If you sell products online, then taking great photos of your product for social media and your website is a must.

Often business owners are challenged with how to shoot their products in different ways. This could be due to time constraints, lack of resources, or a lack of inspiration or knowledge.

So, what are the best ways to photograph your products?

Let’s take a look at eight different ways to photograph your products.

1. E-commerce shot

This is a simple shot of the product, which is usually shown without additional props. It’s shot against a white or coloured background.

This style of photography is great for showcasing your products on your website and presenting them in the simplest way possible. It’s a great opportunity to let your product shine and talk about its features and benefits.

2. Flatlay style

A flatlay photo is a carefully arranged shot from a birds-eye view. This style of image has been popular for quite some time and it lends itself well to food, fashion, and beauty products.

While it sounds easy to create, it can be quite a challenge to tell a story and make everything in the image harmonious with the hero product.

Portfolio - Biology Skin

3. Get in close

Sometimes, we just want to fit everything in. We take a wide shot, the product is in the middle and we can see the whole environment.

What we’re doing though, is missing out on the detail. We’re not showing our viewers how the product will feel. Or look. Or taste.

By showing the texture of a product, or the details, we are visually describing the product. This is especially important for brands that only sell online.

To capture texture, one needs to get in close. A macro lens is great for capturing details.

Close-up shot

4. Add a human element

Adding a human element to your shot does many things.

    • Sizing & scale: It can help customers gauge the size and scale of a product. This is particularly important for items like clothing, and accessories. 
    • Emotional connection: Human elements in product photos can help customers emotionally connect with the product. Seeing a person interact with or enjoy the product can trigger emotions and make potential buyers more likely to imagine themselves in a similar situation.
    • Contextualisation: Placing a product in the context of a human setting or situation can help customers understand how the product fits into their lives. It provides context and shows the practical application of the product.
    • Trust and credibility: Seeing a real person in product photos can build trust with potential customers. It suggests that the product is genuine, reliable, and has real-world utility. This is especially important in e-commerce where customers can’t physically interact with the product.

5. Lifestyle shot

A great way to mix up your shots is to show your product in use or in the context of where you would find the product. Videos are great for showing products in use but you can achieve this with still photos too.

If you have a beverage, you could take a shot of someone pouring the beverage, or drinking it.

For beauty and skincare products, you could show someone about to apply the product. You could also shoot the product in situ – for example, it could be shot in the bathroom, on a bedside table, or spilling out of a handbag.

The key here is to think about how your audience would use your product. The shot can be something your audience can relate to, or it can be aspirational.

Lifestyle photography

6. Behind-the-scenes

Everyone loves a behind-the-scenes shot. Show your community where the magic happens! It could be your workspace, your studio, your warehouse, or your kitchen.

You could show them what tools you use to make your products. Or, where your inspiration comes from.

7. Stop-motion

Have some fun with your shots! Why show your products stationary when you can add some movement?

Stop-motion is a technique where you move objects in small increments and photograph them frame-by-frame. When you play all the frames together, it appears as though the objects are in motion.

It is a visually effective way to show your products and stand out from your competitors. To see examples of my stop-motion work, click here.

8. Seasonal images

There are many public holidays and events you can take advantage of during the year. Which ones you promote will depend on your product.

You may have products that lend themselves towards Valentine’s Day. Or perhaps, you have products that would be great to promote during Halloween, Mother’s Day, or International Women’s Day. The choices are endless!

Just make sure it’s relevant to your target audience.

So, there you have eight different ways of showcasing your products. All these shots should provide you with a variety of content that you can use on your website and social media.

Want to have a chat?

If you struggle with capturing images for your brand, then let’s chat. I’m here to help!