It's a fact that people shop by looking at product images instead of reading titles so if you're an online seller your product photos will be the #1 factor in determining how much your item sells for. Merchandise with horrid photos typically sells for substantially less than items with awesome pics, even if the listing with the horrid photos offers a lower price. This means with great pics you can sell the same item for even more money!
Surprisingly, taking good product images isn't difficult at all, and today we are going to go over a bunch of great summery photo ideas.
Let's start with the basic of basic images:
This is a standard image. You will want to use a standard image if it makes sense to you OR if the site you sell on requires it (or encourages it).
PROS:
- it is so basic that using a bunch of images with white backgrounds make your listings look un-cluttered. This is because 99% of websites have white backgrounds, so it (in theory) looks like the product is "floating" IF done correctly.
- You can see what is for sale without distraction
- Many would argue that this is the “professional” way
CONS:
- Personally, I dislike standardized images. I find they lack flavor. I feel no emotion toward a boring image
- *yawn*
- I'm definitely not impulsed to buy it.
- VERY easy for others to steal your product images AND...
- VERY hard for people to easily recognize which images are yours when your images are mixed with fellow sellers images
- Super impersonal
- Looks like zero effort was put into it
- Easy to miss
- ****If there is a full page of this identical image, I am going to buy the cheapest price... providing the seller has good feedback AND it ships fast.
You can look at the image and form your own opinion. Maybe you love it. But if you want more pizzazz, more “wow factor”, more “omg-that's-so-cute-I-need-it-right-this-second-or-I-will-die!”, then here's some ideas for you:
Tropical / Beachy
This image gives me emotion. I find it to be relaxing. In my opinion the bold colors draw my attention yet despite the brightness, the focal point is still the product.
HOW TO DO IT:
- Poster (Apply your poster with spray glue or tape to a foam backboard. Get your poster from Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Posters.com or Amazon)
- Basket (Garage sale! Thrift store, Amazon, even the dollar store. Sometimes you can find a body care gift set that comes in a killer basket. This particular beauty was from a consignment shop...cost a whopping $5)
- Plant (Amazon Warehouse Deals! Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Joanns...pretty much anywhere. This particular plant is from Amazon and is fake)
Mirror
One of my favoritest ever-ever secrets is using a mirror. I mean, LOOK at how gorgeous that reflection is! Just make sure the photo isn't confusing and keep an eye on the photos because a mirror IS reflective and the last thing you want to do is realize the mirror captured a reflection of your 3 year old eating spaghetti... this doesn't help sell anything.
HOW TO DO IT:
- I'm sure you have a mirror. Be sure to clean it before use. If you don't have a mirror you can get one nearly anywhere. However I am pretty darn sure you have a mirror somewhere.
- Put the mirror flush with your backdrop (do not leave a gap between the mirror and background)
Girly Background
Think crystal, gems, sequins, animal prints...everything cute!
HOW TO DO IT:
One trip to a craft store, especially Hobby Lobby, will give you everything you need and more. Make sure you get a coupon off HobbyLobby.com or RetailMeNot.com
SUMMER!!!
One of my all time favs!
HOW TO DO IT:
A trip to the dollar store or almost any craft store will give you a bouquet of beauty. These are piled in a boring brown box.
Nature
This speaks for its self. This background is actually a wall mural in our customer pickup area of our warehouse.
HOW TO DO IT:
You seriously don't “need” a wall mural. You can just buy a poster. However if you want to do a wall mural, here is this one:
Grass
Who doesn't love grass? Like, for real, everyone loves fresh, green grass:
HOW TO DO IT:
Fake grass mat. If you want cheap grass (2nd image), Home Depot / Lowes has them for about $19.99. If you want a more quality grass, Amazon (1st image). Here's the grass we got from Amazon:
Art
This is just a piece of wall art:
Super Simple Wrap-Effect Backgrounds
This couldn't be any easier. It's two clip board from Office Max:
Elegant Industrial Looking Backgrounds
Scratched table with trellises in the background:
Now that we have looked at some ideas, here's a few pointers you can't live without:
During the summer, TAKE YOUR PHOTOS OUTSIDE!!!
Not only do you have the most amazing light EVER, but you get SUN on your body and sun is exceptionally important for vitamin D. If you get lucky you may even get a tan. I know the photo above doesn't look good, I just want you to see how nice the natural light looks...look how blue the blues are and how white the white is!
If you're taking photos outside, make sure you figure out where the sun is coming from and turn your body so you don't get shadows in the photos. Equally, make sure your product doesn't have a shadow. I personally loved morning outdoor photos. Mid-day is the most difficult because the sun is directly overhead.
Next, NO long distance photos. Check this out:
It's sooooo far away! Now compare this same image to the close-up:
You can even go in closer:
To avoid the "far away" shot, place your camera level with your product.... like you are looking the product in the eye.
Remember, even if the background is super cool, the goal is to sell the product, not the background. Make the product take up the photo and the background will compliment it.
Also, avoid the "strange angle". Again, compare:
And lastly, Take your photos VERTICALLY (that means “up and down” or “tall”). This is because the product image box is designed for a vertical photo. Can you take a horizontal photo? Sure, you technically “can”, but it will not properly fit the image box. If you have your own site, putting horizontal and vertical images on it will GREATLY REDUCE load speed... plus it looks bad.
We hope you were able to find a couple suggestions that may work for you!
Now all you need is to score some totally fab merchandise to sell, so why not shop our site, http://WorldsSexiestWholesale.com
