High-quality product photography is an essential tool for driving sales to your eCommerce store. It compensates for customers' inability to touch and feel the items that you're selling.
In bricks-and-mortar shops, people would usually try the products on display racks before deciding whether or not to buy them.
When it comes to online shopping, they weigh the pros and cons of purchasing a product based on what they see, not feel.
Unfortunately, sometimes the actual look of a product is different from its picture on a website. When a customer experiences this, they end up disappointed and returning the item.
To avoid returns and increase your conversion rate, create visually-appealing product images that are almost tangible.
5 ways to create quality product photos
Proper lighting can be the big difference between a spectacular product image and one that is, well, second-rate.
Anyone can take pictures using a mobile phone or an instant camera, unmindful of the unsightly elements like shadows, but product photography should always produce shadowless photos.
Ample lighting captures not only the shape of an object but also its actual colour and texture.
Now, remember we mentioned the “touch-and-feel” aspect of shopping and how it matters to a shopper? Taking close-ups breaks the invisible barrier between your product and customers. A close-up allows them to scrutinise your product down to its tiniest detail.
Still on the subject of touching and feeling a product, shoot from as many angles as you can to give customers a three-dimensional view of what you're selling. That way, they can experience the item as if they've walked into your shop and touched it.
Also, you'll want to add a responsive video, which shows how the product works, alongside your multi-angled photos. Not only will it give your customers a clearer picture of your product, but it will also boost traffic on your website. Besides, who doesn't love videos?
Most important of all, you have to keep it real because a potential customer will want to see how your product can be used day-to-day. Instead of over-editing a picture in Photoshop until it looks extremely fake, apply it to a real-life situation.
If you're selling a ball gown, for example, how would you present photos of it to a woman with a nine-to-five job? She's unlikely to buy it if she only sees a tight shot of the dress, but if you show her when and where to wear it, then you have her attention.
More than increasing traffic on your eCommerce website, these tried-and-tested photography techniques will surely lead to a higher conversion rate.
How do you come up with beautiful product images for your site?
