need to play with various angles and perspectives to get the best results. Feel free to use some props to make your main subject interesting. Such supports will enhance the overall look and feel.
You can play with shadows of such objects to create parallax effect or depth also. This kind of practice can lead to innovative photography techniques.
7. Use a tripod when photographing multiple items
Do not use objects to prop up one side of an object, creating strange shadows or reflections in the photograph. Use a good quality tripod to get proper focused object. It will also help you on uneven surface. One of the biggest advantage is to get a long exposure shot in a perfect manner. The stabilization helps to get slower shutter speed.
It also helps for continuous video shooting, even on heighted areas.
8. Do not zoom in on small objects, as this causes a blurry effect
Use clear, high-quality images to show your products at their best. A good camera with a macro lens will give you the sharpest and clearest photos possible of all sides of an item without taking it apart or moving it around.
Play with various lenses to get desired output. You need to keep a balance that you don’t destroy the main subject and maintain a subtle background effect. Learn about common Photography mistakes and avoid them in your photoshoot.
9. Do not take photos of products inside plastic or bubble wraps
This will make the images unclear and hard to see. Your customers won’t have a clear idea of what the product is for and what it looks like. Also make sure that they are water showered. It might look artistic, but may be irrelevant for posting as on online product.
The image must be crystal clear. Use appropriate background as per the color of the product. You need to balance the harmony, so that the product stands out in the image.
The quality of your images should stand out because there may be other websites selling the same items too. Having better photos can be the deciding factor that makes a buyer click on the ‘buy now button on your website, and it will also keep them coming back to your site for future purchases.