photographing items to sell

Consider also the various types of photos you can take: Studio shot - These are the shots that are most often used as the cover photo of an item. The more thoroughly you photograph an item, the more confidence a buyer will have about what they're getting. cabina express backdropexpress laurentiis giada capturate recuzita The other night I spent a considerable amount of time on Etsy searching for something very specific. Since people cant physically handle your product, youve got to make sure you show them everything there is to show. For example, Bimber Distillery showcases its whiskey in front of oak barrels. That said, you may not need the full spread of editing features for your work. I like to go into a shop, talk to real, living, breathing humans, face to face. If youre going for retro glamor, you may choose black and white or sepia tones instead. Use two-sided tape or dabs of glue to hold products in place as needed. Photo courtesy of Christine Soojung Han, If You Have More Than $1,000 in Your Checking Account, Make These 7 Moves, 10 Quick Steps Thatll Have You Managing Your Money Like A Millionaire, The 7 Biggest Money Secrets Most Rich People Wont Tell You, If Your Credit Score Is Under 700, Make These 6 Moves ASAP, 10 Ways to Make Extra Money If Your Rent Went Up This Year, What Is Business Casual Attire? Did you know that people form their first impression within a mere 50 milliseconds?! An even higher percentage, 62.3%, agreed that a brand featuring ordinary, real people were more likely to understand their customers. With Arqspin, you get a turntable and access to cloud-based editing account so that you can make all of your product photos 360 degrees. Afterwards you (or your graphic design friends) can edit out the line in Photoshop. . .

Use free tools like, Videos, for one, allow you to incorporate sound and motion into the online shopping experience. For many, the internet has been their teacher. Consider the feeling you want to evoke with each photo, and which color schemes, backgrounds, or props can help you get there. You can also grab attention by showing your products being used in unusual situations, like this: Ecommerce is a competitive game, so if you see an opportunity to stand out from the crowd, take it. Simply placing your product on a piece of glare free fabric (or paper) can be sufficient. Note that there are two main types of lighting that you can use: Soft lighting - Soft lighting creates a delicate, halo-like effect that illuminates the object from all angles. The answer is probably not. To produce quality images, you need to have the right equipment on hand. However, these softwares arent as simple as Download and Go, so you may need to look for some online tutorials on YouTube. Han, who started her business in a tiny apartment, began taking photos with a bedsheet as her background. This, as mentioned earlier can be achieved through DIY diffusers, reflectors, or a light box. Join over 700,000 stores worldwiderun and scale your eCommerce business on Wix. items Custom Domain Name Although Chen usually sands, paints and refurbishes the furniture she sells, this piece was in such good shape that she did nothing to it. The craftsmanship in a woodworked shelf, condition of hand-painted china or facets in a diamond ring can be seen only from close up. If you're photographing multiple items and want to keep things simple, consider buying a light tent (opens in new tab). Just aim powerful lights at the tent or take it outside on a bright day to ensure that your item is sufficiently lit from all sides. It's better to mention flaws outright and make sure they're visible in your photographs. If you're photographing an imperfect product, resist the urge to hide things like scratches, dents, and general wear and tear. If you're shooting an object that doesn't have an obvious size like a bag, vase, stuffed animal or sculpture try to include other props that people are familiar with. But there is a lot of work involved. Ecommerce product photos have a significant impact on consumers purchase decisions, but they dont need to put a significant dent in your budget. I am convinced that a good image can be a make or break situation for an online vendor. Lacey Johnson Light boxes have built-in screens to diffuse light and reduce shadows. In hard light, shadows have harder edges and greater definition. For example, place a pair of earrings on a jewelry hook, or place a box behind books to keep them standing up. Apple Pay. From Etsy to eBay, there are more places to sell stuff online than ever before, but few people know how to create professional-looking marketing photos. A sweep - A sweep is a clean, solid backdrop that removes any visual distractions from the background. In this article, well cover essential tips for taking the best product photos. This method will shine light on all the details of the product and eliminate any harsh shadows that can obscur details and edges of the product. The image below is a good example: The towel is still the focus of the shot, but because we can see someone using it, we can imagine ourselves in this situation. Better yet, you could hire a designer to help you. Especially if you hire models or photo production help, an efficiently-mapped schedule for a shoot based on strategic needs is essential to keep costs in control. From how-to demonstrations to livestream shopping events, videos can help to further, Consider also emerging tech like augmented reality. In order to maximize quality, spend some time getting to know your phones features, including manual controls. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Guide. To brighten up the dark areas, place a reflector (opens in new tab) or white card on the shaded side of your image. Taking photos of your products is not only an opportunity to showcase them, its also a chance to get your personality across. In this article, were going to give you 15 great product photography ideas to inspire you to take amazing photos of your products that will engage your customers and help you sell more. Examples of Chens clean photo styling can be studied on Instagram. If youre not familiar with controling depth of field check out this article from the DPS archives or simply switch your camera over to Aperture Priority and make sure your aperture (fstop) is dialed down to the lowest possible number your lens allows. Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. These days, even smartphone cameras can take amazing photos, so to really stand out and sell more, you need to think outside of the box. The trick is to attempt to be creative without getting out of control. So, take the time to set up the right shooting area. Setting standards will help ensure quality and consistency, while thinking through all the potential uses for imagery avoids the need to double back and re-shoot items due to lack of planning. - All rights reserved. | Do Not Sell My Personal Information If you need some inspiration, look to big companies with a similar look and feel to your store and see how they lay out their product page. First things first. Both Han and Sara Chen of the upcycled furniture company Sara Chen Design suggest keeping the background clean and neutral. She took some well-lit and aesthetically appealing photos and sold it for $595. While creative expression of brand identity is a top priority, you also want your photos to be versatile enough that you dont need completely different image sets for every channel and marketing opportunity. Logo Maker, Wix Payments Setup Privacy Policy and Terms of Service Chen suggests simple objects like a round mirror or a couple of white or black-covered books. Take a photo of that. Wix Point of Sale Researching and having a style of image in mind that you want to achieve makes it easier from the outset. I like to touch and feel my purchases. While natural light works in some circumstances, this type of lighting can change over the course of a session, so its not always optimal for capturing pure product photos that require consistency and detail. Lighting was the first piece of advice that Chen offered. If it's a piece of furniture, incorporate it into a beautifully decorated room. Hard lighting - Hard lighting adds more contrast between the light and the shadows. What makes your piece special? Another great option to create soft lighting: buy or create your own reflector. But dont worry, were about to let you in on some tips to make bank on. Build your eCommerce business and sell on multiple sales channels, including web and mobile storefronts, social media channels, online marketplaces and physical retail locations. If you're selling artwork, put the print inside a nice frame and shoot it hanging on a wall. Your product category and your audience may dictate which types of photos are most important. Remember to turn off any indoor lights, which may give your image a yellow cast. But as new visual tools emerge, your photo strategy should adapt and complement new offerings. Product photography 101: how to take product photos that sell, In this article, well cover essential tips for taking the best product photos. Green plants can liven up your food product photo and make your item feel fresh. Discover how to, Essential equipment for product photography, How to take high-quality product photos: 10 expert tips, The color of your background can evoke various emotions. Sometimes within this process, you might realize that it would be better to photograph your items separately, or vice versa. And it makes for a more interesting photograph, which of course makes for more engaged customers! Since Google cant actually see what your image is all about, you need to explain what the image is by adding alt text. Theyre passionate about their businesses selling vintage clothing or refurbishing vintage furniture, but theyre self-taught. A low f-stop will help blur the background and make your subject pop, but it's also important to keep key elements in focus. Thats not for everybody and it really becomes a distraction. For example, The load speed of your product pages is crucial for both the user experience and, Compressing your images can further help to crunch the file size down. If youre selling products that are small or wont stand up, use your props to support the product. Aesthetically oriented social media sites like Instagram show images in a grid pattern, so its important to have a background that you can replicate each time. Shooting with a single, diffused light source creates a soft shadow to one side of your subject. Use your editing software to resize your image or tools like Wixs built-in image editor. With the above considerations in mind, create a shot list. This way, the brand begins to sell more than just a towel. eCommerce Templates

Instead of shooting the objects lumped together against a plain background, try orchestrating a still life to make the products come alive. Knowing how to shoot a good photo and arming yourself with the necessary tools are essential preliminariesbut theres another crucial step to take prior to snapping pictures: develop an overarching product photo strategy. Weve talked a lot about what you should place around your products. Chen uses white walls as her backdrop, but in the last year, she has spruced it up by adding board and batten wood paneling to her staging wall. Chess and playing the guitar are hobbies that have devoted followers, so macro shots like this are sure to ignite some fond memories for them that will heighten their intent to buy. Its great for highlighting intricate products. For example, if youre selling a custom apparel for urban warriors then a photo like this might work: Or, if youre selling slippers, your customers want to relax. The Wix eCommerce platform provides businesses with all the professional tools and services they need to sell online and in-store. By placing the product in the background of the shot, rather than as the main focus, you can show it in its intended environment and spark the imagination of your prospective customers, like the prints in this image: Freeze frame photographs are downright cool. If your competitors arent doing this, then this will help you get ahead and sell more. A post shared by Sara | Charlotte, NC (@sara.chen.design).

Creating great lighting for advertising photos requires little more than a window. She is based off of the North Shore of Oahu and out of Gilbert, Arizona. Better yet, consider how you can incorporate user-generated content (UGC) on your site, not just on social media. Its the presentation, the first way a shopper sees your product. Have more tips? New York, Often, entrepreneurs who start an online business arent photographers. According to research by Toluna, more than half of people connect more with media that features real people. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 2022 The Penny Hoarder. Dont overcrowd your product pages with unnecessary information that will draw away from the product.

Follow our 12 simple tips to transform your advertising images from amateur to amazing. Not only are they equipped with hardware thatll allow for high-quality, detailed photographs, but newer phones have tons of features to help optimize your images. Business Email Once you have your camera set up on a tripod, you can use a countdown timer or a remote (if you have one) to snap pictures without accidentally jostling anything. This is how Sticky Lemon uses lifestyle shots to show the same product as above in use. You can find what that width is by right clicking on any product image of your site, clicking Inspect, and viewing dimensions in the Styles panel. If glare and shadows are too harsh, soften light with a diffuser like a white flat sheet, paper, or white garbage bags. In the example below, TripleRComposites draws attention to a customers Instagram handle, rewarding the customer with free promotion while showing their automotive styling parts in action. You'll look more professional if customers can't see your messy living room in the background. Discover other eCommerce tech trends that are reshaping the industry. More than 100 million consumers are already shopping with AR, according to Snapchat, which reports 94% higher conversion rates from AR-driven shopping experiences. A picture is worth a thousand wordsbut a great product photo can be worth even more to your bottom line. There was a problem. If you don't have a camera that lets you control your settings, you can achieve a similar effect using Portrait mode on the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, which use two lenses to create a blurred-background effect. The rule of thumb should be, if your staging is distracting from your product, or if your eye isnt immediately drawn to your product, but first drifts to another part of the image, then you need to back off of the staging. This is an opportunity to play around with your photography skills, have fun, and most importantly, make a lasting impression. Make sure to shoot the top, bottom, inside (if it opens) and all sides of the object you're selling. Han found natural light to be too fickle. Soft lighting is the more commonly used type of product photography lighting. You can also connect with Natalie via Twitter or on Facebook. So she bought soft boxes for light and studio lighting for about $100 and that upgraded her lighting set-up. Try shooting with a variety of f-stops to see how it affects the depth of field in your photo. This should be a 2-3 word description of the product. If youre buying a tripod for your smartphone, you can spend between $20 and $60 for a decent one. Photo manipulation is very useful if you want to get across your products core offering in a clever and memorable way. She made almost $550 off of the dresser with little additional work. Chen has a space in her house specifically designated for staging, a luxury not everyone has. While you can try to minimize the impact this has on your look, you can also lean into it and let the stand add an element of excitement to your product photos. If you have a DSLR, consider using a macro lens to take your product photography to the next level.

When Han first started, she used props in some of her photos, like pampas grass or a stool. Shooting from above is a popular choice because it eliminates any prominent perspective and instead requires the viewer to give their complete attention to the subject of the photo: Using a reflected surface adds a little extra something to an otherwise straightforward product photo. Consider using props or decorative materials to enhance product qualities or even brand values. If those reasons arent enough, 80% of surveyed consumers say that they use UGC to make purchase decisionssuggesting that UGC is 6.6x more impactful than branded content. Sometimes we get so caught up in the concept were going for as photographers that our judgment can become clouded. Try reducing your image to fit the width of your screen (or in developer speak, your image container size). This includes finding the right camera, a tripod, and some artificial lighting if you want to be really professional. When customers identify with the personality of your brand, it strengthens your relationship and can encourage a sense of loyalty in them. 2006 - 2022 Digital Photography School, All Rights These are very evocative photographs that are supposed to awake our senses and encourage us to buy. With a careful strategy and a few key equipment purchases, you can build a library of effective photos that convey key product information, build brand identity, and earn sales. As an example, Sticky Lemon clearly displays its products against a bare, solid colored background. Demonstrative shot - Similar to a lifestyle photo, demonstrative shots show your product in use. Platforms like Wix eCommerce support 360-degree photos, which can help you tap into this trend. Sometimes, they dont even have a background in a creative industry and its unlikely they will have camera equipment beyond their smartphones. What is she trying to achieve with this photograph? Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Set up some products using our Shopify App, order some samples and use these tips to get great product photos. I cant even believe that Im forced to point this out. If you don't have access to natural light, you can always mimic window light by using a single, diffused light source. Imagine your custom-branded mug in a shot like this?

If you are photographing multiple items together, rearrange them as many times as you can to find the best fit. Double Oak Tack, which sells high-end used saddles, takes care to show their saddles at every angle: front, side, back, birds-eye, wide, and close up. If you want to grab someones attention, this is how. If you don't have a reflector or white card handy, you can improvise with aluminum foil or sheets of printer paper. As the name suggests, this is a checklist of all the individual photos you want to takecomplete with details on the various angles, arrangement, and settings you want to shoot. It sells adventure, relaxation, and sunshine. Whatever item you place inside will be evenly lit and look like it's in a tiny studio. Chens photos might sound perfect from the first take. However, these are specifically meant to show how to properly use our item. In essence, what story is she telling with the photograph. To manipulate your photos, like this: You will need use of an editing software like Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. Chen doesnt like to use artificial lighting, because she finds it changes the color of the furniture in photos. A few basic equipment will do: A smartphone - The most recent generations of smartphones have excellent photography capabilities. The photographer here has truly created a scene in which to host the product. When you feature people in your product photos, it speaks to your ideal customers. published 24 September 17. How will images embody my brand? Think through how your photos will work on mobile, third-party marketplaces (which each have their own image requirements), and various mediums (e.g., print versus digital). Using props is another way to help your customers imagine the different ways that your product(s) will be of use to them. How the light comes through your window will change by season and time of day. Remember: 99.9% of the time what we think is going to be catchy ends up being a turn off to buyers as it simply looks cluttered and distracting. For example, if youre photographing handmade pottery, indicate that certain shots are meant to showcase the craftsmanship in the handle of your clay teapot. Alternatively, some photos will shine against a background thats more dynamic. By Having a model wear the product (if applicable) rather than just photographing it lying lifeless on a table can add dynamic. Be specific about the intent behind each photo.

You will receive a verification email shortly. Just be careful not to damage the thing you're selling in the process. Consider also emerging tech like augmented reality. is a writer and a lifestyle wedding and portrait photographer who shoots across the globe. I know its our tendency to attempt to grab the buyers attention by utelizing our creativity to create a catchy image. The soft, natural light will minimize harsh shadows and give whatever object you're photographing a fresh, airy quality (as long as the sun isn't shining directly in). Dont forget to add alt text to all your images. Just be sure that any DIY light diffusers are fire-safe. Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements in such a way that they complement each other. Not to say that theres no good in staging. Videos, for one, allow you to incorporate sound and motion into the online shopping experience. A light box (optional) - Depending on the size of your products, you may want to place them in a light box (aka a light tent, macro photo studio, or light cube) to ensure theyre positioned optimally between light sources. Images of suspended products look impressive and whilst it will take some effort and trial and error to get right, you can take a photo like this by using some clear fishing line. Geraldine is a marketing writer for Wix eCommerce. How to Straighten a Crooked Image in Photoshop (Step By Step), 5 Lightroom Tips and Tricks (to Revolutionize Your Editing), How to Convert to Black and White in Lightroom (Quick Guide), Just-Released Lightroom Updates: Video Editing, Adaptive Presets, and More, The Most Popular Digital Cameras (in 2022). Or, if you sell sustainably-made soaps, displaying your products with plants in the background on a wood soap dish can show how your brand is aligned with the natural world. She might try different lighting or a different background to highlight the piece. Discover other. There are many ways product photos can communicate your brands identity. It may seem like a no-brainer, but you should take a moment to clean or polish the item you're selling before you start photographing it. Instead, let two eCommerce gurus guide you through the art of putting your best foot forward photographically speaking, that is. You dont necessarily need to whip out a pricey DSLR camera to get started. Obviously this includes any kind of mess or clutter that is in no way related to the product, but also, this applies to elements youre tempted to add to the image just for the sake of creativity. And you can do this with amazing photos of your products. For example, dont sell the beer, sell a good time: This photo is also great because it shows the product in the environment that it is intended to be used in. A a simple complimentary pattern may add a little punch without feeling too busy. Photo manipulation is the first technique on our list so far that you will need more than just a camera to pull off. With clothing, much of that comes down to style: do you want something moodier with shadow or do you want crisp and clean images? The Wix eCommerce platform provides businesses with all the professional tools and services they need to sell online and in-store. Im finally starting embrace the fact that just maybe, my brick and mortar passion is going to have to become a thing of the past. Interested in joining the world's leading print on demand platform? Start by turning off your flash. The walls of a light tent are usually made of translucent fabric and include an opening for you to poke your lens through. Bokeh is a blur effect and most people use it to create a background like the one seen here: To find out how to do this, read How to Achieve Nice Bokeh. You can attach the top of your sweep to a purpose-built frame, the wall, the back of a chair, or the back of a lightbox. Group shot - Showcase multiple complementary items. Han will often reshoot a piece that hasnt sold after some time. This may take a bit more time, but it's guaranteed to catch buyers' attention. The Camera Diopter: What Is It, and How Can You Use It? Take advantages of other optionssuch as Wixs built-in photo editor, available to all Wix merchantsbefore splurging. Developing a consistent shot list for every product builds trust: shoppers know they can count on you to communicate vital information in each photo set. This can either be a room that has lots of windows, or one spot of your workspace where you can control the lighting easily. However, alongside macro shots, its also important to include full shots of your products. The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Adding text can also help reduce returns and complaints. As opposed to focusing on product details, these images let customers imagine themselves enjoying the product. We won't share it with anyone, 8 Tips for Breathtaking Forest Photography, 7 Tips for Beautiful (and Meaningful) Engagement Photography, Weekly dPS Photography ChallengeYour Choice, 10 Tips for Stunning Street Market Photography (+ Examples), Upcoming: Nikon Full-Frame Camera and Lenses to Be Released in 2022, Mylio Photos Review: Manage All Your Images in One (Safe!) No one wants to see someone else's fingerprints, dust or crud on a product. This warms up the overall photobut since the background is blurred and darkened, the eye still gravitates towards the product first. Still photos have their advantages: theyre easy for shoppers to use and dont need a lot of internet bandwidth. Take some extra time when setting up your shot to remove any distracting background elements.

**Given the fact that few online vendors are also skilled photographers with fancy lighting set ups, were keeping things super simple by using natural light. She uses her broad experience in journalism, publishing, public relations and marketing to create compelling content and loves hearing user success stories. It doesnt matter what youre selling, from beer to hoodies, product aesthetics matter. For more information on this, take a look at our article: Building a Product Photography Set-Up. She found the props to be distracting, so now she models the clothes in most of her photos and adds accessories to the outfits. The color of your background can evoke various emotions so try to think about your target audience too. Photograph your product there in the soft difused light.

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photographing items to sell

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