Product photography tips

Photographs are a key part of the decision-making process for a customer. The quality of a photo reflects your product, and professional images promote engagement. So it's worth taking the time to get them right.

There are two main types of images that can be used to showcase your product. The first are clean-cut product images and the second are lifestyle shots that show your product being used in its intended environment or alongside complementing products.

Product images

These should include a variety of images showcasing your product. Images should be captured in their best light and from all relevant angles. Photographs help people to decide if they're going to be making a purchase, your customers can't touch your products on an online listing, but they do want to see them. These types of shots are best captured on a plain background so that the product is clearly visible, and if you have different colours for your customers to choose from you should make sure that you include an image of each. Most images on your product pages should be product shots, with a couple of lifestyle shots mixed in.

Lifestyle shots

These are images that show your product in context, and help customers to understand the use and scale. These type of shots tend to be most engaging to create clickthrough to your product. Utilise them to demonstrate your intended product use. Set the scene and be aspirational. Take your products to a setting that suits your product and brand, this is your chance to be creative. Where possible try to use generic props, or if relevant add in some of your other products to the background – they might want the set!

Photography tips

For those new to photography, your first product shoot may seem overwhelming, so we’ve put together a couple of pointers.

• Don’t worry about having the right equipment. Smartphone cameras are great, so if you get your lighting and background right your phone can do a good job. Just follow the same principles.
• Getting the right background is worth the effort, because it simplifies the editing process. For standard product shots use a plain coloured backdrop that complements your product, and use a white if you want blank backgrounds as it’s easiest to remove when retouching images. For a plain background you can use a roll of craft paper, or fabric sheet - but iron it first as you’ll see every crease.
• If you don’t have artificial lighting take advantage of natural lighting by placing your products near to a large window. If there is one deciding factor that defines the quality of your images, it’s light. If the light is too harsh you can diffuse it by placing a cloth over the window, and if the shadows are too harsh use white mount boards on either side of the object, helping to reflect some light and soften it. Don’t shoot in direct sunlight as this creates harsh shadows which detract from your product.

And trust your judgement. You've made these amazing things, and now you're trying to sell them. If you don't think your product images look great, the chances are your customers won't either. If you're trying to capture the colours and they don't look right then come back to it another time when the light is better. If you've got a beautiful bracelet that doesn't look as fabulous when it's lying on a table then get your friend to model it for you. Try and show off the things that you love about this creation in a way that will make other people love it too.