How to Optimise Your Product Photography for eCommerce Success
William James • 29 June 2023
How to Optimise Your Product Photography for eCommerce Success
eCommerce has taken the world by storm over the last few years and is now a staple of today's digital world. The potential to order any product from anywhere in the world and have it delivered to your door has changed the way we shop and work forever.
Moreover, there have never been more opportunities to grow your own business in this industry, setting up an online store to sell to consumers all over the world with whatever products or within whatever niche you like.
However, while there's a ton of information about getting started with your store, what platform you should choose, what dropshipping service is hot right now and how to get attention to your online space, fewer people are discussing the importance of product photography.
Great product pictures can do a fantastic job of showcasing what your products are all about, making potential buyers say, "Yep, I want that!"
And if your photos aren't great, well, let's just say those customers will very quickly be taking their business and their money elsewhere.
But let's be honest here, taking the perfect product photo isn't as simple as just pressing a button. You've got to mix a decent dose of technical know-how, a sprinkle of creativity, and a good chunk of strategic planning.
So, are you ready to step up your e-commerce product photography game? We've got some handy tips here to help elevate your online store to the next level. Buckle up, and let's dive in!
Why Optimal E-commerce Photos are Crucial for Business and Driving Sales
You might have heard the phrase, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
In the world of e-commerce, this couldn't be more accurate.
Optimal product photos are more than just digital representations of your products; they're essential tools for telling your brand's story, engaging customers, and, ultimately, driving sales. Better images, create better sales!
Firstly, we live in a visually driven society where people respond more strongly to images than text. Your product images are typically the first thing potential customers will see when they land on your site, and this first impression can make or break their decision to explore further.
An eye-catching, high-quality photo can attract potential buyers, keep them on your page, and significantly increase their chances of purchasing.
Secondly, remember that online shoppers don't have the luxury of physically inspecting a product before buying. They can't touch the fabric, try on the shoe, or smell the perfume. Instead, they rely heavily on product photos to gauge quality and suitability.
If your product images are clear, detailed, and accurately represent your products, customers will feel more confident in their buying decision, leading to increased sales and fewer returns.
Lastly, unique and compelling product images can significantly enhance your brand's overall image and reputation.
They allow you to showcase your product's unique features and benefits, differentiate your brand from competitors, and effectively convey your product's value proposition.
This not only encourages customers to buy but also fosters brand loyalty, leading to repeat purchases and long-term business growth.
So, to cut a long story short, investing in optimal e-commerce product photos is not just beneficial; it's crucial for driving sales and achieving e-commerce success. It's time to bring your products into the spotlight and let them shine!
What Makes a Great Product Photo?
Great product photos are the bread and butter of successful e-commerce businesses. So, what exactly goes into creating these visual masterpieces?
- Composition: This refers to the arrangement of elements within the photo. A well-composed image can guide the viewer's eye to the product effectively, emphasising its key features. Think about the rule of thirds, symmetry, and use of negative space.
- Exposure: It's all about getting the right amount of light to hit the camera sensor. Properly exposed images appear vibrant and clear, capturing the true colours and details of the product.
- Focus: A sharp, well-focused image is vital to show off your product in all its glory. Depending on the product and its features, you might use a shallow depth of field to highlight specific details or a wider one to showcase the product.
- Lighting: Good lighting can make or break a product photo. Considered use of lighting can emphasise details, elevate perceived value and influence people buying decisions.
- Timing: Timing might seem odd in product photography, but it's crucial for lifestyle shots. Capturing the product "in action" at the right moment can tell a compelling story about its use.
And there you have it, the recipe for a great product photography Remember, each element works in harmony with the others to create an image that doesn't just show your product but sells it.
Tips to Improve Your E-commerce Photography
While there's no better way to upgrade your e-commerce photography game than practising and experimenting with your equipment, here are a few practical tips to help you take your product images from good to great.
- Backgrounds: A clean, neutral background can help your product pop and reduces distractions. Consider using white or light-coloured backgrounds to allow your product to be the star of the show.
- Proper Light Setup: Lighting is a big deal in photography. Invest in a good lighting setup, begin with diffused light sources, to create an even illumination and bring out the best in your product.
- Control Shadows: Shadows can make your product very different by adding mood or clarity. Use fill lights, reflectors, or diffusers to control shadows.
- Don't Move: Use a Tripod!: A steady camera ensures sharper images. Use a tripod to avoid any camera shake, which is especially important when you're shooting in lower light conditions or aiming for precise composition.
- Item Placement: How and where you place your product can greatly influence the perception of its value. Use props that complement your product, and position your product strategically within the frame to highlight its key features.
- Try Different Angles: Don't just stick to one viewpoint. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to provide a comprehensive visual representation of your product.
- Get to Know Your Camera: Every camera, whether it's a professional DSLR or a smartphone camera, has its own unique settings and features. Spend some time understanding how your camera works. Mastering manual controls like aperture, ISO, and shutter speed can really help improve your photography skills.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Keep experimenting and learning, and in no time, you'll see a noticeable improvement in your e-commerce photography.
What the Best E-Commerce Stores Do Well with Their Product Images
Ever browsed through an online store and found yourself marvelling at the product images? Top-tier e-commerce stores know the power of excellent product photography and leverage it masterfully to drive sales. Let's dissect what they do exceptionally well with their product images:
High-Resolution Images
The best e-commerce stores understand that high-resolution images are non-negotiable. They ensure their product photos are clear, crisp, and loaded with detail. This gives customers a nearly tangible sense of the product, something vital in an environment where physical inspection isn't possible.
Multiple Angles and Zoom-In Feature
These stores don't just stop at one image per product. They offer multiple images from different angles, providing a 360-degree view of the product. Additionally, they incorporate a zoom-in feature, allowing customers to scrutinise every minute detail, texture, or feature.
Lifestyle and Contextual Shots
It's not all about isolated product images on a white background. Successful e-commerce stores also include lifestyle shots - pictures of the product being used in its intended environment or context. This helps customers envision how they might use the product in their own lives.
Consistent Style
Consistency is key in branding, and this also extends to product photography. Top e-commerce stores maintain a consistent style across all their product images, be it in terms of lighting, angles, or background. This not only looks professional but also enhances the shopping experience for customers.
Infographics and Annotation
For more complex products, the best e-commerce stores use infographics or annotations in their product images. This could involve labelling parts of the product, highlighting key features, or providing brief instructions or benefits. This enhances customer understanding and can effectively showcase the product's unique selling points.
Proper Sizing
Images are appropriately sized and optimised. They're large enough to allow for detail without slowing down the website's load times. This balancing act between quality and efficiency is crucial for an optimal user experience.
Final Thoughts
By adopting these strategies, top e-commerce stores ensure their product images do more than just look good - they tell a story, provide information, and, most importantly, convince customers to hit that 'Add to Cart' button.
And when you take the time to optimise your e-commerce product photography yourself, you can dramatically improve your online store's performance.
Focusing on quality, clarity, and strategic presentation allows you to create product images that draw in customers and boost sales.
So, harness these tips, enhance your photography skills, and watch your e-commerce business flourish. Better images create better sales, guaranteed!
By offering these specialized photography services and deliverables, we can provide valuable support to brands in effectively showcasing their products, connecting with consumers, and driving sales and brand loyalty in a highly competitive market. Product Photography High-quality product photography is essential for FMCG brands to showcase their products in a visually appealing and compelling manner. Commercial photographers can specialize in capturing product images that highlight key features, textures, and packaging details, effectively conveying the product's quality and appeal to consumers. Food Photography Food photography plays a crucial role in the FMCG market, where consumers are drawn to appetizing images that evoke cravings and stimulate the senses. We are skilled in food photography can create mouthwatering images that showcase food products in their best light, emphasising freshness, texture, and presentation. Lifestyle Photography Lifestyle photography involves capturing images that depict products in real-life settings and scenarios, helping consumers envision how the products fit into their everyday lives. We can create lifestyle images that tell a story, evoke emotion, and resonate with target audiences, enhancing brand appeal and consumer engagement. Branded Content Creation We like to collaborate with our clients to develop branded content that aligns with their marketing objectives and brand identity. This may include creating visually cohesive imagery for social media campaigns, website content, advertising materials, and other marketing channels to effectively communicate the brand's message and values. Packaging Photography High-quality packaging photography is crucial for FMCG brands to showcase their products on packaging materials, labels, and promotional materials. Commercial photographers can create visually striking images of product packaging that highlight design elements, branding, and product features, helping brands stand out on the shelves and attract consumers' attention. E-commerce Photography With the rise of e-commerce, high-quality product photography is essential for FMCG brands to effectively showcase their products on online platforms. Commercial photographers can specialise in e-commerce photography, creating optimised images that meet the requirements of online marketplaces and drive conversions by capturing consumers' attention and inspiring confidence in the products. Get In Touch... Target Studios is a leading commercial photographer in the Midlands. We can work with you to create a stunning range of product imagery that will hopefully increase your online sales conversion rates. We pride ourselves on our technical expertise and for being a friendly, collaborative team. Although we are based in the Midlands, we are happy to travel wherever you need us to be across the UK. If you are looking for high quality product photography, please get in touch with us, via email , our contact form on our website, or why not pick up the phone? This is the quickest way for you to give us a feel for what you need, so that we can deliver the best results for you as soon as possible. Our number is 0116 270 1666. We look forward to hearing from you!
How great images can increase conversion rates
For any online retailer, your product photos are without doubt the highest profile and most persuasive ingredient of your online offer. Did you know that half your website visitors will go straight to your image gallery before they read anything on your page?! So, now you have their attention, how can you make your product images work harder for you? By creating a story that leaps off the page, rather than displaying a static product shot that is sterile and lacking in emotion, giving your customer nothing they can relate to. The expert team at Target Studios, a leading commercial photographer in the Midlands area, explains how… The art of storytelling This is where the storytelling comes in – bringing your product to life by setting a scene around your product and creating a context for its purpose. There is great power in the ancient art of storytelling. It blends experience with emotion, to convey a message in a way that strikes a memorable chord with an individual. In the same way, if you can weave storytelling into your product photography, it will make the product resonate with the viewer so much more than an ordinary product shot with no props or setting could ever do. When you set a scene, you are drawing in your audience, creating a deeper connection through the narrative you build. They feel emotionally invested and their curiosity is ignited. Photos sell products Your customers are making buying decisions based on your product photography. Grabbing and keeping their attention is crucial to your sales, and storytelling through product photography has become an integral part of a successful marketing campaign. When your customer looks at your product photography, you want them to connect with what they are seeing, by showing them a world they feel they could step into and live in themselves. The right props, setting and creating the right vibe can all be incredibly persuasive with your target market. Also, the quality of your product photography says so much about your brand as well as the product itself. It reinforces your brand messaging, reaffirming what you stand for and reminding your customer what they love about your brand. How great storytelling in product photography works Storytelling through product photography is not a new concept. However, the incredibly high technical quality of today’s photographic equipment means that, in the right hands, your product is shown off in the most flattering way possible, beautifully lit and feeling like you could almost touch it. A photographer with a creative eye can compose and capture impactful images that grab the viewer’s attention in a split second. Basic, stand-alone product shots aren’t enough to get your customer’s attention anymore. Everything is so fast paced now – you have a split second to bond with your potential buyers and show them the effect your product will have on their life. Telling your story Your brand is important, and creative imagery is important too but, to tell a captivating and believable story, you most of all need to think about the person who will be buying and using your product. To make your storytelling genuine and authentic, which is always the best way to connect with your audience, it’s a good idea to ask your customers what they tell people about your product. We use this information to think about how people use this product in their lives, and put ourselves in their shoes, thinking about their whole life experience. This then sparks our creativity and helps us to choose the right props, background and other elements; always focusing on the product being the hero in that lifestyle shot. How we achieve effective storytelling in our product photography We talk to our client, and make sure we really understand the personality of your brand and the message you want to convey in the product shots. During the photo shoot, we take a variety of shots to show the product from all angles - and demonstrate its use - and we strike a careful balance between keeping the shots fresh and different, whilst maintaining a thread of consistency throughout. After the shoot, we may employ subtle post-production creative adjustments to further enhance an image and increase its intrinsic value as appropriate. Storytelling elements When we are composing product shots that incorporate storytelling, we consider the following questions: What mood are you looking for? What props, lighting, colours and style can we use that will express that mood best? What are you trying to say? Are your images clearly expressing the right messaging? Are we using innovative angles and being selective with the framing of the shot, to enhance the story telling aspect of the images? It’s all in the preparation! People have an ever-diminishing attention span in today’s over-stimulated world, especially when they are scrolling online, so it’s important to ensure that your strongest and most striking, eye-catching image is the first one your customers will see in your gallery. Hopfully this article has given you some useful food for thought when you’re thinking about your product photography needs. How Target Studios can help you At Target Studios, a leading commercial photographer in the Midlands, we can work with you to create the most impactful storytelling for your product photography, which will then give you the best chance of maximising your online sales. We pride ourselves on our technical expertise and for being a friendly, collaborative team. Although we are based in the Midlands, we are happy to travel wherever you need us to be across the UK. If you are looking for high quality product photography, please get in touch with us, via email , our contact form on our website, or why not pick up the phone? This is the quickest way for you to give us a feel for what you need, so that we can deliver the best results for you as soon as possible. Our number is 0116 270 1666. We look forward to hearing from you!
So, you've set up your online store, your products are ready to rock and roll, and you're eager to start making sales. But hold on a second—are your product photos really showcasing the best of what you've got? In the world of e-commerce, a picture isn't just worth a thousand words—it could be worth a thousand sales (or more!). And that's precisely where professional product photography comes in. With the right blend of lighting, styling, and high-quality visuals, you can transform your store from 'just okay' to 'jaw-dropping'. Ready to delve into the fantastic world of professional product photography and uncover how it can skyrocket your e-commerce success? Product Photography: What's the Big Deal? Product photography is the art of capturing your goods in their best light. It's about creating attractive, high-quality images that make your products pop and, crucially, entice people to buy them. Quite simply, photographing your products and using your photos to create brilliant, good-looking store pages that make your customers go, "Wow, I want/need this!" E-Commerce Product Photography: The Online Game Changer In the realm of e-commerce, product photography becomes even more crucial. Your customers can't touch or feel your products like in a physical store. So, it's your job to create a visual experience that gets as close as possible to the real deal. That's where e-commerce product photography steps in. Think of it this way. If your customers were shopping in your brick-and-mortar store, they’d be able to handle, touch, smell, and engage with the product. That’s impossible online, but the next best thing is to be able to fully appreciate it through a high-quality image. The Role of Product Photography in E-Commerce Simply put, great product photos can differentiate between a browser and a buyer. Quality visuals not only catch the eye, but they also build trust, showing customers that you value quality and detail. In essence, top-notch product photos are non-negotiable. They give your brand credibility, improve customer experience, and, most importantly, drive those all-important sales. Now, who wouldn't want that?
In the e-commerce world, a picture speaks volumes. It’s the first thing that draws potential customers to your products, and exactly the first point of call when it comes to making judgments. To most shoppers, bad pictures mean bad products, and they won’t waste their time. It doesn’t matter if your product is the next best thing. Therefore, good product photography is important, but this raises a new issue. Developing high-quality product imagery, and on a consistent basis, is a daunting task for many e-commerce businesses, especially if you don't have the equipment or technical skill. That's where outsourcing comes into the picture. Outsourcing product photography can bring a professional touch to your online catalogue, freeing up your time to focus on other crucial business aspects. This article delves into the benefits of outsourcing product photography and how to select the best partner to elevate your e-commerce brand.
If a picture paints a thousand words, what does a video say? Whatever message you need to get out there, Target Studios is the ideal choice. We are based in the Midlands but can travel wherever you need us to be across the UK.
What is invisible mannequin photography?
At Target Studios in Leicester, we love working on product photography and we’re proud to say we’re pretty good at it! There’s something magical about bringing an inanimate object to life with the best equipment, the right lighting, and the skill of an experienced and talented photographer who has ‘the eye’ for getting the best shot. Product photography is a core part of our business and we’ve built an excellent reputation on the results we’ve delivered for a wide variety of clients, from a one-person start up to a global brand. Our spacious and well-equipped photographic and video production studio makes us the ‘go to’ place for creative agencies and business who need high quality product photography for websites, campaigns, brochures and e-commerce. The type of products we can photograph It would be quicker to list what types of product we can’t photograph, and I’m struggling to think of anything to put on that list! The only restriction on what we can photograph is the size of our studio entrance which, as it’s a drive-in, 3.8 x 4.7m roller door, is not much of a restriction. It means you can unload in the dry or roll in bigger items, which is incredibly convenient. Our studio is 260sqm with an 11x14m main shooting area and a seven metre ceiling. So, we can photograph anything from a miniscule seven millimetres to a magnificent seven metres tall. In terms of the style of our photography, we are chameleon-like in tailoring our creativity and style of photography to suit our clients’ requirements. If you can visualise it, we can photograph it. What we are confident about is that, whatever style you choose, the final images we produce for you will all be crisp and clean, in sharp focus, with accurate colour representation - always portraying your products in the best way possible. The equipment we use We’re quite geeky about our equipment. We know our kit inside and out, understanding all the settings and making the most of its technical capabilities. We buy the best that is available on the market because that, married with the skill of our photographers, will guarantee the best results for our clients. This makes it a worthwhile investment for us and for you. The cameras we use tend to be medium format style cameras as they achieve an unsurpassed image quality with super-sized sensors that provide colour depth, dynamic range and bigger file sizes, ensuring that the images we use are suitable for absolutely any application. When it comes to websites and other online mediums, it means that we can resize the images but still retail the wow factor you get from having a large sensor camera. Our cameras are mirrorless, so what you are photographing is displayed using an electronic viewfinder (EVF) via a feed from the camera’s imaging sensor that is always exposed to light and incorporates exposure information. This gives us a more accurate impression of the final image. Turnaround time We work with you to plan the best dates to book in your studio time. The world moves ever faster and we understand that, appreciating that you’re going to need your project turned around quickly. Without compromising on quality at any stage, we will have your product photographed, edited, retouched and ready for you to view online usually within 48 hours of the shoot. The process Step one is for our clients to send their product sample to us. We always do a free test shot in advance, before your actual product photography shoot. This way, you get complete reassurance of the quality and the style of photography you can expect, and the creative direction we are planning to go in. It is also a helpful part of the process for us. We get a better understanding of your product and how best we can show it off. We work collaboratively with you, making you feel comfortable giving us your comments and encouraging you to give us your feedback so that you get exactly what you want. When we have had that conversation and we’re all clear on exactly what we need to achieve for you, you send us a shoot list, detailing the range of product photos you need, and of course the whole range of products if we don’t already have them. For example, when we ran your test shoot we may only have worked with one colour version of a whole range of colours you have available and need selling imagery for. Our clients are always welcome at the studio. We are professional and relaxed, running stress-free shoots that are enjoyable and get high quality results. You can be as hands on as you like, working with us on the shoot and being closely involved. Some clients love being part of the buzz and enthusiasm of our shoots! Alternatively, it may be more convenient for you to choose to art direct remotely, which we are happy to accommodate. If this is the case, we make sure that you feel involved and heard, every step of the way, through your virtual presence! After the photography shoot, we keep you up to speed through the post-production process. This involves whittling the huge collection of photos we have taken for you down to the final range of images, editing, cropping, and retouching if and where it’s necessary. Finally, we upload your images to our online gallery, available only to you, where they are stored securely forever. You can log in with your unique reference code to access your images in a variety of high res and lower res formats, depending on what you need at any point in the future. How can I contact Target Studios? When you have a need for high quality product photography, please get in touch with us, via email, our contact form on our website, or why not pick up the phone? This is the quickest way for you to give us a feel for what you need, so that we can deliver the best results for you as soon as possible. Our number is 0116 270 1666. We look forward to hearing from you!
About Target Studios Based in Leicester, Target Studios is a spacious and well-equipped photographic and video production studio. They provide everything a business needs for a professional and stress-free shoot with top quality results. We go behind the scenes for a conversation with its Director and Creative Photographer, William James, to find out more. How did Target Studios start? I feel lucky in that I’ve always known what I wanted to do - photography has always been my passion. I started my formal training at 16, and it was a natural progression from there to set up in business when I was 19. Our photographic studio has now been running for over 20 years, which has flown by! In that time, as well as continually honing our craft, we’ve got to know what our clients like and we do everything we can to make sure they’re happy and comfortable. We even provide welcoming fresh coffee and pastries for early morning shoots! Where are Target Studios based and what areas do you service? Being placed literally in the centre of the UK, we can flexibly cover the length and breadth of the country, regularly travelling from Scotland to Brighton and everywhere in between. Our location is perfect for what we do and for giving our clients maximum flexibility when we’re delivering to their brief. We are conveniently based next to the A46, off the M21’s J21a. It’s handy that our clients can avoid getting gnarled up in city traffic, and we have plenty of parking. Our studio is a spacious 260sqm with an 11x14m main shooting area. We also have good access into our studio, with a drive-in, 3.8x4.7m roller door for you to unload in the dry or roll in bigger items. In terms of facilities, we have a client area where you can set up camp and make yourselves comfortable. We also have a workshop, kitchen, changing facilities, prop store, mannequins and a variety of backgrounds. And, of course, most importantly, an abundance of lighting and photographic equipment. What makes Target Studios different? I would say that it’s a combination of three elements. 1) Having a good studio. 2) Having the best equipment. And 3) Having the expertise and the experience to get the best results out of the first two elements! Our enthusiasm is infectious. We genuinely love what we do and our clients love the atmosphere and the buzz that our enthusiasm creates; they really enjoy the shoots, too. We confidently provide a guarantee to all our clients – if you don’t like the results of our video production or the photos we create for you, you can hand it all back and walk away without paying a penny. We mean it, but we would never let a client be disappointed in the work we do with them and are proud to say that no client has ever called on us to honour that guarantee in 20 years! What services does Target Studios offer? The photographic services we offer apply to two different sectors. Our traditional client base is the creative teams working within advertising and marketing agencies. The other side of our business is business to business. We work with some amazing global brands, as well as our fellow SMEs, and a huge variety of companies in many sectors. In recent years, video production has become increasingly in demand, too. As well as the photography and video shoots, we provide post-production services, like editing and re-touching. We also have a range of freelancers we know and trust, to add specialist services like styling, hair and make-up, food economics, set builders and so on. Whatever you need, when we work on your brief, we will bring the right team together to achieve the perfect result for you. Advertising Creative agencies come to us to produce the high quality photography they need for their range of clients’ websites, campaigns or brochure content. This is our core business. Agencies come back to us with repeat business, knowing that we will give them high quality photographic results for the large, prestigious brands they are representing. Often, they use us for all the photography and video production across a whole campaign, start to finish, which is very satisfying to work on. Business to Business ‘B2B’ This work is hugely varied and crosses multiple sectors. It could be any product you can think of, or a service that is being promoted. We work with everyone from an individual who has created one single product they are taking to market, to global companies launching new products they need visual imagery for. Photography High quality product shots need good lighting, clever composition, accurate colour representation and clean, sharp images. Some clients simply send a box full of products to us which we prepare, photograph, re-touch if required, and then send them the finished photos online, ready for them to upload as their ‘selling imagery’. These are generally deceptively simple shots, often on a white background, giving people enough detail for them to make their final buying decision from. We also do lifestyle photography which more ‘sets the scene’, enticing customers to buy. We might create more emotive images using models who are the brand’s target customers, or design a set that increases the perceived value of the product, capturing its essence by creating the right mood to resonate with potential customers. Video production A full service photographic studio really has to offer video production hand in hand with still photography these days. Stills are still (!) very much needed, but video is often a necessary addition to support that photography, particularly for social media. We have worked hard over the past few years to ensure that the quality of our video production techniques equals the high calibre of our photography. We produce various kinds of videos for our clients. Sometimes, it’s a corporate video for that company to use internally, or it could be a video asking someone to endorse what they do. It could be an instructional video that supplements a product, showing someone how to use it correctly. Our job is to understand what the client is trying to achieve and to execute their needs professionally and creatively, always to the highest standard. How can I contact Target Studios? Target Studios would love to work with you. You can email them here or contact them via their website . Or, as William suggests, why not pick up the phone? He finds it’s the best way to clarify if they’ll be the right fit for you. You can call them on 0116 270 1666.