If you’re wondering, how do you take good photos of products to sell online? it’s important to focus on showcasing the product in the best possible way.
Your prospective clients only have a few seconds or milliseconds to create an impression, so you need to make the most of it.
Incredible images of your items are an excellent way to do this.
I hope that the tips and tricks in this article will help you improve the quality of your product photography, so that you may attract more people and make more sales.
9+ Tips for Taking Photographs of Products to Sell Online
Taking product images for your online business is impossible without a high-end camera.
In reality, the camera you need is likely in your Smartphone, which you carry with you.
If you’re interested in taking product photography with smartphones, the article Can you use iPhone for product photography? provides helpful tips and techniques for using an iPhone to capture high-quality images.
Keep in mind that while the iPhone can produce excellent results, other smartphones, and cameras may also be suitable for this purpose.”
So, it is a luxury, not a need, to pay for a professional photographer. Investing in a website should not delay your ability to generate revenue.
Below I will discuss how you may use your camera or even your Smartphone to snap high-quality product images.
1. Take Consistent Photos by Using a Tripod
First, a rule of thumb: don’t use your phone to focus the lens toward the object by propping it against anything solid.
Inconsistencies in the look of your images might be caused by this impromptu arrangement sliding about throughout the photo session.
If you place your camera atop a stack of books, be sure that this arrangement doesn’t shift throughout the shot.
However, it might be challenging to maintain a consistent product orientation while photographing many goods when using a handheld camera.
A tripod is a must to maintain uniformity across all of your items.
That is not to say that it isn’t still a significant financial commitment. You can consider these two options for tripods.
i). Conventional vs Dynamic
For both cameras and cellphones, there are classic tripods on the market.
Conventional tripods may offer greater stability, but dynamic tripods can provide more flexibility and ease of use.
| Conventional Tripod | Dynamic Tripod |
|---|---|
| Bulkier and heavier | Compact and lightweight |
| High stability | May have some flexibility and instability |
| May have limited flexibility in adjusting angles | Highly flexible, can be used to take photos from different angles and surfaces |
| May take longer to set up | Easy to set up and use |
| Generally less expensive | May be more expensive due to flexibility and features |
There are several methods to work with a flexible tripod. To acquire the angle you need, you may bend the legs and set them on various surfaces.
ii). Grip-On the Go
The tripod’s top usually has a screw that connects to your camera to keep it in position.
Smartphones may utilize an adapter similar to the one found on the bottom of most professional-grade cameras.
The adapter allows you to use the camera controls while holding your phone with the screen facing away and toward you.
It works with both types of tripods.
You may want to lay three pieces of camera tape just on the ground to indicate where you want each leg of the tripod to go during the photo session after you’ve determined which mount you require.
2. Make Sure You Have enough Lighting
Product photography lighting is the first step.
Your goods and backdrop won’t look the same if you don’t use the proper lighting.
Natural and studio lighting are two possibilities for photographing products.
This information can assist you in deciding on the best camera and lighting setup for your shot and where and how to promote it.
These natural-looking images may work well in social networking situations, such as Instagram, and can be used for product photography, including food and apparel.
If you’re shooting indoors, make sure your product is facing a glass so you can make use of the available natural light.
When shooting products indoors, you have several lighting options available, such as using the best strobe lights for product photography, or the best ring light for product photography.
Besides, do you think LED lights can make your product photos look more stunning? Check out the article Can I use LED lights for product photography? to find out.
It’s OK if you can photograph your stuff outdoors. You can.
Morning and evening are the optimum times to do this, but not too late at night. Days with a tinge of cloudiness are also ideal.
When the sun is pounding down at midday, you’re going to get lots of glare in your photos if you bring out your shoe inventory.
You can refer to the outdoor product photography for a complete guide.
3. Adjust Your Camera’s White Balance
It’s pretty uncommon for product images to seem a little red, blue, or green after being taken by creators.
When you’re trying to sell things online, you don’t want to provide photographs of your products with color issues.
Check your camera’s white balance if the colors in your images seem to be wrong.
This means you’re relying on the camera to perform all your jobs when photographing products. This includes speculating on the nature of your illumination.
In many cases, it gets the source of light incorrect, leading to photographs that seem out of focus or lack color.
The good news is that it’s simple to fix. To get the most out of your images, fix the white balance as you capture them.
Your product images will be more accurate if you use this method.
4. Edit Your Photographs
I bet you’ve seen those stunning product photographs on Etsy that make you want to add them to your shopping basket because they seem so good.
All of those photographs are likely to have been altered in some manner.
A little editing might go a long way, mainly unless you took the effort to figure out the correct backdrop, the right light, etc. Why?
Because editing is a piece of cake when your start with a great product shot!
When you’re making modest tweaks to your images, you’re not wasting time attempting to improve them.
So, ensure that you update your product before uploading it to online marketplaces, social media, or any other business opportunity you have.
Customers and other companies are more inclined to trust and rely on a firm with high-quality images on its website.
Using a preset can help you save time and achieve a perfect photograph of your product. For this purpose, refer to the guide on Lightroom presets for product photography.
5. Set Your Product’s Stance in the Marketplace
A “main image” refers to the picture at the top of the search results and product pages.
The product’s front should always be the primary focus of the main picture. The list may take advantage of the product’s backside.
It is possible to arrange your goods at the front of the backdrop or keep it in the middle of the table and chair.
6. High-Definition Photos
If you want high-quality photographs, you don’t need a professional camera or high-resolution lenses to do it.
As long as your Smartphone can produce a clean and high-resolution picture, you may use it for product photography.
Today’s smartphones are equipped with solid camera lenses, settings, and tools when it comes to photographing products in various lighting conditions and surroundings.
7. What’s on the Inside Should be Seen
Show the real thing, not just a picture of it in a box. Makeup may take many forms, from a simple coat of mascara to a full-on manicure and pedicure.
Your photos should have depth and substance. You may use a swipe of the smoothest lipstick here on the market as a backdrop.
You could also use those cosmetic swipes to generate a pattern for a backdrop.
To build a compelling composition, use the same components repeatedly.
8. Make the Most of the Macro Mode
Take advantage of your camera’s macro mode if it has one.
The button is frequently marked with a bit of flower, making it easier to find.
The macro setting is ideal for close-up shots since it allows the photographer to focus precisely on the subject at a close range.
You can find all you need to know about taking macro product shots in the article how do you macro a product shot.
It’ll be more challenging to focus, and your field of view will be more minor, but the amount of detail you can capture will be astounding.
9. Make Use of the Timing and Anti-Shake Features
This is an improvement over a tripod in terms of maintaining camera stability.
If you press a button, even a tiny movement from the camera might cause your photo to go awry.
Your picture is ready after setting the timing and making any required modifications.
The anti-shake option in specific smartphone applications like CameraSharp might help you get better results in low-light situations without a tripod.
10. Use a Variety of Images
Give your consumers a variety of perspectives on your items if your online store permits it.
The primary picture should be the most eye-catching one that depicts the brand.
Consider adding one or more photographs, possibly with an all-natural backdrop or an even closer detail.
Show the product in action, for example. Ultimately, the goal is to provide your clients with as much data as possible.
Backdrops for Selling Products
A photograph’s backdrop contains a wealth of information that allows the viewer to comprehend better the environment in which it was shot.
If you show a close-up photo of a depressed individual, you’re not telling the whole narrative.
I believe you’ve already read the article about the backdrop for product photography (Not just only white).
Besides, I have been doing food photoshoots for many restaurants, cafes, etc. that sell food via online orders. So, I already wrote an article about food photography props.
Finally,
Only by using product photography in the realm of e-commerce will you be able to attract your prospective buyers visually.
Think outside the box to stand out and sell more currently when Smartphone cameras can shoot stunning photographs.
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.
