10 tips to improve your ecommerce product photography

The world of photography can seem difficult and complicated, because there are so many different ways to take a good photo, and so many factors to consider… This is especially true in product photography, which presents a lot more information to a potential customer than a long description. This type of photography shows the colour, texture and, more importantly, the dimensions of the item. I would like to show you what a well-made product photo should look like. Discover 10 tips to improve your e-commerce product photography.

Why is it important to have good product photography?

Let me ask you a question. What do you pay the most attention to when browsing online shops, classifieds sites or product catalogues? I suspect the answer is clear, the pictures! The first thing that attracts a buyer’s attention and determines their interest in a product are the photos. They are a business card to get to know the price and parameters of the product. Why is it so? Because most people are visual learners. Moreover, everyone chooses according to their subjective taste. This is how the human brain works and it is not likely to change soon, so it is worth using this feature for your business. How, you ask? By offering potential customers high quality, professional product photography.

1. Prepare the equipment and the place

In theory, all you need to get started as a photographer is a willingness and a camera. In practice, however, you’ll also need a place where you can work in peace. Make sure you have a camera or a good mobile phone, a backdrop and a blender (i.e. a reflective screen that helps to illuminate the subject).

2. Prepare your product

Do you want the photo to sell the product? Let it present it in the best way possible! I know that the actual shooting is the most fun part and you often look forward to it, but taking the time to prepare really pays off. Clean, wash, dust off your item, then iron, straighten or unfold it, and finally display it properly.

3. Don’t forget the tripod

Many people think at first that they can manage perfectly well without one. And they are all wrong. A tripod is your best friend if product photography is to look professional. The closer you zoom in, the harder it is to hide your hand, which can show up later in insufficiently sharp photos.

4. Take care of the light

Good light will bring out the qualities of your subject, while bad light will spoil even the most beautiful composition. So how do you ensure good lighting for your photos? First of all – lights. You can invest in a professional lighting kit or use lights that you have at home.

5. Think about your lenses

Many people are surprised to hear that the lens is more important than the camera, but it’s true. If you want to move forward and develop your skills but have to choose between a new camera or a lens for your old one, the latter option will give you a lot more options.

6. Learn basic graphic design

While this may sound complicated or time-consuming to some, it’s worth taking the plunge and picking up a tutorial on how to use a graphic editing program. It really doesn’t take long to learn basic things like how to improve brightness and contrast or how to crop, and your new skills will significantly improve the quality of your photos. Nicely finished photos mean crisper colours, more visible detail and delighted customers, and from there it’s just a few clicks to finalise the purchase.

7. Use different backgrounds and props

Who says the background of a photo always has to be white? Once you feel confident with your camera and unsatisfied with ‘normal’ photos, go for a new colour or texture. The same goes for accessories, with which you can create eye-catching compositions. Here the range of possibilities is even wider, because literally everything can be a prop for the session.

8. Take lots of shots

Take lots of different shots, change the angle. Take pictures from a distance, from above, from below, on the model, in the box and without, take pictures of the details themselves, the different colour variations and the gadgets included. You’ll see which parameters work best, minimise the risk of having to repeat the shoot and have a large database of images so your customers can see the item from all sides.

9. Watermark your images

You’re investing a lot of time into your store’s product photography. Consider watermarking your product photos to prevent people who sell the same (or similar) products from using your photos without permission.

10. Personal Touch

Another aspect worth mentioning is the originality of the photos. For your sales to increase even more, the photos on your website must not only be professional, but also stand out from the competition. How do you achieve this? By adding a certain personal touch. For example, these could be photos showing how you produce or prepare products. It is also interesting to add photographs showing you or your employees with products.

How to improve e-commerce product photography?

Visual content plays a remarkable role in communicating with users online, so once again I stress that it deserves your attention. Good product photography will increase sales, so make sure it appeals to your customers. If you’re looking for professional advice and photo shoots – write to me. Together we will take care of your online shop!