Starting an eCommerce business can be a daunting task as there are so many things to think about! One important aspect of any online store is product photography.
Good product photos can make or break a sale, so it's important to get them right.
Here are some useful pieces of advice for eCommerce photography beginners.
Use Multiple Products
Your store is probably selling various types of products, and utilizing this feature can get you a long way. Using only one item is one of the most common mistakes made with product photography as you can easily make your life easier and your photos more attractive to potential customers. Combining the right products together can provide better context and allow the customer to visualize using those products in their own life.
Using multiple products gives you a great opportunity for styling, mixing, and matching colors and patterns, as well as using props that fit with the theme of your product. It’s also beneficial to incorporate other items from your store such as accessories, furniture, or decor items that can be used to complement the product you’re photographing. This will create a unique environment around your product and help create a connection with the customer using lifestyle photography.
Additionally, using multiple products helps tell a story about your brand and creates an engaging experience for your customers. By using props and incorporating other products into your eCommerce photography, you can showcase how different items work together in creative ways and highlight how all of the products are interconnected within your store.
Gear Up
You will need a lot of high-quality equipment if you want your photo sessions to go over smoothly. These are the following things:
- Camera: Invest in a good camera to get the best quality photos. A digital SLR or mirrorless camera is usually recommended for experienced photographers, while a point-and-shoot is great for beginners who are just learning how to take eCommerce photos.
- Lens: You will need different lenses depending on what type of photo you’re taking, so make sure to stock up on a few different ones. A good 50mm or 35mm lens is great for close-up shots and portraits, while something like an 18-200 zoom lens can help you take wide-angle shots of items in your eCommerce store.
- Tripod: It’s important to have a tripod when taking eCommerce photos to ensure the camera stays still and the photos are crisp and clear.
- Light: Invest in some good lighting equipment such as softboxes, umbrellas, or diffusers to make sure you have a variety of options. Natural light is usually best for product photography so try to stick with that when possible.
- Props: Props can help you create interesting scenes and make your product photos stand out. Look for props that are in line with the product you’re photographing to get the most out of them.
Gearing up is essential if you want to take successful eCommerce photos. The right equipment can make all the difference, so it’s worth investing in the right gear for your needs.
Plan Ahead
You have to make a thorough plan before you start executing the eCommerce photography. Planning ahead is essential for a successful result because it helps you to focus on the most important aspects of your project and prevents costly mistakes.
For example, planning ahead allows you to choose the right location for your photo shoot, which can make a huge difference in the quality of your photos. It also ensures that all elements of your shoot are organized and accounted for, such as props and models if needed. Additionally, planning ahead helps to create a timeline so that each step of production remains on track - this way you avoid any delays or snags in the process.
Finally, planning ahead is a great way to make sure you stay within budget. By planning out your expenses in advance and understanding the costs upfront, you can more effectively manage the resources available to you while still producing excellent eCommerce photography.
Post-production
Take extra effort during post-processing to make your product photography look even better. Post-production is the process of transforming a photograph into something more aesthetically pleasing and professional looking, which can help draw customers' attention to your products. This includes things like color correction, retouching, edge sharpening, removing distractions from the background, adjusting contrast and brightness, adding shadows or reflections, etc.
All these techniques will add an extra level of polish to your eCommerce photos and make them stand out from the crowd. Take some time to experiment with post-processing options so that you can find a style that best suits your eCommerce photography needs. A few post-production tools that are popular among photographers include Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Skylum Luminar.
ECommerce companies need to have perfect photos of their products and one of the best tricks is to use multiple props at once. Gear up well because you want all the best equipment for your high-quality photos. Additionally, make sure to plan ahead and take your time during post-processing!
