Monday Marketing - Product Photo

In a prior post I began a living list of adjectives: suggested words to use when writing descriptions of our handcrafted products. But our product photos are equally ~ if not more ~ important than the words we use. I would think we have all heard these famous quotes:

A picture is worth a thousand words

You never get a second chance to make a first impression

Before anyone even gets to the point of reading the adjectives we’ve selected, it is the product’s presentation ~ the product photo ~ that grabs their attention! No matter how well we describe the item, the picture itself is worth a thousand words. It’s that first impression that will make them want to read every last detail of our description. Therefore, it’s a must to take amazing product photos!

By no means am I a professional photographer. I know it's a learning process. I constantly read a multitude of articles in search of how-to’s that will help me learn what to do, and what not do, when taking product photos.

With the photo software I use (Paint Shop Pro), I can quickly & easily crop and/or brighten the photo.

Before anything is done:

This is after I cropped and made it a little brighter:

Any other adjustments needed, I ask my sweetie to do it because I haven't a clue how or have the software he does on his computer!

I do know one “what NOT to do” and that’s snapping a picture of ANYTHING straight into the sun or any bright light. I must have the sun or light against my back (or from either side) before I take a picture! I’ve been amazed when I see someone has taken a picture of their product placed squarely in front of a brightly lit window! What a shame! I can’t see their finished product worth a flip!

I guess it's old age creeping in, but I can't free-hand a photo shoot anymore! So frustrating! Fortunately I do have a tripod for my camera and I use it! I want clear crisp pictures, not blurry in the least! My camera also has a timer I can set so I can be totally hands-free whenever it goes off! Big Big difference!

One TO DO tip I recently learned: When naming your product photos, use keywords and include your shop name! Rather than keeping the automatic numbering system the upload process creates, change it! Take the time! Then for a feel good moment do an image search on Google with your shop name! Awesome!

Why re-event the wheel? Timothy Adam Designs has already compiled a Big List of Product Photography Tips! I highly recommend his list! That’s where I’m heading!