How to take good product photos: A step-by-step guide
Les Product photos play an essential role in the success of an e-commerce site. They not only illustrate a product, but directly influence the purchase decision.
In this article, we will guide you step by step to take professional and effective product photos. We will discuss the different types of photos, as well as 15 tips to optimize your visuals.
These tips fit perfectly into a global e-commerce strategy, especially in connection with a Product Information Management (PIM) system Like that of SolidPepper, which centralizes product information for more fluid management.
The steps to take professional product photos
1. Preparing the equipment
The first step to successful product photography is to equip yourself well. One professional SLR camera is ideal, but more and more high-end smartphones, like iPhones or Samsung Galaxy, allow you to capture images in high definition.
Complete this equipment with a tripod to stabilize the device and avoid blur of movement.
tip : If you have a limited budget, choose light And the stability. Good lighting and a tripod are more important than a high-end device.
2. Take care of the lighting
Lighting is one of the most important elements for successful photos.
Give priority to natural light, but if you work indoors or in the evening, opt for soft LED lamps to recreate uniform lighting without shadows.
tip : use a reflector Or a simple white sheet to diffuse the light and eliminate hard shadows.
3. Choose a neutral background
A white or light gray background is often recommended because it highlights the product without distraction.
If you are using a color background or textured, make sure that it is in harmony with your product and that it does not distract attention.
4. Frame the product correctly
The scoping is essential. The product should be well centered and take up a large part of the image.
If you're shooting small or medium sized products, be sure to leave enough space around them so they can be seen as a whole.
tip : Make several shots (near, far, diagonally, etc.) to offer a variety of angles and allow customers to clearly visualize the product.
5. Retouch photos
Once photos are taken, use software like Photoshop or Lightroom to adjust light, color, and contrast.
Be careful not to retouch too much so as not to deceive the consumer about the reality of the product.
tip : If you're new to photo editing, free tools like Canva or Fotor may be sufficient for basic corrections.
The different types of product photos
Each type of product photo has a specific role in the presentation of an article. It is advisable to combine several to give an overview.
1. Photos on a white background
The photos on white background are a standard for product sheets. They allow the product to be presented in a clear and professional manner. It is a mandatory format on marketplaces like Amazon.
2. Lifestyle photos
The lifestyle photos show the product in its environment of use. For example, a piece of furniture will be presented in a living room, or a jacket will be worn by a model. This helps the consumer to plan ahead.
3. 360 degree views
Increasingly common, these views allow customers to see the product from all angles by rotating it on its own axis. This interactive approach builds customer trust and reduces product returns.
4. Zoom in on the details
Some product categories, such as jewelry, clothing, or electronic devices, benefit from a zoom in on details. This allows specific textures, finishes, or components to be shown.
Our 15 essential tips to make your product photos a success
Here are 15 tips to make sure your photos are successful and attract potential customers:
- Use a tripod to avoid motion blur and get a clear image.
- Prefer natural light or invest in soft lighting for a professional look.
- Avoid reflections on glossy surfaces by adjusting the angle of the lighting.
- Use a neutral background (white or light gray) to highlight your product.
- Multiply the angles of view to allow customers to clearly visualize the product.
- Take care of the details : clean the product before photographing it, especially if it is clothing or reflective surfaces.
- Add a human element to lifestyle photos, like a mannequin or a hand that manipulates the product.
- Go for high resolution so users can zoom in without losing image quality.
- Retouch your photos to adjust brightness and contrast, but stay true to the appearance of the product.
- Standardize the style for all your photos in order to create visual harmony on your site.
- Use a reflector to soften the shadows and balance the light.
- Create simple stagings : accessories must be discreet and complementary to the product.
- Test your photos on different screens to make sure they are of good quality on mobile and desktop.
- Avoid overloaded backgrounds which could distract attention from the main product.
- Use PIM software like that of SolidPepper to centralize your images and product descriptions, and distribute them effectively on your various sales channels.
Why is SolidPepper part of this strategy?
SolidPepper Suggest solutions PIM (Product Information Management), MDM (master data management) and DAM (Digital Asset Management) that allow businesses to centralize and manage their product information, create optimized product sheets, including images, descriptions, and videos.
This not only simplifies the management of product sheets, but also guarantees a homogeneous quality of visuals across all broadcast channels.
By using SolidPepper's tools, you can not only manage professional product photos, but also easily integrate them into your catalogs and online stores.
Conclusion
Make Product photos quality is an essential step for any online store. These images are often the first visual contact a customer makes, with the product, and they can make the difference between a simple visitor and a buyer.
Follow the steps and tips offered here, and rely on solutions like SolidCatalogue, will help you improve the quality of your product photos and increase your conversions.
Centralized management of images and product information is a major asset in today's e-commerce.
Discover all the opportunities of SolidCatalogue for your business.
FAQS
Why are product photos essential for e-commerce?
Product photos help reassure customers, improve the shopping experience and reduce product returns.
How many photos should I take per product?
It is recommended that you take at least 3 to 5 photos from different angles for each product.
What type of lighting is ideal for product photos?
Natural light is ideal, but indoors, soft LED lights can recreate even lighting without shade.
Do I need to edit my product photos?
Yes, retouching allows you to adjust the brightness and colors to make the image more attractive, while remaining faithful to the real product.
How to integrate product photos into an e-commerce strategy?
Use a platform like SolidPepper to centralize your images and descriptions, and distribute them effectively across all your sales channels.
