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We live in a digital world, and good product photos are more important than ever. The right images can show off your products or services without needing a lot of extra explanation. If you’re an entrepreneur or just starting out in photography, this guide will help you take better photos and improve your skills.

What is Product Photography?

Product photography is all about showing your products clearly, and it’s especially important for online stores. The goal is to let people see exactly what your product or service offers. After all, most of us hesitate to buy something we haven’t seen in person, so we like to check out every detail before buying online.

Product Photography Guide

Camera

To get started, you will need a camera to take images. If you carry a camera, you’re already set, if it’s an older model or the newest one. A good smartphone with a 12MP or higher back camera can easily replace a regular camera.

Use A Tripod

Tripods are important for photo consistency. A tripod helps keep your camera or smartphone steady, resulting in clearer and better images.

You can use a tripod or DIY with stacked books, but investing in one pays off in the long run. Consider standardizing your product photos.

Adjust Your Lighting 

In this part, you have to be very detailed on what you are aiming for. You have to think that your consumer must buy what you sell, which is done by having proper lighting.

Natural Light

Natural light is also known as “soft light,” which directly comes from the sunlight. Using natural light gives a certain mood on your product and is suited for:

• Highlighting a product photography that can be worn or used
• Adding the right amount of element or connection between real-life scenario and product

Studio Light

Studio Light is also known as “hard light” as it produces a smaller but more focused light surface. If you don’t have enough sunlight but want to take evening photos or get clear results, this suits you. Consider standardizing your product photos.

Product Photography Shoot In Different Locations

Relatively with proper lighting, shooting in different locations sets your product in different ways. You may also add elements and twists while shooting.

When selling swimsuits, it’s best to photograph models at the beach or pool to create the right atmosphere. 

Know the Types of Product to Shoot

Thinking of how your photos can create a “wow” factor? You must know what your subject or product is. That way, you can determine what the things applicable to shoot for a specific product are.

Jewelry

Jewelry often shows class, elegance, and beauty. Keep your images sharp and take close-ups from various angles.

Shoes

In footwear photography, always use a white background to keep your shoes’ colors true. Make the shoe look its best by showing it as if someone is wearing it.

Bags

When it comes to bags, focus on two things: the design and how people wear them. Place the bag in a neutral environment to make it stand out, or have someone model it for you. When it comes to bags, focus on two things: the design and how people wear them. Place the bag in a neutral environment to make it stand out, or have someone model it for you.

Dresses

Just like bags, you also need to shoot a dress’s design and how it’s worn. Women are very particular with the details  Aztec, floral, sparkle, stripes, etc. The best way to highlight a dress is to hire a model and make them pose in ways to accentuate your product.

Menswear

Men usually don’t focus on details and often choose plain designs and neutral colors. You should make the clothing look classy and manly. Using a model works best.

Electronics

When shopping for electronics, you examine more than just the physical attributes and take every detail that shows its functionality.

Be Creative, Don’t Be Afraid to Commit Errors

There are many ways to do product photography. Don’t be afraid to commit errors and fuel your creativity. This is the part wherein you’re free to do whatever you want. And this is also a room for learning and improvement as you get to build your confidence and know your art style.

Product Photography Photo Editing

In editing, a lot of adjustments are involved. You have to determine what are the right sizes you need in each platform you’re using. You also need to tweak and adjust the colors of raw photos to emphasize or match it in a realistic scene. Specifically, you need to do the following:

Background Removal

There are times when elements in the background are either too bland or too eye-catching. This prevents your viewer from looking at the main subject. If that’s the case, you can remove the background.

Clipping Path Service

The clipping path method is more tedious when it comes to removing unnecessary elements in a photo. Since the process is long and dull, you can hire a photo editing company to handle it for you. Typically, graphic artists use Photoshop to perform a clipping path.

Color Correction

Oftentimes, the colors you see on your camera are not the same when you import them to your computer. Begin with color correction when editing a photo. Make the colors neutral, not too warm or too cold.

Resizing

Maybe your clients want to print a photo. However, the image’s dimensions are not quite the same size as with the frame. Fortunately, you can resize your photos in Photoshop.

Product Retouching

Distraction is your main enemy when it comes to product photography. That’s why you need to retouch your images. It removes extra parts from your photo, keeping customers focused on the product.

Manipulation

Photography is an advanced technique. It allows you to do unlimited edits on an image. You need to keep everything balanced, as doing an absurd amount of editing can lessen your image’s level.

After finishing post-production and exporting photos, review the images since they may look different on various devices.

Conclusion: 

Product photography is a skill anyone can start learning with practice and patience. By understanding the basics like lighting, angles, and backgrounds, you can make your products look their best. Remember, even small improvements can make a big difference in how your photos attract customers. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own style.

Read Next: How to Improve Product Photos with Your Smartphone