Product photos can be one of the most critical aspects of your business. In fact, humans take in 80% of what we see and only 20% of what we read.

This is how we know good product photography can make or break a sale. The more eye-catching your images, the longer people will linger on your site, increasing your chances of a sale.

But how do you make your photos stand out from the rest? Well, we have answers so keep reading to learn more about taking your product photography to the next level.

Quality Photography Equipment

While you don’t need fancy equipment to get great product photos, you want to produce high-quality images. For this reason, you will want to look into getting a DSLR camera if you don’t have one already.

Your lens will depend on the product you’re shooting. But a good rule-of-thumb is to go for a mid-range telephoto lens that can stop down to around F/2.8. An external flash for off-camera lighting and a flash trigger can also help to bring your shots to life.

Finally, you will need a set to shoot your product on. This could be something as large as a studio if you’re photographing clothing or as small as a lightbox if you’re shooting smaller items.

Props, Props, and more Props

Now that you have your photography equipment set up and ready to go, another one of our product photography tips is to build up a collection of props.

We’re not talking huge props but smaller accent items that can bring life to your photo. For example, if your product is a citrus-scented candle, your props for this shoot could include fruits like oranges or grapefruits.

Pair different textures together and use this time to get creative. Of course, setting your product in a scene helps customers envision your product in their lives.

Make a ‘Shot List’

This is something many, many people skip, but it’s an essential part of getting excellent product photography. When you hire a professional photographer, you may find they’ll review a shot list with you before any photos are taken.

A shot list is an excellent place for your thoughts regarding the shoot and what you want out of it. It is also ideal for listing important shots you don’t want to miss or forget.

Up Your Editing Game

Finally, one of the most critical aspects of digital photography is editing. Just like you’d need a darkroom if you were shooting film, you need photo editing software for digital imagery. A popular choice is Photoshop, but several other more cost-effective options are also available.

Take time to learn tutorials like the ghost mannequin tutorial found here, which you can use to create creative, professional-looking product images for your website.

How Will You Tackle Your Next Product Photography Shoot?

Hopefully, this article has given you some groundwork on where to begin if you want to start shooting excellent product photography. Getting the right equipment and software for the job is essential to photograph your product successfully.

The better you display your product, the more likely someone will see it, tell a friend, or make a purchase.

If you’ve enjoyed this article, we encourage you to find more like it in our Business and Lifestyle categories.