We all know the saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” But in for e-commerce brands, it’s probably more fitting to say “A picture is worth a thousand sales.” Product photos have a massive influence on shoppers and can mean the difference between a scroll past and a sale.
Did you know that three-quarters of shoppers rely on product photos when making a buying decision? Or that the number and variation of shots have a massive impact on sales figures?
If you’re running an e-commerce store, one of the best ways to take your brand to the next level is with professional product photography. We’ve put together five ways you can level up your brand by hiring a professional product photographer.
Let’s dive in.
Featured image by London-based beauty, fashion and product photographer Steve Kraitt.
Nothing shows off your products quite like a studio product shoot. In a studio environment, product photographers can fine-tune every detail. Everything, from lighting and angles to backgrounds and props can be tweaked and played with.
The result? Clean, polished images that make your products shine whether they’re more creative shots like the Katie Howey photo above or more traditional white-background shots.
White-background shots like the one above by Ewa at Shutters Commercial Photographer are a staple for e-commerce sites. They keep the focus entirely on the product, highlighting its features without any distractions.
With studio lighting and equipment, even the smallest details of your product can be brought to life, helping customers get a clear view of what you’re offering.
While studio shots are perfect for clarity and detail, lifestyle shots add a human element to your products. These shots help your customers connect with your brand. They put your products in everyday settings like a kitchen or living room or in more idyllic settings like the shot above by Egle Tolusyte. Showing your products being used helps potential buyers imagine how they might fit into their lives.
Lifestyle photography is also great way to tell a story about your product. Whether it’s a cosy scene of a family enjoying a meal with your dinnerware products or a surfer carrying their board like the Steve Kraitt shot above, lifestyle shots create a connection that goes beyond the product itself and keeps customers coming back for more.
Making your e-commerce brand stand out online takes a lot of work but creative product photos are a great way to do it. Creative product photography lets you break away from the norm and catch your customers’ attention.
Whether it’s trying out unusual angles, using props (like the shot above by Simon Vinall), or playing around with different colours, creative shots can make your products way more memorable.
Creative product images like the one above by Francesca Poncetta are not just about showing off your product but also about showing off your brand’s personality. A bit of creativity can go a long way in making your product photos go beyond just pictures and show what your brand stands for.
Close-up shots give you the chance to highlight the smaller details of your products. From the texture of a beauty product like the shot above by Agata Pec to the craftsmanship of a handmade watch like the shot below by Stefan Oprea. These images work incredibly well for high-quality or luxury items, where attention to detail can help customers to justify the price.
Detailed shots give customers the confidence that they know exactly what they’re buying, which can reduce returns (22% of online product returns are because a product looks different in-person to the product photos) and make sure your customers are happy. They’re also perfect for showing off the unique features that set your product apart from the competition.
You’ll use your product images on a massive range of platforms—from your website and social media to email newsletters and ads. Each platform has its own set of requirements and best practices for images.
By working with a professional photographer, you can make you’ve got a variety of shots from group shots like the one above by Robin at Studio Dog to classic white-background shots and close-ups to use across platforms.
But working with a professional photographer also means you’ll get images optimised for each platform. This could be high-resolution images for your website, square images for Instagram (like the one above by Agata Pec), or banner images for your e-commerce store. Having a wide range of photos means that no matter where your product is featured, it will always look its best.
Working with a professional product photographer is undoubtedly the best way to level up your e-commerce store. You can work with your photographer to get a wide range of shots to use across your platforms from bold shots like the one above by Luke Geo to more traditional white-background product images.
But it’s important to work with a product photographer whose style matches up with your brand. That’s where Photographer for Hire comes in. You can take a look through the portfolios of fantastic photographers around the UK and find one that you’d like to work with.
After that, get in touch with them through their portfolio page and start planning your next product shoot. Good luck!
