E-commerce success is all dependent on captivating product photos. And most small businesses fail here because they think it needs high-end cameras, professional photographers, a lot of expenses, and a professional studio with studio lighting to get it done correctly. But the secret lies in understanding fundamental photography principles, using a few of the best product photography tips, and sidestepping common errors.
In this guide, I am going to share my 25 actionable tips to change your product photography game like a pro. Just master these techniques to create images that will stand out and convert browsers into buyers. So…are you ready to transform the appeal of your e-commerce online store or business? Let’s follow the footprints of this guide.
Best Product Photography Tips for Beginners
Here are 25 best product photography tips for beginners. These insightful tips and tricks will help you capture compelling product photos to showcase your items beautifully and boost your sales. So, let’s shoot some good product photos using these beginner-level photography tips.
1. Plan and Strategize Before Shoot of Products
One of the first product photography tips for beginners says, “lay the groundwork for success before a single click.” But the question is: How? Hmm…thorough planning and idea generation are the central missing pieces of exceptional product photography.
You can start doing it after deeply understanding your product’s essence and defining the core purpose of your e-commerce images. Who is your target audience, and what message do you want to convey to them? With these insights, you can precisely consider every element.
For example, the photographic style, the lighting setup, appropriate props, shutter speed, and any complementary accessories are the most important elements here. More importantly, you need to anticipate post-processing needs and factor them into your initial strategy. After all, this comprehensive pre-visualization of photography setup guarantees a cohesive and worthy final result.
2. Invest in a Best Camera
Although skill outweighs equipment, a capable camera is a great asset in product photography setup. So, you must invest in a good model. It will elevate your results while ensuring professionalism and consistency. It helps you to capture intricate details with superior clarity and bring out the finest textures and features of your valuable products.
Moreover, a better camera (like the Sony, Nikon D7200, & DSLR camera) also offers enhanced low-light performance without the need of artificial lighting equipment. In this way, you can click clean shots in diverse lighting scenarios without excessive noise. Furthermore, it provides greater control over camera settings as it enables precise adjustments for exposure, depth of field, and color accuracy.
Finally, a quality camera setting has faster and even more reliable autofocus. It makes sure your subject is always critically sharp. This photography rule ultimately contributes to a higher standard of visual excellence that converts your visitors and audience into potential buyers.
3. Highlight Your Brand Identity
When it comes to photography tips for photographers, I always suggest to never miss a chance to reinforce your brand. And, a prominent display of your logo in product photos is very important for immediate brand recognition. When customers see your carefully placed logo, it builds familiarity and trust.
This conscious step often converts hesitant visitors into confident buyers. But how to ensure your brand stands out from the crowd? Here, you need to consider the size, placement, and contrast of your logo against the product and background.
If you maintain consistency in logo presentation across all your images, it will build the visual identity of your brand. In simple words, it will create a cohesive and instantly recognizable presence. For example, the above-mentioned photograph of shoes from Nike company are easily recognizable due to their logo.
4. Make Sure the Product is Clean Before Shooting
Before you even think about framing your shot, ensure your product is absolutely spotless and stunning. This is because dust, fingerprints, and minor imperfections are magnified by the camera lens. The imperfect product can detract the professional appeal from your images. So, carefully clean the item and remove any smudges or blemishes to present it in its best possible light.
Furthermore, verify that the appearance of the product in the photo precisely matches what customers will receive. If manufacturing variations exist, select the most representative item for your photoshoot. It must ensure color accuracy and consistent quality. This attention to detail ((along with addition of a white foam boards, light modifiers, diffused lighting, zoom lens, mirrorless camera, and prime lenses) builds trust and reduces returns.
5. Learn from Competitor Insights
Strategic competitor analysis is a goldmine for fresh product photography ideas, especially for beginners. You need to watch your rivals’ websites and social media presence. Then, scrutinize their lighting techniques, compositional choices, and overall photographic style.
However, the goal is not mere imitation, but rather understanding what resonates with their audience and drives their success. In this way, you will pinpoint areas where you can improve and do something new. Then, adapt these insights and infuse them with your unique brand personality using photo manipulation techniques to create brand identity photographs that differentiate you.
6. Do Not Use Light Filters
While modifiers, diffusers, and colour gels create mood, avoiding excessive artificial light filters is essential for authentic product representation in graphic designing. Light filters can compromise the ability of your high-quality camera to capture the true details and colors of your product. In short, they limit your flexibility in post-production.
Not only that, they inherently reduce the light reaching your subject. As a result, they potentially diminish the ideal light needed for an authentic, clear, and accurate image. For e-commerce, prioritize natural and unadulterated product photos that faithfully represent the real appearance of the product to the customer.
7. Keep All Initially Captured Photographs
You need to resist the urge to delete images directly from the small LCD screen of your camera. This is because judging the true quality of a photograph is notoriously difficult on such a compact display. It is more difficult when it comes to product details. So, the best practice is to retain all data on your camera’s memory card.
Then, transfer everything to a larger screen – your computer or a secure external drive – before making any decisions. This step will offer you a thorough review during the post-production product photo editing phase. It prevents you from prematurely discarding what can be a “hidden gem” or an image with unexpected potential after editing. You will thank yourself later for having the full selection.
8. Try to Use a Tripod
A tripod is a great tool for product photography for beginners. This is the best tool even for seasoned photographers because it goes far beyond just preventing shaky hands. Its primary benefit is to provide absolute stability. It is crucial for getting sharp and clear images, especially in lower light or with slower shutter speeds. In addition to that, a tripod ensures consistent framing across multiple shots.
This is essential when photographing a series of products from the exact same angle. Plus, this consistency simplifies batch editing. It creates a professional and uniform look for your online store. Furthermore, it allows for precise focusing and accurate control over your depth of field. It lets you fine-tune every element of your composition without worrying about camera movement.
9. Master the Shot, Minimize the Edit
Post-processing is a valuable tool, but never overly rely on it to fix fundamental flaws. This is because excessive editing can strip a product image of its authenticity. It can create a misleading representation for customers. So, you must capture genuine details naturally, primarily through optimal lighting and careful staging.
You can think of post-production as a complementary refinement. The bulk of the work – achieving accurate colors, sharp focus, and compelling composition – should be accomplished during the actual photoshoot. After all, your goal is to represent the product truthfully from the start.
10. Get Basic Image Editing Skills
Although professional retouching has its place, mastering fundamental image editing is a significant advantage for product photographers. It helps you to perform essential fine-tuning yourself. As a result, it bypasses potential delays and communication hurdles with outsourced editors.
Learning basic image enhancement, brightness adjustments, color correction, and fundamental composition gives you immediate control. This skill set ensures your vision for the product is directly translated into the final image. In the end, it allows for quick and precise refinements that maintain authenticity and streamline your workflow.
11. Know the Rule of Thirds
It is time to elevate your product compositions by applying the rule of thirds. This fundamental guideline divides your image into nine equal sections using two horizontal and two vertical lines. Instead of centering your product, you ought to position its key elements or focal points along these lines or (more powerfully) at their intersections.
So, this simple product photography tip or technique (or simply call it a rule of thirds) will create more dynamic and visually appealing product photographs. Next time when shooting multiple products, arrange them strategically along these gridlines. This subtle shift in placement can transform a static image into a captivating visual story. It draws the viewer’s eye naturally, especially when it is in natural light.
12. Must Understand Color Psychology
We all know that colors profoundly influence customer emotions and perceptions. So, you need to understand color psychology along with focal length. It helps you to strategically evoke specific moods and responses with your product photos. For instance, a blue background can convey trust and reliability, while red ignites urgency or excitement (as shown in the photograph).
Besides seamless backgrounds, make sure the color harmony among all elements within your shot. Sometimes, adjusting colors and white balance is essential for brand consistency. Deliberate color choices in visual content create a powerful and subconscious connection with your audience. They make your products more appealing and memorable.
13. Control Your Reflections
Shiny products are challenging to click. This is because unwanted reflections can obscure details and distract viewers. Strategically position your product, lighting, and camera to minimize glare. You can use diffusers or bounce cards to soften light and prevent harsh hotspots (only where it is necessary).
In addition to that, you must carefully consider your surroundings. Anything reflective in your studio, even your clothing, can appear on the surface of the e-commerce product. A controlled environment gives you neat, clean, and ultra-professional shots that highlight your product, not your setup.
14. Incorporate Relevant Props
Here is another one of the best product photography tips for beginners: “Props are powerful tools for providing context and connecting viewers with your product.” They transform a simple image into an interesting story that highlights the features and benefits of an item within a realistic scenario. But you need to choose props that provoke emotion and make your product stand out.
For instance, showcasing a luxury watch with elegant leather straps or an exceptionally adoring watch box immediately enhances its perceived value and appeal. These complementary elements create an aspirational presentation. Also, they make the overall image far more attractive and relatable to your target audience.
15. Take Multiple Shots
Always take many shots of your product from diverse angles and compositions. Don’t settle for the first good click. Digital photography offers endless opportunities; you should use them. Every extra frame will increase your chance of finding an exceptional image.
This strategy provides vast flexibility in post-production. You can then choose the absolute best photograph to ensure your product shines online. So, let’s maximize product photography’s potential by capturing a wide array of visual perspectives.
16. Make Your Product the Star
Your product must always be the undeniable focal point. The entire e-commerce product photograph’s purpose is to showcase it and drive sales. So, emphasize on its unique features and intricate details. This tip will ensure your customers will immediately notice what makes it special.
Although centering the product often works, remember the rule of thirds for dynamic composition. If you use props or models, they should complement, not overshadow, the product. So, see there must be nothing distracting from your main subject.
17. Follow the Photography Specifications
Always begin by understanding the precise photography requirements for your platform or client. For example, e-commerce giants like Amazon and eBay have specific image guidelines. You need to familiarize yourself with these stipulations before you even start product shooting.
This includes factors like file format, file size limits, image size, and background color. You should incorporate any special client instructions, such as prop usage. If you are meeting these specifications upfront, it saves significant time and effort in post-production while ensuring immediate usability.
18. Embrace a White Background
From most useful product photography tips, a clean white background is the best one to follow. It offers a minimalistic and uncluttered aesthetic that directs all viewer attention directly to your product. White is universally adaptable and provides a consistent look across diverse items.
Moreover, this approach aligns with prevalent e-commerce trends; customers subconsciously expect and trust product images against a white backdground. But deviating too much can create an unexpected visual. It potentially distracts from your sales objective. Only a pure white background helps your product pop.
19. Select an Ideal Background
lthough white is a staple, don’t limit your creative vision here. You should choose the background that best enhances your product. Sometimes, a carefully selected colored backdrop can highlight an item more effectively, particularly when you want to provoke a specific mood or emotion. Vibrant shades can energize, while softer tones suggest tranquility.
Furthermore, consider textured backgrounds to add a natural or tactile dimension to your e-commerce photo. Similarly, gradient backgrounds offer subtle depth, and custom backdrops can inject unique brand personality. The right background complements your product without overshadowing it.
20. Utilize Diagrams for Clarity
When the full functionality or internal structure of a product is complex, diagrams are indispensable. For example, a dissected view illustrating its various layers provides crucial understanding if you are selling a mattress. You can start by photographing the base product. Then, capture close-ups of the components you wish to highlight.
In post-production, isolate the product from its background using editing software like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Canva Enterprises, Magic Studio, and any other AI-powered tools. Then, add informative texts, annotations, and labels to create a clear and comprehensive diagram. So, this visual aid simplifies complex information. It gives a complete understanding of your product to the customers.
21. Capture Each Product Variant Individually
Do not batch-photograph similar products to cut costs or simplify inventory. This is a common mistake that undermines clarity and sales. For example, if you offer both English willow and Kashmiri willow cricket bats, photograph and present each variant on its own dedicated product page.
Separating your products helps you to emphasize the unique features and specifications that distinct customer segments are actively seeking. By doing so, you clearly demonstrate that you carry the exact item a customer desires. It creates a sense of specialization and builds confidence in what you’re offering.
22. Illustrate Product Scale
Conveying the exact size of your product is essential for online customers. Often, a standalone photo does not provide adequate context. In this case, you need to combat this by including a familiar reference object alongside your product.
So, try using a well-chosen prop. It is an excellent technique for demonstrating scale effectively. For instance, featuring a human hand holding the device immediately communicates its dimensions, especially when you are photographing electronics. This simple addition clarifies an important product feature.
23. Capture Impactful Macro Shots
For online customers, macro shots are essential for conveying product details they can’t physically examine. These extreme close-ups reveal intricate textures and highlight special features. Plus, they provide a deeper understanding of the quality and design of the product.
If you want to capture these detailed images, it requires a macro lens. It also demands precise control over lighting, an increased depth of field for sharpness, and precise focusing with reduced ISO to minimize noise. Due to their sensitivity, a sturdy tripod is useful to prevent any camera movement and ensure crystal-clear results.
24. Refine Your Photos in Post-Production
Post-production is an interesting stage to get polished product images. Image manipulation offers numerous tools to enhance and correct your photographs. If the color of your product is not perfectly accurate, color correction tools can bring it back to its true representation.
Similarly, you can remove distracting backgrounds and replace them with a consistent alternative. Techniques like shadow editing, general image enhancement, adding subtle special effects, and refining overall image composition are vital. These manipulations make your product look its absolute best. It makes a strong visual impact on potential customers.
25. Try to Add Human Elements
If you add human elements to your product photography, it creates a vital connection with your audience. Since your customers are people, seeing products in human interaction helps them visualize real-world use. You can employ a model demonstrating their experience with the e-commerce product. Or, you can just include a part of a person, like a hand.
For example, show a person holding a handbag you are photographing. This immediately helps customers understand the scale of the product, how it fits into daily life, and how it will look or feel when they use it themselves. In short, it makes your product more relatable and desirable.
Understanding Your Target Audience
You must know your target audience as it is best for effective product photography. It is not just about taking good pictures; it is about taking the right pictures for the right people. So, always research their demographics, psychographics, and online behavior. What aesthetics resonate with them? What values do they prioritize?
This understanding directly influences your creative choices. From lighting and props to models and overall mood, every decision should align to your ideal customer. Remember, tailored photos create a deeper connection. They make your products more appealing and ultimately drive higher engagement and sales.
Product Photography FAQs
What is required for product photography as a beginner?
You need a camera, tripod, white background, white bounce cards, a room with suitable lighting environment, and a beginner-level product photo editing skills.
What is an interesting fact about product photography?
Product photos are e-commerce powerhouses. Pages with such visuals attract 95% more organic traffic. Even more, 360-degree photography can boost customer engagement time by nearly 50% which is directly impacting online sales.
Which light is best for product photography?
Soft and diffused light is generally best for product or e-commerce photography. This minimizes harsh shadows and highlights. Natural daylight from a window, or artificial continuous lights with LED softboxes (or LED lights), are excellent choices for achieving this even illumination.
Which mode is best for product photography?
Manual mode is best for Ecommerce website products photography.
Final Word on 25 Product Photography Tips for Beginner Photographers
In conclusion, effective product photography thrives on simplicity, product styling, and precision. Focus on showcasing your product in its most authentic, truest, and appealing state while giving environmental touches. It is the crux of all of the above-mentioned product photography tips for beginners. Always ask: Does the photo reflect genuine colors? Is it enticing to customers? Did post-processing compromise originality?
If you start answering these questions, you are delivering compelling visuals that drive sales and build trust. Plus, you are eliminating a set of challenges that come in the way of creative ideas, soft skills, and your unique story or narrative in the real-world settings. And yes, don’t forget to use your social media strategies, especially on small products. It always works.
