A Beginner’s Guide to Clothing Photography for E-commerce

Are your clothing products not selling as much as you’d like on your e-commerce store?

The problem could be poor product photography.

But don’t worry, you’re in the right place!

From choosing the right equipment to nailing the perfect lighting and styling, I’ll show you everything you need to know about clothing photography for e-commerce.

So, this guide takes your e-commerce business to the next level with high-quality, eye-catching clothing photos that will entice customers to hit that “buy” button.

Choosing the Right Camera and Equipment for Clothing Photography in E-commerce

Taking Clothing photography with a Digital camera — *A girl is taking clothing photographs for her e-commerce store with a digital camera*

Capturing high-quality images is the most crucial aspect of e-commerce clothing photography.

Therefore, understanding the best options for cameras and equipment that are suitable for clothing photography is important.

Don’t worry, I’d love to share all the necessary knowledge to help you choose the right option for your clothing product photography.

Let’s dive in!

· Best Camera for Clothing Photography

The best camera will depend on your specific needs and the budget of your clothing photography shoot.

The following options are commonly used in my clothing photography for e-commerce stores;

1. DSLR Cameras:

Canon EOS Rebel T7i and Nikon D3500

Offer a wide range of features, such as manual control over exposure and focus, and the ability to change lenses
Typically have a high resolution, which is important for capturing fine details in clothing

If you are interested, you can compare the price of this Canon camera with the price of this Nikon camera first. Hope it’ll help you to come up with the best decision.

2. Mirrorless Cameras:

Sony Alpha a7 III and Fujifilm X-T4

Offer many of the same features as DSLR cameras
Smaller and lighter than DSLR cameras, so it makes it easier to handle and transport

3. Point and Shoot Cameras:

Canon PowerShot SX620 HS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300

More budget-friendly option
Easy to use and can still produce a high-quality image

May not have as many manual control options as DSLR or mirrorless cameras.

However, the iPhone is also a good option for budget clothing photography for e-commerce.

Taking clothing photographs with an iPhone — *A girl is taking clothing photographs for her e-commerce store with an iPhone*

Wanna ditch the bulky camera and use your iPhone for e-commerce clothing photography?

Look no further! Our guide How to take pictures of clothes to sell with an iPhone will teach you all the tips and tricks for capturing stunning clothing images with just your iPhone.

· The Right Equipment Based on Budget and Desired Image Quality

1. Lens

Investing in a good quality lens is important for capturing fine details in clothing.

A 50mm f/1.8 lens is a great budget-friendly option that is also versatile and can be used for a variety of photography styles.

2. Lighting Equipment

Good lighting is crucial for showcasing the intricate details and textures of fabrics.

A clothing photography with a model using a softbox — *Clothing photography with a model using a softbox to achieve the desired lighting effect*

A softbox or umbrella lighting kit is my favorite option, as it provides soft, even lighting.

3. Tripod

A Woman in a brown tank top and pants posing in front of a smartphone setup a tripod — *A woman in a brown tank top and pants posing in front of a smartphone mounted on a tripod*

A tripod is essential for keeping the camera steady and reducing camera shake, which can cause blur in your images.

4. Backdrop

Sneakers on white backdrop — *Sneakers on the white background*

A clean and simple backdrop, such as white or black seamless paper, can help to make the clothing stand out and reduce distractions in the background.

Check out my article on Backdrop Ideas for Clothing Photography and get some inspiration on how to make your product images stand out with visually appealing backgrounds!

It’s also important to consider your budget when selecting equipment.

While high-end equipment can produce excellent results, it’s not always necessary to break the bank.

How to Create the Perfect Lighting for Your Clothing Photography in E-commerce

The girl is taking clothing photography with ring lighting — *A girl who uses both natural and ring light for her e-commerce clothing photography*

Several different lighting setups can be used for clothing photography, including natural light, studio lighting, and flash.

1. Natural Light

Sandals photograph taking using natural lighting — *Gray slip-on sandals over the rock*

Natural light can be used to create soft, natural-looking images, but it can be difficult to control.

2. Studio Lighting

Man posing for a clothing photo inside a studio — *A man posing for a clothing photograph in-studio*

Studio lightings, such as softboxes, umbrellas, and artificial lights as LED, and ring lights can provide a more consistent and controllable light source.

3. Flash

Using flash lighting in studio clothing photography of a model — *Flashlights are used in a model’s clothing photography*

Flash can be used to add a pop of light to an image or to fill in shadows.

· Choosing the Best Lighting for Different Types of Clothing and Fabrics

When it comes to achieving the best lighting for different types of clothing and fabrics, it is important to consider the color, texture, and shine of the fabric.

Women in a blue and white dress — *A photo of a black and white dark fabric dress taken under more light*

Woman in Black shiny Leather Jacket — *A photo of a black and white dark fabric dress taken under more light*

For example, darker fabrics require more light to create depth and show texture, while shiny fabrics require a softer light to reduce glare.

Experimenting with different lighting setups and techniques, such as using reflectors to bounce light back onto the subject, can help you to achieve the best lighting for your e-commerce clothing photography.

It’s also important to keep in mind that lighting is key for any type of photography and you should spend time mastering it to achieve the results you want for your e-commerce business.

I’ve also got an article on lighting for product photography that will give you an in-depth understanding of how to light your products perfectly.

Composition and Styling Techniques for E-commerce Clothing Photography

The right composition and styling can help to draw the viewer’s eye to the clothing and showcase its best features.

Here are some tips on how to create visually appealing compositions and style clothing for e-commerce photography:

• Use the Rule of Thirds

Pink high heels photograph that uses rules in third — *A photo of pink high heels using the Rules in Third*

This compositional rule helps to create balance and interest in an image by placing the subject off-center.

• Try Flat Lay photography

Flat lay photo of a Checkered Long Sleeves on a Pink Surface — *A Faltlay photo of a checkered long sleeves*

Flat lay is a technique where items are arranged flat on a surface and photographed from above.

This typically uses for product photography such as clothing, accessories, and other small items.

You can refer to the Flat Lay Clothes Photography Ideas article, for more inspirable ideas.

• Showcase the Clothing in Action

Woman in Black Tank Top and Black Leggings Doing Yoga — *A girl in a black tank top and black leggings doing workouts*

Using models or mannequins to show the clothing in action can help to give the viewer an idea of how the clothing will look when worn.

• Highlight the Details and Textures

Close-up photo of a hung sweatshirt — *A Close up photo of a hung shirt*

Close-up shots can help to showcase the intricate details and textures of the clothing, which can be difficult to see in wider shots.

• Use Props

Women's clothing photo with props — *Women’s clothing photo showing the accessories that can be used with that outfit*

Props can add interest and context to an image and can help to give the viewer an idea of how the clothing can be worn in different situations.

• Experiment with Different Angles and Perspectives

Shoe photo second angle — *Same shoe product in different angels*

Shoe photo third angle — *Same shoe product in different angels*

Experimenting with different angles can help to create interest and uniquely showcase the clothing.

• Keep It Simple

Woman in Pink Crew Neck T-shirt and Blue Denim Jeans in a plain background — *A woman in a pink crew neck t-shirt and blue denim jeans on a clean and simple background*

A clean and simple background can help to reduce distractions and make the clothing stand out.

Besides, the product photography styles article provides 6 essential styles for e-commerce that can help boost sales. Incorporate these styles into your clothing product photography to make a lasting impression on your customers.

Use Editing Software for a Polished Final Clothing Product

Post-processing and editing is the last important thing to improve the final image of your e-commerce clothing photography.

· Editing Software Tools for E-commerce Clothing Photography

I recommend the following editing software options for e-commerce product images.

Adobe Lightroom: Lightroom is a powerful, all-in-one photo editing software that allows you to organize, edit, and share your photos.
Adobe Photoshop: Photoshop is a more advanced editing software that is widely used by professionals.
Capture One: Capture One is a professional-grade photo editing software that offers a wide range of tools and features for editing, retouching, and color-correcting images.

GIMP: GIMP is a free, open-source photo editing software that offers many of the same features as Photoshop. It’s a great option for those on a tight budget.

I always preferred to use Lightroom and if you are also interested, then Lightroom presets for product photography will give you the best guide.

Now you can edit your clothing photo using one of the above software to get the desired image for your e-commerce store.

· How to Edit Clothing Photos Using Editing Tools

*Editing clothing photos before uploading e-commerce store*

No matter what editing software I use, the following steps will help me recover and color-correct my outfit photos.

1. Adjust the White Balance

This is the best way to ensure that the colors in the image appear natural and accurate.

2. Adjust the Exposure

Make the image neither too bright nor too dark by adjusting the exposure.

3. Adjust the Contrast

This can help to add depth and dimension to the image.

4. Remove Any Blemishes or Wrinkles from the Clothing

Remember to remove any blemishes or wrinkles.
It will make the clothing appear clean and wrinkle-free.

5. Adjust Saturation

This is an important step to make the colors in the image appear more vibrant.

6. Use Selective Editing

Selective editing allows you to edit specific areas of the image, such as the background or a particular piece of clothing.

7. Use Batch Editing

If you want to apply the same edits to multiple images at once, which can save time and ensure consistency, then use the batch editing tool.

Conclusion

To sum up, this guide has shown various methods to enhance the professionalism of your clothing photography for e-commerce and increase e-commerce sales.

By following the tips and techniques discussed in this article, even as a beginner, you can elevate the quality of your product images and drive sales.

It is important to keep in mind that high-quality clothing photograph plays a vital role in differentiating your products and standing out in the crowded e-commerce industry.

Justin Parker

Justin Parker is a professional photographer and has been in the industry since 2007. He attended the University of Georgia. Justin combines his passion for photography and his interest in writing to give life to this blog which talks about photography in order to help and inspire young photographers.