6 DIY Ecommerce Product Photography Tips

The main function of product pages is to give users the information they need to make purchasing decisions. There is lots of information you can add to product pages to make them more useful to potential customers. And if you have an online store, you know that the images on your product pages matter to customers – a lot.

According to a recent survey by Salsify Today, shoppers expect at least six images and two videos for each product they view online. But quantity is not the only important factor. Consumers also cited poor quality images as one of the top reasons for leaving a product page.

Since the amount of product images and their quality directly impacts conversions, your product photography should be a crucial component of your ecommerce strategy. Luckily, getting quality product images on your site doesn’t mean you have to blow your budget on a professional photographer. In fact, you can capture amazing product shots using your iPhone or Android phone. Here are our six favorite DIY ecommerce product photography tips:

1. Maintain Brand Consistency

Create a brand image and stick to it. No product photo should appear like it belongs somewhere else. A consistent look helps your customers cultivate trust in your business, which leads to increased loyalty and higher conversions. To stay consistent:

• Standardize your image sizes, style and product positioning
• Use the same filters and retouching techniques for a consistent style
• Keep shadows uniform
• Establish a process for creating new images that’s easy to repeat

2. Use a White Background

Ever wonder why so many ecommerce sites shoot their products against plain, white backgrounds? For one, it makes products stand out by minimizing distractions. It also helps create a consistent feel that’s easy to reproduce.

If you’re shooting a white product on a white background, Pixelz recommends making sure your background is properly lit to create separation and include floor shadows so your products don’t look like they’re floating.

3. Opt for Natural Lighting

Great lighting makes products pop—and you don’t need professional equipment to achieve it. While shooting outdoors has too many hard-to-control variables, setting up indoors near a large window works just as well. For best results, make sure the natural light comes into the room at a 90-degree angle to your product. If the light is too direct and harsh, try diffusing it with a sheer curtain.

4. Understand Scale and Composition

Pay attention to scale, which can be tricky. Don’t shoot your products in a way that makes them look too small or too big. As a general rule of thumb, your product should occupy at least 85 percent of the image’s frame. When shooting, we recommend positioning your camera on a tripod, level with and directly facing your product.

5. Shoot from Different Angles

Shoppers want to see at least six images of a product when shopping online. Make sure you deliver. Take multiple shots from a variety of angles so your customers can get a feel for what your products looks like. The more options and choices you have, the better.

6. Pay Attention to Image Resolution

Perfect lighting, angles and composition won’t matter if your images are low-resolution. Your customers should be able to click your images to properly examine each product. Use an image compression tool to reduce the file size of your images as much as possible to limit page load time – without sacrificing image quality.

Because online customers can’t physically touch your products, photos are indispensable to your ecommerce success. Make sure they are high-resolution and showcase your products from a variety of angles to maximize conversions. And remember to be consistent with your shooting style to help your DIY images look more professional.