This is the million dollar question but it really is down to your personal brand. For the last two days I have re-photographed all the stock I have. It’s taken a long time to find the right solution (only five years!) and styling for the photography. And whatdayaknow, it was my first original idea that I have gone back to.
For some people it will be using fashion models with white backgrounds, for others it will be cut out product photography and others will have full styling in a surrounding that works perfectly with your brands ideals.
Here are a few tips on your photography from what I’ve learnt so far.
1. Hi Resolution cut-outs on a white background are great for PR and makes it easy for magazines, press and websites to share your work in editorials.
2. always, always, always make sure the product is shown clearly. Styled shoots are great for promotion but when selling online you must be able to see what you are buying as clearly as possible.
3. Really think what fits with your work. Imagine how your ideal customer will use your product. If you are an artist photograph your work hanging in a space that you will aspire too. If you are using cut-outs add just a little detail in one shot that fits with your style, it may be a texture or a prop.
4. make sure your photographs are shot at the highest resolution possible. Then have a file for hi-res and low-res images. The low res images are great for sharing online. The hi-res are for when press need images and printing.
5. learn to take good quality photographs yourself if possible and how to edit them on Photoshop. This will not only save you money but give you the freedom to shoot your products as and when you produce them instead of waiting for cash and availability of a photographer.
(when you can afford a professional, use them and pay them)
6. take tips from other companies and artists you aspire to. How do they present their products?
7. try to keep all your images to the same format size. The best presentation really pays attention to detail. Same proportion images, equal spacing and borders etc.
8. you don’t need to spend a fortune. I bought a very basic lighting kit on eBay. Someone showed me that I have to light the product and background so the shadows are removed. And natural light is the very best. I used my old digital SLR, that worked far better than I thought.
9. spend time sampling shots. Try outside, different backgrounds, props and layouts. I tried four different ways to photograph a belt this week and painted my studio wall six times in the past couple of years. Then I found another location in the house with better natural light.
10. take time to look at your products again. I was really, really pleased with some of my work once the lighting and photography was showing it off to its best. Your work should stand up to the intense close up shots. Some of my work didn’t hold up and has been relegated back to the studio for finishing or even dismantling.
Hope this post helps. Will let you know what difference my new photographs make to sales. They should increase confidence at least. Time to spend many hours editing them now.
indiedesignersurvival 