Photos are an obligatory element of a product card in an online store or marketplace.
High-quality preview photos draw attention to the position, encourage them to go to the card and keep the user in it for some time.
According to studies, more than half of users, when getting into the product card, first learn the images, even before reading the name and description of the product.
You need to take great photos of the product to convince the client to buy it.
On the Internet, a potential buyer cannot touch a thing, estimate its size, weight, and volume, or try it on, so photos’ attractiveness and variety play a significant role in making a purchase decision.
Lighting
An important part of product photography is proper lighting. One of the main requirements here (especially for “catalog” shooting) is minimizing shadows, particularly under the subject.
You should forget about shooting with your usual overhead lighting: you will have many unnecessary shadow problems with white balance and color reproduction.
If you are on a tight budget, you can shoot using natural light from a window. Of course, it is unpredictable, impossible to control, and, in general, not suitable for constant shooting.
But with natural light, you can take great photos. It is especially good if the window faces north or if, in your city, the weather is often cloudy.
Then you will get beautiful diffused light. If the light from the window is too harsh, cover the window with tulle, not very thick white cloth, or a sheet of paper. Do the shadows still stand out? Place white sheets on both sides of the object; the paper will soften the light.
The same trick can be done with a reflector.
Future Technologies
You can use an artificial intelligence tool to create product images faster, more efficiently, creatively, and, most importantly, relatively inexpensively. With it, you can create unlimited visually appealing images from just one product photo. A high-quality and aesthetically appealing visual will undoubtedly increase your brand awareness and increase conversions.
Side, Overhead, Bottom views
One photo, even the most successful, is not enough for high sales.
The product must be shown from different angles. However, there is a very important rule: additional photos should always carry new information for the user.
Therefore, in cosmetics or household products, one photo is almost always enough: there is not much to show from other angles, and there is no point in spending money on photos that do not provide additional information. In addition, when deciding how many photos you want to take, you need to consider the cost of the product.
If you make products with a small circulation or low-margin products, try to choose 1-2 of the most successful angles to show the product.
In Use And Context
Show the product in real-life conditions of use: in the hustle and bustle of the street, underwater, or on the beach. For clothing, demonstrate the product on the model and other wardrobe items.
Help the user visualize their future purchase and where and how your product will be used. A photograph in context helps to understand its size and scope.
The most powerful way to show a product’s length, thickness, or volume is to compare it to an item that the customer knows the exact size of.
Put something next to it or take a picture in the model’s hands if it’s a bag. If this is a dress on a model, indicate how tall the model is and what size clothes she wears. If your item is small, take a picture of it in your hand or place a coin or credit card next to it to show how thick the item is.
Your main task is to clearly explain to the client what size of the product he is buying.
Shoot With A Connected Monitor
Everything can be fine on the camera’s display, but you can’t make out minor flaws: something didn’t get into focus or come out right. Every detail is important here, just like when you take a photo for documents at Walmart passport photo service.
As a result, you will either spend a lot of extra time on retouching or have to reshoot again.
Prepare Your Subject For Shooting
Blow off dust and remove small dirt. If there are ugly scratches on the subject that would be difficult to remove in a photo editor, try to position the subject so that they are less noticeable.
Creativity
Props for artistic product photography can be found anywhere. Be creative and treat the picture as an analog of the lives of the great painters of the past: use grandmother’s crystal, napkins with embroidery or lace, and dry and fresh flowers.
Dare To Step Outside The Studio
Moss in the forest or asphalt on the street can be an ideal backdrop for various objects (but do not forget about competent work with lighting).
Try Shooting On Velvet
Not on velour, but on natural velvet: black, blue, or red. Yes, it is very expensive, but if you suddenly find it, you will not regret it. Velvet absorbs light, so you can place an item in direct sunlight without casting any shadow on the velvet itself.
Summary
Using photo-selling products opens up a lot of opportunities to increase sales. Be creative! Don’t limit yourself to rules. Use non-standard angles, additional items, interesting locations, and a unique background.
If you want to be one step ahead, approach product photos with intelligence and imagination.
We hope you have learned ideas from the article that you can successfully apply to an online store or marketplace.