getting funky to stay fresh: how to be bold with your product photos
According to estimates, there are over 9 million ecommerce sites worldwide. With so much competition, you need a way to stand out—that's where great product photography comes in.
As an online business owner, you undoubtedly already know how fantastic your products are. However, until a consumer gets their hands on one of your offerings, all they have to reference are the photos + videos you've posted.
With the ecommerce world growing more each year, there’s never been a better time to invest in high-quality, eye-catching product photography for your business. Bold product photos can help build trust with your customers and give you that much-needed creative edge.
Ready to create funky, fun photos that pop off the page? Here are our top 10 tips for mastering the art of creative product photography.
tip #1: use backdrops to set the mood
When discussing creative product photography ideas, one of the first things that come to mind is photo backdrops. A backdrop can make or break a photo. When picking a photo backdrop, start by thinking about the style and mood you’re trying to create in the photo.
Do you want to depict a light, calming effect or a dark, sultry one? Do you want to dazzle potential customers with a mix of bright colors? Or, do you want to present a more subtle, neutral look?
It’s also important to note that your backdrop needs to match your brand style. When in doubt, reference your brand guidelines and color palette choices. Choose backdrop colors that complement and blend well with your unique style. To keep things funky and fresh, add a fun pattern or fabric to elevate the mood and make your products pop off the page.
tip #2: lighting is everything
In photography, lighting is everything. Lighting and its corresponding effects allow you to creatively capture the right tone and emotion in a photo. Proper lighting also helps you convey information about your product–its features, benefits, and real-life qualities.
There are a plethora of different lighting options used in photography. The ideal lighting setup will depend on your budget, products, and brand style.
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For example, if you’re trying to achieve a soft, natural look for your beauty product shots, you'll want to shoot outside or utilize studio lighting tools to mimic the sun's natural light effect. In contrast, if you're trying to create a bold, inviting look for your food item, we recommend using a combination of studio lighting.
tip #3: eliminate distractions
One of the most common photography mistakes is leaving (or adding) too many distracting props or elements to a photo. Distractions break the viewer's connection by drawing their attention away from the main subject. A clean, uncluttered shot captures your product and brand story more effectively and tells the viewer exactly what they’re viewing.
You can eliminate distractions from your product shots in a couple of ways. First, choose additional photo elements that enhance the story you’re trying to tell. If your eye is naturally drawn to a prop and not the product, remove it. Next, focus on lighting. Avoid any unnecessary shadows or lighting effects that distract the eye.
tip #4: capture all the variants
If your product comes in different sizes, colors, or versions, why not capture all of them? Give your audience a look at all their available options so they can compare and choose their favorite.
When shooting the different variants of your products, be sure to stay consistent. You don’t want to confuse your customers by having drastically different layouts or styles for the same product. One easy way to do this is by selecting the same color scheme or photo composition for a product category and swapping out the different variants within the same theme.
tip #5: put your product in context
Context is an essential story-telling element in product photography. Setting a realistic scene allows your customers to envision what a product will look and feel like in real life. Adding context to your photos also directly impacts your sales as it gives shoppers more purchasing confidence.
Selling clothing? Use professional models to put a friendly face behind the item and set the scene. For example, if you sell swimwear, place your model in a cheerful, bright location that evokes summertime vibes. Selling boho home goods? Use a wall or faux living room scene to showcase how amazing your product will look inside their home.
Don’t forget about tip #3! Always try to keep the set simple and intentional to avoid drawing attention away from your product
tip #6: try some symmetry
In photography, symmetry occurs when elements of a composition mirror one another and visually balance each other out. Symmetrical, proportional photos create a sense of order and are pleasing to the eye. Photographers often utilize this technique in product photos to create a clean, balanced look.
There are several forms of symmetry—from vertical to horizontal to reflective. One of the most common uses in product photography is reflective symmetry. Reflections effectively mirror the natural shape of a product and add depth and dimension to a photo.
If you’re looking for new, creative ways to grab your audience’s attention, try arranging your product shots with the principle of symmetry in mind.
tip #7: have fun with flat lays
A flat lay is a photo taken from above—sometimes referred to as a birds-eye view. Flat lays are one of the most popular layout options for ecomm stores. You can use flat lays to showcase a single product or a group of neatly arranged items.
Taking the perfect flat lay shot takes a little practice and planning. Start by selecting the right surface for your photo. You can experiment with different surface colors and thicknesses. Next, think about your lighting. Ensure the lighting is bright and defined so the eye goes directly to your product. Lastly, lean on your knowledge of photo composition to arrange your flat lay. Play around with different arrangements to get the perfect, trendy look.
tip #8: use props
Props are a styling kit essential. They’re one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to add creativity and visual appeal to your product shots. From geometric shapes to floral accents, you can use thousands of props to enhance the look of your photos.
Before shopping for props, think about how props can support your brand message and product story. If you’re selling an accessory like a watch, try adding fabrics or textiles to the shot to elevate its elegance and style. If you’re selling a skincare product, experiment with plants or floral accents for added freshness.
Be mindful of the size and quantity of your props. You don’t want to overcrowd the photo or mislead customers into thinking a product is bigger (or smaller) than it appears.
tip #9: take close-up shots
In some instances, you may want to draw attention to smaller product features. Close-up shots are versatile and well-suited for any item that is small in size or has a high level of detail. Not only do these types of shots highlight product details, but they also help customers envision what a product might look or feel like in their hands.
With micro, close-up shots, you can highlight things like how a diamond ring catches the light, the intricate stitching on a leather purse, or the distinctive wood grain on a custom-made table. When building your shot list, add a few micro shots to showcase your product in action and give your photos a more delicate, detailed look.
tip #10: use angles
Shooting your products from various angles gives your customers a fuller, more detailed perspective of what your product looks and feels like in real life.
For instance, if you’re selling clothing, shoot the item from several angles to showcase the piece's texture, design, and fit. Similarly, if you’re selling accessories like sunglasses, take a picture of the glasses straight on and from the side to give customers a full view of the product.
Changing a customer's visual perspective, even slightly, can have a big impact. A low-angle photograph, for instance, can amplify the perceived scale of your product while emphasizing its finer details. A high-angle shot can help your product pop against a plain background, offering a greater sensation of depth.
Get creative with your product shots and experiment with different gravity-defying angles that entice and inform your customers.
create bold product photos with soona
Taking great, high-quality product photos is crucial to the success of your online shop, but it is also one of the most time-consuming tasks you'll have to complete. Whether you decide to do-it-yourself or hire a pro, improving your product photography can give you the bold, creative edge you need to stand out in today’s competitive ecommerce world.
At soona, we provide a virtual photoshoot platform that makes exploring the style of your brand fun and easy. Our product photography packs give you everything you need to create stunning images of your products. If you’re ready to take your product photos to the next level and build a library of high-impact, affordable content, then it’s time to book a shoot with us today!
getting funky to stay fresh: how to be bold with your product photos
According to estimates, there are over 9 million ecommerce sites worldwide. With so much competition, you need a way to stand out—that's where great product photography comes in.
As an online business owner, you undoubtedly already know how fantastic your products are. However, until a consumer gets their hands on one of your offerings, all they have to reference are the photos + videos you've posted.
With the ecommerce world growing more each year, there’s never been a better time to invest in high-quality, eye-catching product photography for your business. Bold product photos can help build trust with your customers and give you that much-needed creative edge.
Ready to create funky, fun photos that pop off the page? Here are our top 10 tips for mastering the art of creative product photography.
tip #1: use backdrops to set the mood
When discussing creative product photography ideas, one of the first things that come to mind is photo backdrops. A backdrop can make or break a photo. When picking a photo backdrop, start by thinking about the style and mood you’re trying to create in the photo.
Do you want to depict a light, calming effect or a dark, sultry one? Do you want to dazzle potential customers with a mix of bright colors? Or, do you want to present a more subtle, neutral look?
It’s also important to note that your backdrop needs to match your brand style. When in doubt, reference your brand guidelines and color palette choices. Choose backdrop colors that complement and blend well with your unique style. To keep things funky and fresh, add a fun pattern or fabric to elevate the mood and make your products pop off the page.
tip #2: lighting is everything
In photography, lighting is everything. Lighting and its corresponding effects allow you to creatively capture the right tone and emotion in a photo. Proper lighting also helps you convey information about your product–its features, benefits, and real-life qualities.
There are a plethora of different lighting options used in photography. The ideal lighting setup will depend on your budget, products, and brand style.
{{studio-ad="/external-components"}}
For example, if you’re trying to achieve a soft, natural look for your beauty product shots, you'll want to shoot outside or utilize studio lighting tools to mimic the sun's natural light effect. In contrast, if you're trying to create a bold, inviting look for your food item, we recommend using a combination of studio lighting.
tip #3: eliminate distractions
One of the most common photography mistakes is leaving (or adding) too many distracting props or elements to a photo. Distractions break the viewer's connection by drawing their attention away from the main subject. A clean, uncluttered shot captures your product and brand story more effectively and tells the viewer exactly what they’re viewing.
You can eliminate distractions from your product shots in a couple of ways. First, choose additional photo elements that enhance the story you’re trying to tell. If your eye is naturally drawn to a prop and not the product, remove it. Next, focus on lighting. Avoid any unnecessary shadows or lighting effects that distract the eye.
tip #4: capture all the variants
If your product comes in different sizes, colors, or versions, why not capture all of them? Give your audience a look at all their available options so they can compare and choose their favorite.
When shooting the different variants of your products, be sure to stay consistent. You don’t want to confuse your customers by having drastically different layouts or styles for the same product. One easy way to do this is by selecting the same color scheme or photo composition for a product category and swapping out the different variants within the same theme.
tip #5: put your product in context
Context is an essential story-telling element in product photography. Setting a realistic scene allows your customers to envision what a product will look and feel like in real life. Adding context to your photos also directly impacts your sales as it gives shoppers more purchasing confidence.
Selling clothing? Use professional models to put a friendly face behind the item and set the scene. For example, if you sell swimwear, place your model in a cheerful, bright location that evokes summertime vibes. Selling boho home goods? Use a wall or faux living room scene to showcase how amazing your product will look inside their home.
Don’t forget about tip #3! Always try to keep the set simple and intentional to avoid drawing attention away from your product
tip #6: try some symmetry
In photography, symmetry occurs when elements of a composition mirror one another and visually balance each other out. Symmetrical, proportional photos create a sense of order and are pleasing to the eye. Photographers often utilize this technique in product photos to create a clean, balanced look.
There are several forms of symmetry—from vertical to horizontal to reflective. One of the most common uses in product photography is reflective symmetry. Reflections effectively mirror the natural shape of a product and add depth and dimension to a photo.
If you’re looking for new, creative ways to grab your audience’s attention, try arranging your product shots with the principle of symmetry in mind.
tip #7: have fun with flat lays
A flat lay is a photo taken from above—sometimes referred to as a birds-eye view. Flat lays are one of the most popular layout options for ecomm stores. You can use flat lays to showcase a single product or a group of neatly arranged items.
Taking the perfect flat lay shot takes a little practice and planning. Start by selecting the right surface for your photo. You can experiment with different surface colors and thicknesses. Next, think about your lighting. Ensure the lighting is bright and defined so the eye goes directly to your product. Lastly, lean on your knowledge of photo composition to arrange your flat lay. Play around with different arrangements to get the perfect, trendy look.
tip #8: use props
Props are a styling kit essential. They’re one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to add creativity and visual appeal to your product shots. From geometric shapes to floral accents, you can use thousands of props to enhance the look of your photos.
Before shopping for props, think about how props can support your brand message and product story. If you’re selling an accessory like a watch, try adding fabrics or textiles to the shot to elevate its elegance and style. If you’re selling a skincare product, experiment with plants or floral accents for added freshness.
Be mindful of the size and quantity of your props. You don’t want to overcrowd the photo or mislead customers into thinking a product is bigger (or smaller) than it appears.
tip #9: take close-up shots
In some instances, you may want to draw attention to smaller product features. Close-up shots are versatile and well-suited for any item that is small in size or has a high level of detail. Not only do these types of shots highlight product details, but they also help customers envision what a product might look or feel like in their hands.
With micro, close-up shots, you can highlight things like how a diamond ring catches the light, the intricate stitching on a leather purse, or the distinctive wood grain on a custom-made table. When building your shot list, add a few micro shots to showcase your product in action and give your photos a more delicate, detailed look.
tip #10: use angles
Shooting your products from various angles gives your customers a fuller, more detailed perspective of what your product looks and feels like in real life.
For instance, if you’re selling clothing, shoot the item from several angles to showcase the piece's texture, design, and fit. Similarly, if you’re selling accessories like sunglasses, take a picture of the glasses straight on and from the side to give customers a full view of the product.
Changing a customer's visual perspective, even slightly, can have a big impact. A low-angle photograph, for instance, can amplify the perceived scale of your product while emphasizing its finer details. A high-angle shot can help your product pop against a plain background, offering a greater sensation of depth.
Get creative with your product shots and experiment with different gravity-defying angles that entice and inform your customers.
create bold product photos with soona
Taking great, high-quality product photos is crucial to the success of your online shop, but it is also one of the most time-consuming tasks you'll have to complete. Whether you decide to do-it-yourself or hire a pro, improving your product photography can give you the bold, creative edge you need to stand out in today’s competitive ecommerce world.
At soona, we provide a virtual photoshoot platform that makes exploring the style of your brand fun and easy. Our product photography packs give you everything you need to create stunning images of your products. If you’re ready to take your product photos to the next level and build a library of high-impact, affordable content, then it’s time to book a shoot with us today!
