You’ve probably heard that a photo is worth more than words. That’s certainly the case when it comes to marketing your products. Your prospects want to see what you have to offer, especially when they’re perusing your website or when you’re trying to grab their attention with that direct mail piece.
Product photography can be challenging to get appealing shots, especially if you sell food. So it’s great if you can spare some budget for a professional photographer. But if you can’t, don’t let that stop you from getting product shots for your marketing efforts—even if photography isn’t your forte.
Maybe you don’t have studio lights or a high-quality camera, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take product photos worth bragging about. Follow these tips for a successful product photo shoot, no matter your level of expertise. You’re sure to win over customers with the sleek photos that showcase the potential of your products.
Ready, Aim, Shoot
Product photos used to depend on the quality of camera you could afford. Now, award-winning photos have been captured with the click of a button on a smartphone. And SLR cameras have become relatively more affordable and accessible to the average shutterbug. So make use of what you have, and don’t let a lack of a high-tech camera stop you. Borrow one if you must, or snap pictures with your phone. Clients will never know the difference if you set up a good shot.
Under the Bright Lights
The right lighting can make a world of difference. It’s one of the most important concepts to grasp before a photo shoot. If photos are too dark, your products aren’t going to sell. Make sure you’re taking the photos during the daytime. That way, you’ll have natural light flowing in, and you’d be surprised at the difference in how the photos look. And if you need a little extra light, set up some desk lamps around the product. It’s a great makeshift lighting system, and you can experiment to get the light how you want.
Keeping It Consistent
On a website or your marketing materials, branding is always important. Consider that in setting up your product photo shoot. You don’t have to pay big money for studio backdrops to get professional results. Instead, head to a local office supply store and pick up some Bristol board. The board is a heavy and high quality paper that is relatively inexpensive and comes in a variety of colors. Remember to pick a color that is consistent with your website and marketing materials. That way, the photos will match your brand and won’t confuse customers.
Getting the Brag-Worthy Shot
If you’ve ever observed a photographer, you’ve seen the lengths that they go through to get the right shot. Crawling on the ground, scaling walls and improvising are all in a days work. You probably haven’t seen a photographer look straight at the subject, take one shot and move on. That’s because it’s all about different angles. So think about which angles would help you best display a product, and don’t be afraid to experiment. You’ll need to take multiple shots before you get the right one.
