Etsy's Handmade Blog
Forty's Foto Tips, #1: Show off your work in progress!
Story by Chillionaire
Published on August 29, 2007 in How-To 		Photo by chillionaire
Ahoy! Thanks for stopping by my advice column in The Storque. I'm no professional photographer, but I figured that would just make it easier for me to pass on some fun and simple tips that can help anyone! If you have any suggestions, please feel free to email me at Lori@etsy.com (aka chillionaire). Come back soon for more installments!

#1: A fun thing to add to your listing is images of your handmade items as you create them or perhaps even a shot of your work area. It gives buyers a bit of insight into your work and personality and helps connect you, the creator, to your items. This is a cross stitch that I'm working on, along with the pattern I'm working from. Since you have space for 5 images, why leave any out?
Tags Forty's Foto Tips, How-To, HOW-TO, photographing, photography, Seller Handbook, selling
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23 comments     Login to add your own!

Sept. 5, 2007 at 12:45 p.m. fernfiddlehead

Good suggestion. I've done that on my blog http://fernfiddlehead.blogspot.com but not here in my etsy photos.

Sept. 5, 2007 at 12:54 p.m. msbelle

I remember a thread in the forums a long time ago about inserting a pic of yourself making the item. That way, people will *know* it is actually handmade. Not a bad idea.

Sept. 5, 2007 at 1:20 p.m. Vanessa

that's a good point msbelle!

Sept. 5, 2007 at 10:41 p.m. beaniedesigns

Interesting. I might try that.

Sept. 6, 2007 at 6:08 a.m. clothcat

Great idea - I'll have to make sure I keep my camera handy when I'm creating.

Sept. 6, 2007 at 5:47 p.m. Chillionaire

I'm glad you all enjoyed this! Check back regularly for more photo info

xo

Sept. 7, 2007 at 10:33 a.m. skygirlstyle

Thanks for the info, that's what is so great about etsy..everybody is willing to share and help foster a sense of community.

Sept. 18, 2007 at 11:39 a.m. beadbooty

skygirlstyle is right. I love the Etsy community and it's members' willingness to share knowledge and experience and even moral support.

Thanks for the tip Chillionaire. I'm going to give it a try!

Oct. 1, 2007 at 10:58 p.m. meraldesigns

thanks chillionaire for the pic taking tips. i like the white box, my question is what kind and how many watts is the bulb you are using? I tried something similar but my pictures had a yellow hue on them.

Oct. 5, 2008 at 3:45 a.m. MonasMane

Yeah, great insight. I can see that showing pictures like these can really start to connect the sellers and buyers on another level

Dec. 22, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. EmbellishVintageSP

This is an EXCELLENT idea!
Thanks

Jan. 2, 2009 at 12:54 a.m. memorycatchers

Love that tip. Never would have thought to do that. Thanks

Jan. 18, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. jnjdesigns

Thanks for the great tip!
I am new to Etsy and I am looking forward to setting up a great shop. I am so glad I found Etsy and all the wonderful people that make it so fun! :)

Feb. 18, 2009 at 3:47 p.m. virginiawyoming

Thank you. I have some photos of my studio ready to go.

March 4, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. scottshandmadecrafts

I'm a newbie and have been going through all the articles on tips and ideas. Very helpful. Thanks.

March 13, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. kelseyll

Great information, I just used a cork board to take pics of my stuff but it is not nearly as pleasing to the eye as every other picture I have come across on etsy. These hints are going to help me alot. Thanks!

Aug. 28, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. cuddlewithaloha

Something I have never thought of..Thanks

Sept. 10, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. mrYen

i always do this on my blog! i have a weekly feature {WIP Wednesdays} - http://mr--yen.blogspot.com/

Sept. 15, 2009 at 9:55 p.m. TheAntiquePalette

Now this is a great idea to show WIP! But showing my work area...eeek! It always looks a bit... um, well, messy.

A weekly blog feature is a great idea, too.
Thanks!

Oct. 3, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. ArtfoolDesigns

Great idea, thanks.

Oct. 8, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. HinasApprentice

I usually do this on my blog but hadn't thought of doing it here. I'm definitely going to try this tip.

Oct. 23, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. LondonParticulars

Great idea, letting people in on the process!

Nov. 5, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. VintageStarrBeads

I never can just get the photos down to 5 so I would have to start throwing dice and pulling straws to have a place for an additional photo!
It's a great suggestion, even on my handmade site (STARRBEADS) I would have trouble giving up a photo to show a partially finished work-in-progress. Oh well, maybe in my next incarnation!-Rachelle Starr

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