We all know that people look first and read second. Human brains process visual information much faster than textual information.
93 percent of consumers say visual appearance plays a significant role in deciding whether to make a purchase based on visual information. A potential customer is more likely to make a purchase if they have more information about a product or service, and pictures are the best way to convey large amounts of information quickly.
No matter what you sell, from books and toys to beauty products to hardware tools, product photography is important. The customer will also be less likely to return an item if the item does not meet their expectations if they know what they are paying for before they buy.
Taking and using product photos for the most impact on your website and social channels can be challenging, which is why we broke down the basics for taking and using product photos.
Here are three tips to help you make the most of your images on your eCommerce store.
1. Create your own product images
You might find that your competitors use standard stock images as well. Having your own photography of the products you sell gives you a sense of authenticity and trustworthiness. From the background to positioning and lighting, you will also have more control over how the products are displayed.
Get a tripod
The use of a tripod can ensure consistent angles and a steady camera. As a business owner, you want consistency across your product line, and rather than trying to replicate the same position and angle that you used in previous shots, a tripod setup eliminates the fiddly aspects of taking shots again and again. The type of tripod you choose should be based on whether you'll be using a standard camera or your smartphone. Be sure the tripod you buy is compatible with the device you're using.
Choose your lighting
You might choose to shoot with natural or artificial light, depending on your products. If your product is used outside, you might want to use natural lighting to give your potential customers an idea of what the item will look like once it's purchased. It provides a smaller but more focused light area, which makes it perfect for items that have a lot of detail. Artificial light is ideal for indoor products.
Set the scene
You can choose the background that appears behind and around your product. Is a plain white backdrop your preference? Can you use other items as props to show customers what your product looks like in action? Then you can have the best of both worlds and try both approaches, like Ikea.
Here are some examples of Ikea's product photography
Additionally, they include a photo of the bag against a white background, as well as a shot of it in action. By using this style of photography, you can help your potential customers visualize how your product can be used and what it will look good with.
Show off every angle
Don't just rely on one photo of your product as a marketing tool. Make sure to display all the colours and styles that you offer. Shoot from the front, back, and side if you can. Consumers want to see only 0.52% of a product's image, while 33% want to see multiple photos of the product 60 The majority of people prefer images that show the product from all sides. You should always show off your products to the fullest extent possible.
You should edit your shots
You might consider investing in some photo editing software, depending on your budget. Free photo editing software is available online if Photoshop is too expensive. Here are ten of the best image-editing programs. You can learn the basics and even more advanced editing techniques on YouTube, even if you don't have any editing experience.
Here's what you should do with your images once you've got them prepared.
2. Make use of your images on your social media accounts
Upload images of your products to your social media pages if you have any. According to BuzzSumo, images are 2.3 times more likely to be noticed than text posts. The image will serve as an attention grabbing pull even if the post isn't directly related to the product featured in the image, thus resulting in better engagement with your updates.
3. Show how your products work
Show off your products in your customers' own photos. You could request that they send them to your email or post a review on your social media pages. In addition to showing potential customers that your product is being used by others, photos of real customers (social proof) can do wonders for your brand's credibility.
Instagram and website of Mofajang
You now know why product photography is important and what you need to know to start. Don't be afraid of experimenting with your photography since there's no one right way to take a picture!
The product photography you use in your eCommerce store is one small part of the experience your customers will have. Do you want to increase your online sales? Take a look at our free guide, Three ways to grow your business online.
