How to Boost Online Sales with Effective Product Photography for E-commerce?

If you own an online store, you are aware of how crucial it is to present your goods in the best possible way. In addition to serving as a means of product presentation, product photography also serves as a means of brand identity communication, customer attraction, and purchase persuasion.

A Shopify survey found that 50% of online consumers give image quality a very essential consideration when making a purchase. Additionally, a different BigCommerce study found that 78% of online buyers desire more product photos on e-commerce websites.

But taking pictures of products is more complex than just pointing and shooting. To design photographs that sell, you must take into account a number of factors, including lighting, background, composition, angles, editing, and optimization.

Top 6 recommendations for improving your e-commerce product photos.

1. Use a Quality Camera

Using a good camera is the first step to taking high-quality product images. You don't have to spend money on a high-end DSLR or mirrorless camera, but you do require a camera that can take crisp, detailed pictures.

If your smartphone camera has a strong lens and settings that let you change the exposure, focus, and white balance, you can use them. You may create breathtaking close-ups with the help of portrait mode or macro mode on some smartphones.

However, you might want to spend money on a dedicated camera with a larger sensor, greater resolution, and interchangeable lenses if you want more control and flexibility over your images. A tripod is another option for supporting your camera and avoiding blurry photos

2. Select the Proper Background

Your product shots' backgrounds can make or break the final product. You want to pick a background that emphasizes the attributes of your product, contrasts with it, and adds depth.

White is the background colour of choice for e-commerce product photos. White backgrounds are straightforward, spotless, and expert. They also remove any distractions and make your goods stand out. Additionally, white backgrounds are simple to change and adapt for various platforms and devices.
White backgrounds are not the only choice, though. You can also apply additional hues or textures that correspond with your brand's aesthetic or your chosen product category. For example, you may utilize wood backgrounds for rustic or natural things or black backgrounds for expensive or sophisticated goods.

Additionally, you can employ props or extras to give your product more context or value. You could, for instance, utilize jewellery, candles, literature, or flowers to evoke a particular lifestyle or mood for your product. Just be careful that the props don't overpower your goods and are appropriate.

3. Use Natural or Artificial Lighting

One of the most important aspects of product photography is lighting. Your photographs' exposure, colour, contrast, and clarity are all impacted by the lighting. It also has an impact on the ambience and tone of your pictures.

Natural and artificial illumination are the two main categories. The light that comes from the sun or the sky is known as natural lighting. The light that comes from lamps, flashes, or other sources is known as artificial lighting.

For product photography, natural light is typically favoured since it is pleasing, even, and soft. Additionally, it produces organic shadows and highlights that give your product depth and authenticity. The utilization of natural illumination is also cost-free and simple.

Natural light isn't always accessible or reliable, though. Depending on the season, day of the week, and location. For some items, it could also be too harsh or too dark.

Compared to natural illumination, artificial lighting is more dependable and regulated. Artificial lighting can be used to give your goods whatever effect or atmosphere you desire. To fit your demands, you can also change the artificial lighting's colour, intensity, and direction.

However, installing artificial illumination can be costly and time-consuming. You must have the necessary tools and extras, like stands, lamps, flashes, diffusers, and reflectors. To use artificial illumination properly, you must also possess the necessary abilities and information.

Make sure your product is well-lit and uniformly exposed whether you employ natural or artificial lighting. Avoid harsh shadows, glares, and other Avoid reflections that can hide or distort the characteristics of your product.

4. Take Multiple Shots from Different Angles

To accurately represent your product's size, shape, and qualities in a two-dimensional image is one of the problems of e-commerce product photography. Fill your product photography portfolios with numerous photographs of your product from various perspectives and angles in order to overcome this difficulty.

You may better display your product's features, functionality, and quality by taking several pictures of it. Additionally, it can assist you in emphasizing its advantages, advantages, and special selling factors.
Take pictures of the front, side, rear, top, and bottom of a pair of shoes, for instance, if you are selling them. You can also take pictures of the interior of the shoes, the sole, the laces, and the branding.

Several pictures of your product can also assist you win over more customers' trust and contentment. You might see a decrease in consumer inquiries, grievances, or returns. Additionally, it can enhance conversion, retention, and consumer engagement.

A Salsify study found that 66% of online buyers prefer to view at least three photos of a product before making a purchase. Furthermore, 58% of online shoppers believe that product photos are more significant than product evaluations or ratings, according to different BigCommerce research.

5. Use a Mannequin or a Model

Utilizing a model or mannequin to showcase your product is another approach to enhance your e-commerce product photography. For things like clothing, accessories, or jewellery, this is very helpful.

You can demonstrate how your product appears, fits, and feels on a human body by using a model or mannequin. You can use it to demonstrate numerous ways to wear, use, and style your product.

You can establish a relationship with your customers by using a model or mannequin. It can assist you in appealing to their feelings, tastes, and aspirations. It can also assist you in reflecting the personality and values of your brand.

For instance, if you are offering a dress for sale, you can a mannequin or figure to demonstrate how the garment moves, drapes, and flows. To demonstrate how the dress can be worn with alternative shoes, bags, or accessories, you can also utilize a model or mannequin.

However, utilizing a model or mannequin has its disadvantages as well. You must take into account the price, accessibility, and variety of models or mannequins. Models or mannequin styling, posing, and editing should also be taken into account.

6. Enhance and Edit Your Images

Editing and optimizing your photos is the last thing you should do to improve your e-commerce product photography. You may improve your photographs' quality, appearance, and performance by editing and optimizing them.

Your photographs can be edited to improve their appearance and accuracy by changing their exposure, contrast, colour, sharpness, and other factors. To enhance the composition and alignment of your photographs, you can also crop, resize, rotate, or straighten them.

To help your photographs load more quickly and use less bandwidth, you can optimize them by lowering their file size and format. To make your photographs more search engine friendly and accessible, you may also add metadata, alt text, and captions.

You may enhance the functionality and user experience of your e-commerce site by editing and optimizing your photo ranking and experience. Additionally, it might aid in boosting sales, conversions, and traffic to your website.

To edit and enhance your photographs, you can use a variety of programs and tools like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, or Adobe Spark. Additionally, you can use online plugins or programs like TinyPNG, ImageOptim, or Smush to automate or streamline the process.

Conclusion

Product photography is a crucial component of successful e-commerce. You may enhance your e-commerce product photography and increase your online sales by using the advice in this article.

• Use a high-quality camera to take crisp, detailed pictures of your product.
• Pick a background that goes well with your product, highlights its characteristics, and adds depth and contrast.
• Use well-lit, even natural or artificial lighting to illuminate your goods; keep reflections, glares, and harsh shadows to a minimum.
• Take numerous pictures of your goods from various views and angles to highlight their finer points, features, and craftsmanship.
• To demonstrate how your product appears, fits, and feels on a human body, use a model or mannequin.
• To improve the quality of your photographs, edit and optimize their performance and appearance.

By using these suggestions, you may produce eye-catching product photos that draw customers, convince them to make purchases and boost your online sales.