If you're going to sell products online, you will need good, clear photos. The quality of your product pictures reflects the quality of your product and the professional status of your company. If you're selling in an online marketplace or auction setting, the photograph has to be eye-catching and professional to compete with all of the other similar products on the same page. The image must also resize from enlarged to thumbnail size while retaining clarity.
10 Tips for Taking Product Photos That Sell Online
1. Don't Spend a Fortune on Photography Equipment
Most cameras on the market today take a decent picture. It's important that it look clear and professional, but you needn't spend thousands of dollars on the camera and accessories like lenses. I love my digital SLR camera because I can either take my time with total control or snap pictures quickly and easily. In both cases, the photos are of high quality with several resolution options. I use the 8mm lens it came with and it has been adequate for all types of product photos I've taken. One item that is worth purchasing is a tripod to avoid motion blurring.
2. Get Creative with your Background
A contrasting solid colour is nice, but you can add personality by getting creative with your photo background. Easy variations can be achieved by simply switching material, like burlap or wood as a backdrop for natural product photos. I stay away from anything too "busy", but if the background is blurred (known as a shallow depth of field) you can add interest to the right type of products. If you're handy with photo editing software, you can start with a plain background and crop the product for placement on any background you please.
3. Lighting
It really isn't necessary to set up your own mini studio with extravagant lighting. The camera flash is usually sufficient, but if you have problems you may want to invest in a detached/slave flash or skip the flash and use the room lighting. Some of my best photos were taken using an inexpensive desk lamp with an adjustable angle. If you feel you need a light box, search online for DIY instructions. Take advantage of natural light, like sunshine streaming through a window.
4. Props and Staging can Make the Sale
Using props and staging can draw the eye, solicit an emotional response, generate excitement, and convince the shopper they've "got to have it!" You can experiment with what a product is displayed in (such as sea salt in a sea shell), and add related props (like a rose for something rose scented).
5. Models
Showing your product in use can often increase the urge to buy. For example, a custom dog collar on a puppy is much more inviting than a shot of the collar alone. For most products it's a good idea to include a simple product shot to show shoppers exactly what they're getting. However, clothing and other items do better if they're modeled or at least appear on a mannequin.
6. Angles and Feature Shots
Obviously you'll want to show your product's best features but don't be afraid to include shots taken at a 45 degree angle, or even from the top/bottom. To show the product from several angles you can use more than one picture of the same product and place them into one image, or use several photos separately if possible. If there are features you want to call attention to, take closeups of those features and either include them as an inset with the main product photo or include them on the page separately.
7. Read the Camera Manual
When I first purchased my digital SLR, my eyes started to glaze over by page 12 of the manual. It's a lot to take in if you're not already into photography, so take your time. Read about each setting you have on your particular camera, then research it further online. Practice until you master one function, then move on to the next.
8. Photo Editing
Learn the basics of photo editing. You'll need these basic skills to perfect your photo with options like cropping, sharpening, lighting and contrast. It's also important to copyright and/or brand your images. Images are stolen on a regular basis online. Perhaps most importantly, a branded photo is your freely-shared advertisement that makes its way through social media and photo sharing sites. Branding the photo with the name and/or URL of your company ensures it continues to work for you, even if it becomes separated from the link it was originally published from.
9. Surf for Examples
Take a day to just surf around popular stores, online markets and your competition. Note which photos catch your eye and how you feel about the product when you view the photo. Mimic the styles that you respond positively to. Pinterest is a handy tool for this task, just pin the product photos you like best. You can make that Pinterest board private if you don't want the images to be visible to the public.
10. Test, Test, and Test Some More
Like anything else related to eCommerce and online marketing, images must be tested for their impact on sales. Try different images and vary placement in ad copy to optimize conversions.
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