Your Guide to E-Commerce Photography Best Practices
With phones in every hand and the convenience of one-click purchasing, there has never been a better time to level up your e-commerce game. And since you're here, I bet that's exactly what you're doing. High-five! 🎉
Whether you're snapping shots for your online store, social media, or a client's e-commerce site, capturing the perfect image can make all the difference. However, e-commerce media has a few nuances and guidelines you'll need to master. This e-commerce photography guide will help you make your products shine online!
Table of Contents
Know Your Gear
Lighting is Everything
Backgrounds Matter
Angles and Compositions
Post-Processing Magic
Consistency is Key
Stay Updated and Inspired
1. Know Your Gear
Camera
You don’t necessarily need the latest and greatest DSLR, but having a decent camera with manual settings is a game-changer. Whether you use a Canon, Nikon, or even a high-end smartphone, knowing how to manipulate ISO, aperture, and shutter speed will give you control over your shots.
Lenses
For product photography, a macro lens or any lens with a focal length between 50mm and 100mm works wonders. These lenses help you capture intricate details and offer a pleasing depth of field.
Tripod
Stability is crucial. A good tripod will eliminate any shake and ensure your images are sharp. It also allows you to maintain consistent framing when shooting multiple products.
2. Lighting is Everything
Natural Light
Natural light is fantastic for creating soft, flattering images. Shoot near a large window and diffuse the light with a sheer curtain to avoid harsh shadows.
Artificial Light
Sometimes, you need more control, especially for indoor shoots. Softboxes, ring lights, and LED panels can offer consistent lighting. Remember, the goal is to eliminate shadows and highlight the product's features.
Light Placement
Experiment with different light placements. Front lighting works well for flat lays, while side lighting can add depth and dimension. Backlighting can create a halo effect, perfect for products with translucent elements.
3. Backgrounds Matter
White Backgrounds
A clean white background is a staple in e-commerce photography. It keeps the focus on the product and looks professional (and some platforms require it). You can achieve a clean white background with a lightbox or using white foam boards.
Colored & Textured Backgrounds
Color backgrounds can complement the product and create a mood. Use these subtly branded product images for your brand’s e-commerce site (as opposed to large e-commerce platforms like Amazon or Target). Just make sure they don’t distract from the product. Solid colors or subtle textures work best.
4. Angles & Compositions
Multiple Angles
Provide potential customers with multiple views of the product. Shoot from the front, back, sides, and top. Close-ups of essential details like textures or features can also be very helpful.
Rule of Thirds
Use the rule of thirds for a balanced composition. Imagine a grid over your image and place the product or key elements along these lines or their intersections.
Scale or lifestyle Shots
Including an object of known size can help convey the product’s size if it’s relevant for customers. For example, you could place a coin next to jewelry or show a model holding a handbag.
5. Post-Processing Magic
Basic Edits
Enhance your images using editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation to make the product pop. I typically recommend avoiding AI for major edits or retouching since it may look fake or overly enhanced.
Background Removal
Sometimes, you may need to remove the background entirely. Tools like Photoshop’s “Select and Mask” or online services like Remove.bg can help you achieve a clean cut-out. You can remove the background on your iPhone, too.
Consistent Look
Apply the same editing settings to all your photos to maintain a consistent look across your product range and curate a cohesive online store.
6. Consistency is Key
Uniform Shots
Keep your camera settings, lighting, and background consistent for all products. This uniformity creates a professional appearance and builds trust with your customers.
Standard Dimensions
Crop your images to the same dimensions to make your e-commerce site look neat and organized.
7. Stay Updated and Inspired
Stay Ahead of Trends
The world of photography is constantly evolving. Follow blogs, join photography forums, and watch tutorials to stay updated on the latest trends and techniques. You may not want to copy the trends and blend into the crowd, but you’ll find some relevant inspiration!
Get Inspired
Look at other successful e-commerce sites and see what they’re doing right. Pinterest and Instagram are goldmines for creative ideas. Take note as you shop on sites like Amazon, too. Which product images are turn-offs, and why? Which images stand out and make you want to buy?
Don't Want to Mess with All That?
I've got you! Whether you're a local Minneapolitan or do business elsewhere, I specialize in high-quality, well-formatted e-commerce images for multiple platforms. Let's get connected and chat about your brand and project. You can always pop your products in the mail so I can work some e-commerce photography magic.