What are some common mistakes to avoid when photographing products for e-commerce?

What are some common mistakes to avoid when photographing products for e-commerce?

Every year, internet shopping overtakes other forms of trade in popularity. Billions of individuals worldwide are already skimming the pages of online store catalogs, trying to find anything intriguing. As a result, businesses hoping to succeed in the marketplace are progressively entering the e-commerce space. These days, photography serves as the primary component and the link between the customer and the product that can lead to a sale.

The problem is that the Internet is overflowing with all kinds of images and various content, so it is extremely important to attract and interest the buyer with your product. It can only be accomplished by taking stunning, premium-quality photos that are marketable. While every seller aspires to achieve the greatest possible outcome, this is not always possible. Do you want your luxury product to become well-known and for sales to soar while maintaining its popularity? Avoiding these typical mistakes while photographing things for e-commerce will help you grow your business. StylePhotos shares these faults in this article.

Inadequate equipment will negate all of your hard work.

Everybody has a smartphone these days, and amateur photographers believe they can take reasonably good pictures with them. Remembering the different custom cameras is important. If you're on vacation and need to take a picture of your pals or a monument, this is a terrific idea. For topic photography, you must set up specific environments, employ tools and equipment from a professional, and be knowledgeable about the procedures. In this manner, the pictures will appear credible and give off confidence.

One photo means nothing to the buyer.

According to recent surveys, on average, 2/3 of buyers lose interest in an item if only 1 photo is offered. Ideally, it should have 3-5 pictures from different angles/sides. It is better to take photos from the front, side, and back, supplementing them with close-ups. Also, the number of additional professional images can serve as an indicator of the product's premium nature. The closer a product is to the luxury price segment, the more photo accompaniment it can

An unbalanced arrangement in the frame reduces the concentration

The random assortment of products in the frame detracts from the catalog's overall image and is unclear. Make sure the product takes up the entire space and that there are no more than 5–15% margins surrounding it.

Not every retouching is a sales tool.

Have you decided to take a photo of your product with a regular phone or amateur equipment and "correct" the flaws with retouching? A common mistake is over-processing the image so that the product and other elements depicted on it look unnatural. Another point is that not every Photoshop user has enough experience to carry out high-quality retouching. If you shoot in a professional studio, using special tools for processing may not be necessary. In any case, a specialist should do the retouching.

Avoid reflections and shadows.

Remember that there is a category of goods that is difficult to photograph to get a uniform image without unnecessary details. For example, glossy surfaces, jewelry, and glass can complicate the photographer's life. However, extra reflections, glare, and excessive shadows can be avoided if you are familiar with the nuances and know how to use a professional camera with reflectors. The opposite of "shadow" work is that items placed entirely in the dark also have an unpleasant appearance of hanging in the air. Therefore, you will benefit from the moderate presence of natural shadows.

Not all white backgrounds are white.

You may have noticed that on significant marketplaces like Amazon, the key rule of thumb for product placement is that the background is white (#FFFFFFFF). The most minor changes can distort the attractiveness of the white tone, turning it into a "dirty" one.

Accurate lighting is the key to a correct impression.

Regarding professional e-commerce product photography, you should always remember the balance, intensity of light, tone, and temperature - it always affects the final result. Naturally, you can use the window's natural light to snap hundreds of pictures, then select one that is most appropriate. Renting a picture studio equipped with a unique lighting system, flashes, backlights, softboxes, and reflectors can yield the most remarkable results for those who demand quality without wasting time.

Don't take tripods lightly.

The way things are photographed for e-commerce needs to be consistent in both appearance and viewpoint, as this greatly influences how products are seen visually. Additionally, keep in mind that holding the camera in your hands may result in blurred pictures. With a tripod, getting the right outcome and flawless session shots is easier. Clear, wide-angle identical session images of the products can be effortlessly taken by employing a camera stand.

If things don't look good, it won't impress anyone.

Messy, rumpled clothing and unevenly positioned objects not only look awful but also make it harder for the buyer to envision how the items will actually look. Imagine the object in all its grandeur and see it right away. As a result, get rid of flaws and irregularities before shooting, and either iron or let things fall.

Using a model is also an art.

Of course, the item on the model that is being photographed will draw greater attention, particularly if it is clothing or an accessory. Nevertheless, you must skillfully get the model into the frame. Something that will detract from the product's impression:

  • A model that does not fit the thematic or age category of the target audience.
  • Excessive concentration on the model - the photographer must first and foremost showcase the product favorably.
  • A shot level below or above the model's eyes will significantly visually distort the image.
  • Unnatural look - a "strained" smile, incomprehensible movements cause contradictory feelings.

Unclear perspective discourages purchase.

The main rule of successful selling is to offer the customer the most precise possible information about the product. If you want to experiment with angles, consider how often you observe a particular item in the chosen position. Keep it as natural as possible and avoid curves that introduce ambiguity. A set of shots: front, back, side, 45-degree angle, and rotation around its axis is usually a winner.

Incorrect exposure ruins the whole thing!

It can be a problem of using professional equipment insufficiently or a lack of experience or knowledge of concepts such as ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. When taking a photo, too much or too little light can fall on the camera sensor, which is likely to make the image much lighter or darker than it really is. And it's one thing if you've overdone it and the background is a different shade because of it, and quite another when the tone of the product's coloring has changed. Did you know that about 54% of customers give "color mismatch" as the reason for returning a product? Correct this mistake, and the topic of returns will stop bothering you.

The fascination with props leads to lower sales.

Do you wish to use unique photo and presentation techniques to set your catalog apart from the competitors? It might work well for a few product categories. Many individuals employ extra decorations, props, and vibrant backgrounds to achieve this. But most of the time, all these extras do little more than obscure the product and fail to attract interest. Another factor is a simple white background; nothing extraneous should block the buyer's view of the great product right in front of them.

Low resolution - low status

The days of seeing a low-resolution picture on a screen and using your imagination to see the entire image are over. Even the priciest and highest-end products will appear cheap at low resolution. Don't include any photos in the catalog that are smaller than 1200 by 1200 pixels; instead, let the customer view the product in all its beauty.

Strive for perfection and agree only on high-quality photos.

Of course, unconditional perfectionism is an exaggeration of the requirements for photography. However, in no case should you agree to low quality. Even if you feel sorry for the time spent on your handmade photos, do not exhibit them if they do not meet the generally accepted standards. It is better to conduct a new photo session, use professional equipment, and trust a specialist in this field. As long-term practice shows, low-quality photos significantly reduce the product's value.

Conclusion

Successful e-commerce starts with carefully chosen professional product photographs. You must avoid the typical mistakes outlined in this post if you want to draw clients and stimulate their interest in your offering. Examine the equipment, lighting, background, perspective, angles, and image resolution to ensure your product reaches its intended audience. Renting a photo studio is a terrific option if setting aside and outfitting a space for a picture shoot is not possible. It allows a professional photographer to employ costly gear and unique surroundings to create images. Invest in a successful company and take eye-catching pictures of your products!

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