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Investing in high-quality eCommerce product photography is more than just a good idea – it’s a necessity. 93% of consumers considervisual appearance to be the key deciding factor in a purchasing decision. Higher quality photos lead to more sales, which means more money in your pocket.
But how to get high-quality product photos?
In this guide, we’ll teach you the simple tips and tricks to getting the best eCommerce product photography.
Hiring an expert to take your product photos is ideal, since a professional photographer can more than pay for herself through increased sales. However, for smaller businesses or those just starting out, paying the price tag for a professional isn’t always practical.
Luckily, taking quality photographs of products doesn’t have to be complicated.
To capture a good product photo, you’ll need a camera, a tripod, a table, a good background, and lights.
Let’s break down the setup.
To get professional-looking product photos without the professional, we recommend investing in a DSLR camera.
DSLR cameras have more settings than other kinds of cameras. You can adjust the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. You also can swap out different lenses depending on your needs. Since DSLR cameras typically have higher megapixels, photos also have a better resolution and look clearer.
If you’re a beginner, you may want to start with a DSLR with fewer bells and whistles. This camera still has the capability to shoot in manual so you can make fine adjustments. However, its auto mode is perfect for beginners. This kit is great because it comes with lenses, a tripod, and other photo accessories.
A key part of getting great shots in a DSLR is your lens. To shoot up-close details, we recommend a macro lens. For all other photos of your products, a 50mm length lens will do.
If a DSLR camera is out of your budget, point-and-shoot cameras and phone cameras can suffice with the right photoshoot setup and editing.
If you’re looking for a cheap camera for product photography, then you want this camera. This is going to be the best point and shoot camera for product photography you can buy. This camera is light, easy to use, and can take quality photos.
We keep recommending Nikon because they make quality cameras. This one has an impressive zoom function, 18 scene modes, and other features to produce a quality image at a more affordable price.
It’s impossible to keep your hands perfectly steady while taking photos, so we suggest stabilizing your camera on a tripod.
Here are some of our favorites.
A versatile tripod is the best choice for product photography, and this one swivels side-to-side as well as up and down. It’s lightweight, making it easy to transport, and has legs that can be individually adjusted to different angles.
This tripod is budget-friendly and effective. It only weighs 2.75 pounds, so it’s easy to transport. Its adjustable legs and rubber feet make it versatile for any shooting surface, even uneven or slippery ones.
If you’re shooting with a smartphone, you’ll need a tripod made especially for it. This tripod is inexpensive and comes with a Bluetooth remote control.
Alright, so we’ve got the camera, we’ve got the tripod. Next up: lighting.
If you’re lucky, you can place your setup near a large window with natural sunlight. However, the weather isn’t always agreeable, so it’s good to have studio lights as a backup. Below are some light options.
Using a light kit is an effective way to make your photos look professional. Have a light on either side of your product and angle them toward it to completely cover the item in light. If shadows are too intense, use a third light in the back to get rid of them. Choose a light kit that comes with lightbulbs, umbrellas, a case, light stands, and bulb sockets.
Here are a couple light kits we recommend:
To keep things simple, use a ring light. All you need to do is place the light directly in front of your product and it will diffuse it with a soft, even light. To make the light softer, increase the distance between the light and the subject.
Here are a few good ring lights:
A photo studio box is ideal for small products. It includes your light source and your background. To use it you turn it on, place your object inside, put your camera directly in front of it, and start shooting.
We recommend these studio boxes:
Don’t want to bother with ordering supplies piecemeal? We recommendthis kit for the entire set up. It includes three color backdrops, lights, and light accessories. Grabbing a pre-packaged kit like this one makes it straightforward to create your own mini studio.
Now that we’ve gotten all the gear, it’s time to set up a background for product photos. White is standard for a product photography background because it’s clean, simple, and makes your products stand out.
You have a few options when shooting product photography on a white background.
If you have photoshop, lay white paper flat on the table and secure white paper to the wall behind your product. This makes it simple to photoshop the line out of the photos.
If you want to avoid extra photoshopping, shoot on what’s called a ‘continuous background.
To create a continuous background for your product shots, you’ll need a roll of craft paper, some clamps, and a frame to attach the paper to.
While white is the standard for product photography backgrounds, feel free to experiment with different backdrops to emulate a countertop or textured surface. For example, thismarble backgroundis great if you’re aiming for trendy. Plus, this replica background is lightweight, easy to move, and much more affordable than a real marble countertop
The key is to use something that complements your product and emphasizes its features.
Try making your background yourself. This project is best for flat lay photography. Here’s what you need:
Here are the simple steps:
Another cheap option is to purchase large poster boards and fashion them together with tape to make your background. Then, edit out any lines in post-production.
For a flat lay, you could use thin fabric, like bedsheets. Make sure to iron them beforehand for a crisp-looking background.
Now that your setup is ready, it’s time to start shooting.
To make products really stand out, use a wide aperture while shooting to create a narrow depth of field.
Theaperture refers to the opening of your lens’ diaphragm where light passes through. It’s measured by f/stops and, as a general rule of thumb, the larger the number, the smaller the hole which allows for less light to pass through and the smaller the number, the bigger the hole which allows more light to pass through. You’ll want to set it to a small number f/stop like f/2.
Consumers want to see a product from different angles to get a real idea of what it looks like. Make sure to get shots of your product from all angles as well as shots of it at a distance so you can see the entirety of it. Detail shots are imperative, too, so be sure to zoom in and get clear images of product details.
Remmeber, depending on what angle you shoot from, you will need to adjust your lights accordingly to avoid heavy shadows.
Sometimes you’ve got to make do with the tools you have. Luckily, there are ways to make phone photography look as good as the pros.
If you’re taking product photos for an Amazon listing, there is a specific and stringentset of guidelinesyou must follow. We’ve come to know these guidelines intimately well through a series of trial and error, and we want you to learn from our successes… and mistakes.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t want to invest in the equipment? Then you may want to use an eCommerce Product Photography service.
Producing professional-looking product photos takes time and effort, but it’s worth it when you see your sales increasing. By following these tips, you can also list your products on other websites like Amazonand eBay.
Get started with some of our more affordable options and as your sales increase, consider investing in professional photography services to grow your brand. Trust us, if we can do it, so can you.
If you have any questions or comments, leave them below! We love to hear from you. And stay in the know by following us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Or send us an email– Larry always loves to hear from you.
Grace Treutel is Blue Summit Supplies' content marketing manager. She writes for work, writes for her blog, and when she's done with all that, she writes for fun. Her two finished novel manuscripts have not yet been published - but just you wait. Also, she has some kids and some pets. Find her online at How to Learn Your Twenties.
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