Is named Product photography to the type of photography that aims to show in detail the characteristics of an item that is for sale. These photos are used to present a product to potential customers, whether in an online store, on social networks, as part of advertising campaigns, in physical catalogs, etc.
In this article, we are going to explore the characteristics of one type in particular: product photography for e-commerce. We are also going to share some tips for taking professional quality photos and we will share some examples that will fill you with inspiration.
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What is product photography?
Product photography is a specific type of photography used in e-commerce to attractively present your items to your potential customers. The product photo is a fundamental element in any online business that, when properly applied, enhances the value and visual perception of the brand, thus arousing interest in the consumer.
For this reason, in this guide we are going to share the keys to taking photos of this style like a professional and, thus, increase the chances of sales in your e-commerce.
What is the product photo for?
Product photography is the most important piece of any online business. Through it, potential customers can see in detail what the item they want to buy is like, and this can make the purchase faster.
Product photography is of great importance for:
1. Arouse the interest of potential buyers in the product.
2. Differentiate the products of an e-commerce from those of the competition.
3. Bring the product closer to the buyer and better understand the item they wish to purchase.
4. Help decision-making by being a persuasive element to finalize the purchase.
5. Convey a more professional and serious image of an online store.
The objective of this type of photography is to focus all the attention of consumers on a single element: the product. To achieve this, the photo shows as much information as possible such as size, color, texture and accessories of the piece from different angles.
The secret is to pay special attention to the creation of these photographs and discover what style works best with your brand.
What do you need to do product photography?
To do product photography like a professional, you must have a team that helps you take quality images. If you are passionate about photography, you can invest in tools intended for specialized use, however it is possible to obtain good results using elements that you have at home.
The basic tools you need to take a product photo are:
1. A camera (you can use the one on your smartphone if you don’t have a professional camera)
2. A lamp or light source
3. A white background (you can improvise it with cardboard or a foam board)
4. Your product to be photographed
To this basic list you can add:
- a light box
- A tripod or tripod
- a turntable
- a cyclorama
- a zoom lens
And many more tools. The product photo can really be as specialized as you require. There is very advanced equipment in photography stores, however the needs and the investment you make in this material depend on you and how much you like this creative branch.
How to do product photography?
In this section we share four tips for you to create your own product photos like a professional and take your online business to the next level.
1. Take care of the lighting for product photography
Lighting is the most important point to take into account when taking a photograph since it largely defines how attractive the image is going to be.
To take a product photo, you can choose between two types of lights:
- Natural light.
- Artificial light (which, in turn, can be warm, cold or neutral).
In the case of the product photo, the ideal is to take it with natural light or with artificial light but in a neutral or cold temperature. Keep in mind that the important thing at this point is not to mix the different types of lights or temperatures: by choosing only one you will obtain better quality images.
If you are just starting out in the world of photography, we recommend that you opt for natural light as it is easier to manage. In any case, artificial lights have in their favor that they allow you to take photos without changes between product and product, especially if the photo session lasts many hours.
Watch the following video and learn how to set up the set to take photos of your items:
2. Use a light box for product photography
To take your product photos you have the option to build or buy a light box.
What is a light box?
A light or cube of light is a flexible box, sometimes made of plastic or fabric that is used to illuminate different types of items due to the way in which the light reflects on its walls, providing a soft, diffuse and indirect light that helps for the photo to acquire better quality.
The light box is an excellent tool that helps to get well lit and make the article stand out.
How to make a lightbox for photos at home?
1. Choose a corrugated cardboard box or a plastic box that is suitable for the size of the objects you will photograph.
2. Reinforce the bottom and the corners with some masking tape.
3. With matte white cloth or white cardboard, line the inside of the box, trying to leave stains or folds that are noticeable to the naked eye.
4. Add light to the box through a cordless lamp.
In this case, the product photo can be taken using two cold light lamps, one on each side of the box. The important is that diffuse that cold light with tissue paper for a softer lighting effect.
3. Take advantage of backgrounds for product photography
Backgrounds for photos are essential when taking a photo, since they are the ones that will allow the product to stand out and harmonize the image.
White background
The totally white photographic background guarantees that the photographed product is the protagonist of the image, the central piece. Keep in mind that it can be accompanied by elements that complement the aesthetics and functionality of the article, but always without overshadowing it.
On the other hand, photographing with this type of background makes it easier to edit the image as it allows you to cut out the product without difficulty and place it, for example, on a white digital background.
colored background
Another background option for product photography is color, as long as they are tones that represent your brand and you consider that they combine or contrast with the item you are going to photograph.
In the next sections we will see the different types of product photography and, there, you will discover that some photographs do not need these background styles since the article is in context, that is, in a situation of use. Keep reading this guide to find out more!
4. Learn to position the camera to take professional photos
As we told you in the first video, in addition to configuring the quality of the image you are going to take on the camera (we suggest that it be the highest possible, that way the editing stage is easier), to take your product photos professionals we recommend:
- Locate the camera at the same height than the item you are going to photograph.
- Use a tripod to obtain greater stability and avoid all types of movement.
- Try different photography angles to find out which options are best for the item.
- Check that your photos have “air”that is, there is an empty space between the edges of the image and the product, unless you photograph a detail of it.
- Take product photos from a zenithal plane (which is when the camera is placed perpendicular to the ground) accompanied by other elements that complement the scene.
By following these tips, you will be able to take professional photos.
Brand identity in product photography
The concept of branding is used to refer to the process of building a brand.
In this process, it seeks to highlight the values that represent it, the ideas linked to it (such as lifestyle, for example) and its differentials with respect to the competition. That is, brand identity.
It is important to highlight that all the elements that make up a brand influence its image and the behavior that consumers have (or may have) towards it. This is where product photography comes in.
If a business does not take care of its photographic identity, it can undermine its efforts to convey its unique personality and values.
Product photography evokes, without words, the way of being of the brand: who it is, what it does, how it does it, who it does it for. This means that it is a graphic resource that has great potential for communication and expressive capacity that, if well used, can lead the customer to purchase faster.
The best advice we can give you to get the most out of your product photos is to be consistent between the image you show and what you want to convey as a brand.
Communicative coherence is key for your message to have an impact on the consumer and, at the same time, to improve the identity and positioning of your brand in the online world.
Types of product photography
There are different types of photography that can help you bring your products closer to your potential customers and that are complementary to each other (that is, one does not necessarily replace the other). Your choice will depend on the product you want to display.
We share the 3 main types of photography to apply in your:
1. Lifestyle photography (lifestyle)
This type of photography seeks to associate, in the same context, a specific product with other items that the target audience finds attractive. In this way, more than a product is offered: a lifestyle is offered.
Watch the second video in the series and learn how to get photos of lifestyle for your products:
This aspirational photography can lead customers to define themselves more quickly for the purchase because, through it, they already have a previous idea of how they could use the product.
Look at the example of the Tiendanube Oikos Design that, in this photo, promotes its minimalist bathtub:
2. Texture Photography
Texture photography allows the online customer to have a “near touch” experience with the product you want to buy.
To achieve this type of photography, it is ideal that you take a photo of the item very closely so that you can distinguish the texture of the material.
In addition, you can take advantage of (extreme approach to the product) that your Tiendanube offers you so that the…
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