A lot of common products can present unique challenges in front of the camera. Whether your products are tiny or large, matte or sparkly, there are plenty of steps you can take to make sure your items look their best—and catch the eye of potential customers.
How to photograph small objects
From tie clips and cufflinks to pins and patches, tiny treasures can sometimes be difficult to capture. Use these tips to keep your small items looking sharp.
Zoom in on details
Including a close-up shot or two will help show off the quality and texture of your small items and highlight subtle features that may otherwise go unnoticed. If you have a DSLR camera, using a macro lens is extremely helpful, because it's designed specifically for focusing up-close. If you have a point-and-shoot camera, macro mode (frequently represented on the camera with an image of a flower) increases your camera’s ability to focus at a short distance, picking up specific product details. You can also buy macro lenses for smartphones.
Perfect the focus
No matter what camera you use, mounting your camera on a stable surface, such as a tripod or table, will help you get the sharpest images possible. (When holding the camera with your hands, you may slightly move the camera and your photos will come out blurry.) If you sell small items that are prone to roll, such as beads, try using prop wax to position them securely for the photo.
For an image that focuses on the entire product, rather than just a portion of it, opt for a smaller aperture. Using the manual mode on your digital camera, select the smallest aperture setting available — this will be designated as the largest “f-number” on your camera, such as f/22. Shooting from an angle at the maximum depth of field will help give your photographs perspective.
Illustrate size
With small items, it can be difficult to convey a sense of scale in photos. Shoppers want to know what that hair clip is going to look like on a person’s head or how low those earrings dangle. It can be helpful to put your item next to something else to show scale. If you’re selling accessories, put them on a model, if possible. If you’re selling a non-wearable object, stage it next to household objects or relevant materials. For example, if you sell buttons, place them next to other sewing notions, such as spools of thread or needles. You can also use your own hand as comparison by holding your product in a photo.
How to photograph jewelry
Conveying the shine and detail of jewelry through photography can be tricky. But there are some steps you can take to make your designs sparkle.
Choose a background that fits your brand
With a plain white background, there’s nothing to distract the viewer from your product. It also intensifies the light, which is helpful when taking photos of a darker piece. Use a plain white sheet of paper (or unwrinkled fabric) or a lightbox.
A non-white background has advantages too. It can introduce an atmosphere to the jewelry, creating its own little world. For example, if you frequently work with pearls, you might photograph your pieces on some beachy rocks or by a sprinkling of sand. Be sure that your choice isn’t too busy, because small jewelry can easily get lost in an elaborate background.
Consider the look and feel of your shop as a whole. Does the background work with the overall brand image? Will your target customers relate to it?
Experiment with your settings
Your camera settings give you greater control over your photo’s outcome. If you want the darker spots of your jewelry to be more detailed, add a bit more light, either with a lower f-stop or with a lower shutter speed. Do the opposite to avoid overexposed shots. If you’re using a point-and-shoot, you may be able to play around with these settings depending on how advanced the camera is. For example, you can shoot in manual or aperture priority mode, or select a higher ISO to let in more light. When taking photos of white, glittering, or very bright jewelry, add one or one-and-half to the measured values of the photometer, which means higher numbers of f-number and shutter speed.
Equip yourself for success
The right equipment can help achieve the correct exposure on your jewelry. An external flash for a DSLR camera will allow you to control where the light shines on your sparkly gemstones or metallic bands. Sparkler lights are designed specifically for jewelry photography, equipped with a low wattage bulb that reduces glare. When aimed at shinier crystals, they highlight a jewel’s reflection and sparkle. Take several shots from different angles, and vary the distance between the bulb and your jewelry.
Balance the lighting
Too much light on shiny products will obscure detail. Too little light and the luster will fade. Achieve a good balance of light naturally by using a dark reflector. This can simply be a piece of black or dark cardstock held near one or both sides of the object. You will see the dark reflection on one edge of the product, creating depth. This contrasts nicely with high-shine items. For semi-translucent items such as gemstones or glass, try lighting from behind. Get up close and keep the flash turned off. This technique is useful for showing depth and detail.
How to photograph flat artwork
How can you make flat art catch the eye? The goal is to make the artwork pop on a screen, showing customers that your work is a physical item, not a digital file.
Invest in frames
Frames give your work visual weight and make the art look more like an object. Find a frame that works well with many of your pieces and rotate different images in and out of it during shoots. If possible, remove the glass from the frame, to reduce glare (and prevent yourself from showing up in the reflection). If the glass can’t be removed, try shooting from an angle, either slightly below the object or standing off to the side. Or consider setting up your camera on a tripod, zooming in, and using the timer so you can walk out of the shot. This way, neither the camera nor your body will be reflected.
Show the scale
Holding your work in your hands (or having a model hold it) gives browsing shoppers an immediate sense of the size of the piece in relation to your hand and makes the product appear more tangible. Shoppers like to pick things up and touch them before buying. Your hand becomes the viewer’s hand and allows them to view the work as an actual object by proxy.
Choose the right setting
Where would you ultimately visualize your artwork hanging? Would it lean against a desk or hang on the wall of a kitchen? Try photographing your work in a home or office to help buyers see how they could incorporate the product into their own lives. The background should never compete with your art, so walls painted in muted tones work well. Wood also makes a flattering backdrop that adds warmth to the photo.
How to photograph furniture and large objects
If you sell bulky products, your photo set-up will inevitably be a bit bigger too, but it doesn’t need to be overwhelming or complex. With the right context, lighting, and backdrops, a photo will grab a shopper’s attention and communicate important information about your item.
Set the scene
Whether it’s in front of a blank wall or a spot where you can hang a smooth white sheet or roll of paper, use a plain backdrop. You can find large seamless rolls of paper online or at your local art supply store. Styling your product can help customers picture it as a part of their own lives in their homes—just ensure that it’s clear what’s for sale.
You’ll also want lots of room to work with, preferably an area three times as big as your product. Find a space where you can move your items with relative ease and recruit a friend to lend a helping hand. Be prepared to move furniture and household objects out of the way to obtain a clean shot. You can buy dollies from a hardware store if you need extra assistance shifting bigger items around.
Capture the whole product
If you have a DSLR camera, shoot with a smaller aperture (at least f/8 or f/10) to ensure the entire product is in focus. When looking for a lens, find one with a focal length of 50mm or greater to decrease distortion. Take photos from several angles to set a realistic expectation of what the customer will be receiving. Move as far away from the object as you can to get the whole item in the frame. You may even get a better shot from the room next door, so try shooting through the door.
Take a scale shot
Try taking a photo of your product next to a person or common object to show its size by comparison. Your scale photo can be as simple as placing some house plants on one side of your vintage couch, or setting an umbrella and rain boots underneath the bench you made. Creating a scene also helps shoppers visualize how the item could fit into their homes.
How to photograph vintage items
Selling vintage items often creates photography challenges, because every item is unique. No matter what you sell, there are some steps you can take to streamline your photography process.
Work in batches
Dedicate one spot in your workspace for photographs. Keep your tripod set up, props out, dress form ready, or backdrop hung. Even if you're not able to create a dedicated photography space, you can save time by shooting a large group of items every time you set up your equipment.
There are several features of vintage pieces that are worth documenting for your buyers: labels, marks, tags, stamps, zippers, hemlines, and patterns. Different aspects of a piece may require different set-ups. Capture special details by shooting straight-on using a tripod, from above, or at dynamic angles. Shoot in batches and photograph all items using the same photo set-up before changing to a new format. For example, if you're photographing an antique china dish on a display stand, see if you have other dishware you can exhibit in this way before rearranging your setup.
Capture the condition
Vintage items sometimes have flaws, so it's important to show each piece’s true condition. If you’re selling a dress that has some discoloration, for example, spotlight this in at least one photo. (You should also note the flaw in the product’s written description.) Being honest and detailed sets customer expectations and helps prevent unpleasant surprises that can lead to returns.
How to photograph clothing without a model
If you can't find a model to display your clothing, here are some other ways to capture photos of your clothing.
Show volume
A dress form or mannequin works well for showing the shape and volume of the piece, and you can accessorize to help the shoppers envision how they might style it on their own. You can buy them at flea markets, fabric and craft stores, and on Etsy. Try to find a pinnable form with an adjustable height pole, and an option with legs so you can show off bottom pieces.
Whether you’re displaying your clothing on a form or a coat hanger, you can crumple up some tissue paper or plastic bags to add depth or use a crinoline for skirts. It’s helpful to select hangers that curve forward slightly on each end, because they add dimension to garments hanging against a wall.
Make necessary adjustments
When using a mannequin or dress form, pin items to fit the form and use transparent tape to fill in any loose areas or hide visible tags. Always note these adjustments in the descriptions to keep customers informed before making a purchase. Don’t forget to mention any quirks in sizing as well, like if your vintage item has a “small” tag but fits like an extra-small.
Keep the focus
Shoot with bright, even lighting and consistent, uncluttered backgrounds to keep the focus on the piece you are selling. White or neutral backgrounds are helpful for bouncing light when necessary and don’t compete with your product. A colored background can reflect different tones of light onto your product and alter its appearance in a photo. Be sure to wash, lint-roll, and steam or iron each piece before the shoot.
Continue reading > Chapter 11: (Case Study) How to Photograph Jewelry
Go back > The Ultimate Guide to Product Photography
Words by Etsy Staff
