Humans are wired to crave symmetry. It signals beauty, balance, and trust—exactly the feelings you want to trigger when someone lands on your product page.

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When you think about symmetric photos, think ecommerce photography for apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, electronics, and anything presented in a clean, controlled environment. Symmetry matters even more in apparel photography, especially for things like ghost mannequin shots where structure, balance, and form all drive buyer confidence.

Why you need symmetric product photos

Studies show that 87% of online shoppers believe enhanced product content is helpful to them during their shopping journey. In today’s competitive landscape, delivering symmetric, polished images isn’t optional—it’s the bare minimum.

Here’s why:

• Aesthetic: Symmetry creates a polished, professional look that immediately elevates your brand.
• Easy browsing: Balanced images are easier to process visually, making it faster for customers to evaluate and compare products.
• Visual trust: Symmetry builds instant credibility and makes your brand feel more reliable.
• Emotional appeal: Symmetrical compositions feel satisfying, calm, and complete — all things that lower buying friction.
• Performance metrics: Symmetrical product photos often convert better, boosting both clicks and sales.

That’s where Path comes in. Our expert editors apply symmetry with care—enhancing your product’s natural design without making it look artificial or over-edited.

When and how to use symmetric ecommerce photos

Highly detailed products

If you sell jewelry, electronics, watches, or anything intricate, symmetry highlights the craftsmanship and premium quality you’re trying to showcase.

Highlight centerpiece items

Hero images, like your main PDP photo or homepage feature, need to feel instantly strong and balanced. Symmetry gives products that commanding presence.

Premium products and brands

Luxury brands know: symmetry is a visual shortcut to higher perceived value. It signals attention to detail, care, and sophistication.

Selling symmetrical products

When you sell mirrors, tech gadgets, skincare bottles, apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics — basically anything designed with balance in mind — your photos should mirror that symmetry. It reinforces design quality and makes browsing intuitive.

Bonus: Ghost mannequin shots especially benefit from perfect symmetry to create clean, realistic apparel displays.

Marketplace product photography

Symmetrical product photos aren’t just nice—they perform better in marketplace search results and listings, helping you stand out in crowded spaces. If you sell on marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, etc., you might even be required to use symmetric product photos. 

Marketing and advertising campaigns

Symmetry draws the eye and keeps viewers engaged. Whether you’re designing social media ads, web banners, or print catalogs, symmetric images create irresistible visual flow.

High-end retouching

Good symmetry editing polishes natural flaws—like a slightly crooked seam or uneven laces—without making your product look artificial. It’s subtle, invisible craftsmanship that makes a major difference.

Tips for symmetric product photography

Here’s the key to mastering symmetry without overdoing it:

Keep the product’s natural shape and design intact.

Center lines, balance proportions, and adjust visible angles carefully.

Use symmetry to enhance authenticity—not to create a fake-looking “clone.”

Don’t force symmetry where it doesn’t naturally exist.

Avoid warping, pinching, or unnaturally stretching parts of the product.

Stay away from edits that make products feel sterile or “too perfect”—buyers can tell.

Get it perfect, every time

Symmetry isn’t just about making your photos look good—it’s about building trust and driving sales. In ecommerce, symmetry is a small investment that delivers a big payoff.

Ready to sharpen your product photos with perfect symmetry? At Path, our expert editors specialize in balancing precision with authenticity. We’ll polish your product images so they feel clean, credible, and irresistible—all with quick turnaround times, industry-leading accuracy, and deep ecommerce expertise.

Perfect your photos with symmetry

Learn more

The post Symmetry Sells: Why Balanced Product Photos Convert Better appeared first on Path Edits.

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Below, look at the definition of product photography, as well as best practices and examples to inspire your own.

What is product photography?

Product photography is the art of capturing images of goods for sale. These images are used in ecommerce stores, ads, packaging, and catalogs to highlight product features and inspire confidence in buyers.

Also known as commercial product photography, it includes everything from simple white background shots to stylized lifestyle images. The goal is to help potential buyers understand, desire, and trust your product—visually.

While traditional product photography uses cameras, some brands also use 3D renderings that mimic real photos. These can be effective, though purists argue that only real-camera images count as true product photography.

Comprehensive Cranium Care, a brand of “hair” products for bald people, outsources its 3D renders.

Types of product photography

Product photography is a type of object photography and a type of advertising photography, but you can get even more granular:

White background

White background photos are the ones you see on ecommerce marketplaces like Amazon, AliExpress, and eBay. They may have individual product photos or white background shots that feature multiple images. This is arguably the most common product photo type you’ll see.

360-degree

360-degree photography captures a product from every angle, letting shoppers rotate and view it interactively—almost like holding it in their hands. These image sets are often stitched together with special software to create a seamless, scrollable experience on ecommerce sites.

This is what professional photographer Eric of CiReC 360° specializes in. He relies heavily on Path for outsourced photo edits because each “image” is actually a series of several images, and the edits must be perfect across all shots. 

Lifestyle shots

Lifestyle shots are photos that feature people using the product in a real-world setting. These tell a story and help shoppers imagine themselves with your product.

Contextual

Contextual photos are similar to lifestyle photography, but they may not feature people. These show the product in its natural environment (e.g., barstools in a kitchen, a yoga mat in a studio).

Scale shots

Scale shots are product photos that give a frame of reference so people can envision how big the products are. While product specs and dimensions are descriptive, sometimes shoppers need an image to see how big or small it is in comparison to common objects.

Detail

Detailed product shots are close-ups that highlight materials, textures, or small design elements. They’re crucial for luxury, beauty, apparel, or any product where touch and feel are important.

Group

Group product shots feature multiple items. Typically, these products are related in some way. You might bundle them together as a promotion, or feature the same item in different products. 

Flat lay

Flat lay photos are taken from a bird’s eye view. The bird’s-eye view photos show products arranged on a flat surface. These are perfect for social media and allow for creative storytelling through layout.

Packaging

Packaging product photos are the images that go on the box, bag, label, or whatever packaging holds your merchandise. These photos are important because they appeal to in-person shoppers. It’s especially important to consider this if the packaging hides the product, which you commonly see with food and beauty items. 

User-generated

User-generated content (UGC) includes product photos taken by anyone other than your brand or employees. These photos are typically shared on social media, so you can repost or feature the content on your own website as a form of social proof. UGC product photography isn’t ideal as your main photo, but it’s a great complement to your product pages.

Skincare brand Topicals has a carousel of UGC photos at the bottom of its website. It shows authenticity and social proof of its products.

How do you take product photos?

While the art of product photography requires much more than a single article (there are courses listed below!), the high level process is as follows:

1. Plan the shoot

Define your shot list, goals, locations, and props. Know what you’re capturing and why.

2. Set up your space

Use natural light when possible or invest in lighting kits and reflectors. Use a white backdrop for standard product shots.

3. Stabilize your camera

Use a tripod for sharp, consistent angles—especially for ecommerce listings.

4. Shoot multiple angles

Show your product from the front, back, side, top, and bottom. Include close-ups and contextual shots where applicable.

5. Edit your photos

Adjust lighting, color balance, and crop. Remove backgrounds or retouch imperfections. If you’re not a pro editor, outsource this step.

What equipment do you need for product photography?

For product photography, all you really need is a smartphone camera. But for high-quality shots that convert shoppers, you’ll want a dSLR or mirrorless camera and 50 mm lens as the bare minimum. 

Here’s a general overview: 

Beginner (DIY at home):

• Smartphone with high-res camera
• Natural lighting near a window
• White poster board or sweep background
• Free editing tools (Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile)

Intermediate:

• DSLR or mirrorless camera (50mm lens recommended)
• Tripod and remote shutter
• Lightbox or softbox lighting kit
• Reflectors and diffusers

Pro-level / studio setup:

• Macro or tilt-shift lenses
• Studio lighting with modifiers
• Professional backdrops or sweep tables
• Grip gear (c-stands, clamps)
• Pro editing software (Photoshop, Capture One)

Tips and best practices for better ecommerce photos

While your product photos should reflect your unique brand and appeal to your specific target audience, there are a few universal truths and best practices:

Get the gear

While smartphone photos may work for social posts or email, you want high-quality photos for main product pages. Invest in a high-quality camera and lens or hire a professional who has their own equipment to shoot your photos for you.

Choose your background wisely

Some ecommerce marketplaces require plain white backgrounds, and if you’re shooting for other channels you have more leeway. Whatever the background, it should reflect the aesthetic you’re after while keeping the focus on the product.

Think about the context

Consider the context for your products and for your shoppers. It’s important to show the product in use, using models and contextual backgrounds and props. But it’s also important to consider the context in which your shoppers are viewing the photos. If they’re on mobile (they likely are), offer zoomed-in shots and closeups of important product features.

Maximize your investment

Shoot with repurposing in mind. Professional product photos are a significant investment, and you want to make the most of it. Think about using your product photos on more than just ecommerce pages, but also in digital marketing and ad campaigns, on social media, in emails, and for labeling or packaging.

Leverage symmetry for a premium feel

Symmetry isn’t just pleasing to the eye—it can instantly elevate the perceived value of your product. For items with naturally balanced design elements (like cosmetics, shoes, tech, or jewelry), a symmetrical composition reinforces order, precision, and quality. Center the product, align key features, and shoot head-on for maximum effect. When used intentionally, symmetry creates a polished, editorial-style aesthetic that feels high-end and trustworthy.

Remember the details

It’s always important to edit your photos afterwards, no matter how great the original shot is. You may have to fix imperfections that have the potential to distract potential buyers and negatively impact conversions.

Outsource the tedious bits

Lots of photo edits, like background removal and color changes, are so detail-oriented and time-consuming. It can take an entire day just to edit a small batch of photos. If you find your time is bogged down with post-processing, consider outsourcing the edits. Be wary of any providers that use automation and AI, as they run the risk of imperfections the human eye won’t miss.

Enjoy it

At the end of the day, it’s important to have fun. Even though you have constraints on what you can do with the images, you can still get creative with it. Use outsourcing and other ways to take some of the stress out of your day to day so you can find your passion and get back to the work you love. 

Enlist your dedicated virtual photo-editing team of designers who complete every edit by hand

3 product photography examples

Looking for some inspiration from real-world brands with compelling product photos that can inspire your own visuals? Here are three examples:

1. Grounded Plants

The Grounded Plants brand has such a distinct look and feel, and the product photos are a continuation of that. The backgrounds are plain so not distracting but interesting enough to fit with its overall aesthetic. Plus, variety breaks up the monotony of a single hue.

2. Otherland

Candle brand Otherland has a creative touch to its product photo backgrounds. It stages shots of its candles with fun props and backgrounds to evoke different moods for each candle.

3. SOKO

SOKO sells jewelry that was handcrafted with sustainable materials in Nairobi, Kenya, so the magic is in the details. And the details aren’t lost when it comes to its product photos. The perfect mix of white background, detailed, and lifestyle shots, SOKO’s photos are as beautiful as the designs themselves.

Product photography courses

There are tons of product photography courses out there—ranging from beginners to advanced, and many specializing in specific niches.

Here are some product photography courses worth checking out:

• Product Photography for Ecommerce, Shopify Academy (free): Learn how to take product photos to sell online, including white background shots, home studio setup, and step-by-step process to outsourcing. 
• Product Photography at Home, Craftsy ($29.99): Professional photographer and small-business owner Jessica Marquez leads the course. You’ll learn how to create tabletop setups for product shoots, including lighting, backgrounds, working with models, and post-production.
• Shoot Products Like a Pro, Phil Stills (£197): 13 short modules take you through everything from lighting and studio setup to white backgrounds and cut-outs. You can try the first two modules for free.
• Mobile Product Photography Class, Weebly (free): This product photography course shows you how to capture shots with your smartphone. The course is from 2017, so while some of the tactics may be outdated, a lot of the principles still apply.
• Still Life Photography, UCLA Extension (?): Learn lighting and camera techniques, food and product photography, and basic Photoshop edits. This course is only available at certain times, so check back for enrollment information and updates.
• Rachel Kimberley, virtual: This professional photographer has various photography courses on her website, including courses for flat lays, makers, lifestyle, and product styling. 

13 product photography statistics

Below are some recent product photography statistics, studies, and surveys to keep your finger on the pulse:

1. The ecommerce photography market is worth $1 billion

Globally, the ecommerce product photography market is estimated to be worth $1 billion in 2024. It’s predicted to grow to $2 billion by 2033, with an annual growth rate of about 8%.

2. People process images in just 13 milliseconds

One MIT University study found that the human brain can process images after viewing them for just 13 milliseconds. That means they can process a product image just as quickly. Your product photos play a huge role in the first impression, so it’s important they’re high-quality.

3. People can recall 2,000+ images with 90% accuracy

One 2013 study showed people 2,560 photographs for a period of just 1 second. After viewing all the images, they tested the participants’ memory recognition. The participants were able to recall more than 2,000 images with at least 90% accuracy, even after a period of three days.

4. On a scale of 1 to 10 for difficulty, marketers rate producing visual content a 7

In one survey from Venngage, marketers were given the option to rank the difficulty of consistently producing visual brand content, with 1 being the least difficult and 10 being the most difficult. On average, marketers ranked this task a 7. 

5. Nearly half of marketers put 20–50% of their budget into visual content creation

In that same Venngage survey, marketers were asked about their marketing budgets. Nearly half (45.7%) said they put anywhere between 20% and 50% of their budget towards creating visual content. This is likely to increase—there was a 9.5% increase in marketers planning to put at least half of their budget towards visual content production by the end of 2024.

6. The photo printing market is worth more than $15 billion

Globally, the photo printing and merchandise market is worth more than $15 billion. It’s forecasted to grow at a CAGR of more than 5%. By 2027, it’s estimated to be worth more than $20 billion.

7. Photo prints and frames are the most popular types of photo products.

The following list shows the most-ordered printed photo products in 2023, from most to least:

• Prints
• Frames for wall decor
• Frames for table/desk
• Mugs
• Photo Cards
• Calendar
• Clock
• Albums
• Puzzle
• Notebooks
• Canvas, banners, and signs

8. 9 camera companies dominate the global market

The Global Digital Cameras Market Recent Trends, In-depth Analysis, Size and Forecast To 2027 notes nine top camera companies in the world:

• Canon
• Nikon
• Sony
• Pentax
• Olympus
• Fujifilm
• Casio
• Panasonic
• Samsung

9. 53% of businesses want to try AI image generators

AI product photography and editing is a trending topic. While the technology is far from perfect, more than half of businesses would like to experiment with using AI image generators, according to a survey from Semrush.

10. Ice Cream Castles shortened their photo-editing workflow from 7 days to 1 day

Children’s clothing brand Ice Cream Castles used to take an entire week to edit product photos before they were ready to use them. This took too much time they could’ve spent growing and improving the business—doing the things they love. They started outsourcing their edits and shortened photo edit turnaround time from 7 days to just 1 day. 

11. Formkraft took 5 days to shoot photos for their new website

Photography Prodoto shot product images for Formkraft’s new website that sells a range of merchandise and consumables. The shoot took five days and shot initial concepts for 18 Master Category images and four additional website banner images. It takes time to get high-quality shots!

12. Medalia paintings convert at 17% when they feature artist photos

A/B testing tool VWO’s customer Medalia sells Cuban and Haitian art online. They ran an experiment to see if featuring artist photos as well as product photos would boost conversions. It did. Products that featured artists converted 17.2% of the time compared to 8.8% without.

13. More than half of photographers start out as hobbyists

According to one survey, slightly more than 50% of photographers get their start with photography as a hobby. 

Now it’s time to edit your product photography

You don’t have to do it all yourself. Outsourcing your edits can help you launch faster, stay consistent, and focus on the big picture.

Path gives you a team of expert retouchers who complete every photo edit by hand—no AI, no cut corners. Just pixel-perfect images that convert.

Wish you could just hand this over to a pro? Surprise, you can.

LEARN MORE

Product photography FAQs

What is needed for product photography?

• Camera
• Lenses
• Lighting
• Tripod
• Background
• Reflectors and diffusers
• Editing software
• Props

What is the meaning of product photography?

Product photography is a subcategory of commercial photography that focuses on capturing high-quality images of products for marketing and promotional purposes. The images are used in advertisements, websites, catalogs, and other marketing materials to showcase the product in the best possible light.

What is the idea of product photography?

The idea of product photography is to give potential buyers a full impression of a product. In ecommerce, it essentially replaces the in-person product experience a shopper would have in-store.

What is the role of product photography?

The role of product photography is to help shoppers better understand the products they intend to purchase. It should showcase the product, build trust, enhance the brand image, boost sales, and ultimately reduce returns.

What is object photography?

Object photography is when you take a photo of an inanimate item. As such, product photography is technically a form of object photography—unless the product is living, like a succulent. In object photography, items are typically non-moving, or still.

The post What Is Product Photography? Types & Meaning (Updated 2025) appeared first on Path Edits.

But beyond the camera and lens, what other gear is essential? Below is a complete guide to help you gear up for your sports photography business and help you catch those game-changing moments.

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Picking the right camera

Shooting CrossFit events up close and personal or capturing athletes on a large football field will require very different gear setups. Your kit choice will depend on the type of sports you want to cover and your budget. But remember, you don’t always need to buy new—you can also look for good quality refurbished and second-hand equipment.

Let’s explore some options:

High-end professional gear examples: Nikon Z9, Canon EOS R3, Sony Alpha 1

• Pros: Exceptional speed, superior image quality, robust build
• Cons: High cost, steep learning curve
• Ideal for: Professional sports photographers covering major events

Widely-published sports photographer Will Palmer opts for the Nikon Z9, which retails for around $5,500. The camera boasts 45MP resolution and 20 frames per second burst rate, which makes it suitable for large prints and fast action.

He often pairs it with a 400mm f/2.8 lens, which can retail up to $14,000. It’s a significant investment, but for Will, it’s been worth it. “[It] provides a beautiful depth of field, making the subject stand out sharply against a blurred background,” he says. “This combination brings the action to life and helps make your work stand out.”

Other options include:

• Canon EOS R3 (Mirrorless)
• Sony Alpha 1 (Mirrorless)
• Sony Alpha 9 II (Mirrorless)
• Canon EOS-1D X Mark III (DSLR)
• Nikon D6 (DSLR)

Higher-end gear will deliver results. However, that’s not to say it’s a necessity, especially if you’re just starting. It’s crucial to consider whether you can deliver a return on your investment and own any equipment you can use with your chosen camera system.

Mid-range examples: Lumix G9 Mark II, Sony A7 III, Fujifilm X-H2S

• Pros: Good balance of performance and affordability, lightweight
• Cons: Smaller sensor size may affect low-light performance
• Ideal for: Serious enthusiasts or professionals on a tighter budget

In the mid-range, you’ll find plenty of powerful alternatives to full-frame cameras and some full-frame options with smaller resolutions:

Crop sensor cameras:

• Fujifilm X-T4 (APS-C)
• Fujifilm X-H2S (APS-C)
• Panasonic Lumix G9 Mark II (Micro Four Thirds)
• Sony A6600 (APS-C)
• Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II (Micro Four Thirds)

Full-frame cameras:

• Nikon Z5 (Entry-level full-frame)
• Canon EOS RP (Entry-level full-frame)
• Sony A7 III (Mid-range full-frame)
• Nikon Z6 II (Mid-range full-frame)
• Panasonic Lumix S5 (Mid-range full-frame)

These cameras offer a good balance of performance and affordability, which works well for enthusiasts and professionals on a budget. The crop sensor options often give you high-speed shooting and advanced autofocus systems, while the full-frame options offer better low-light performance and image quality. The downside? These cameras sometimes have lower resolutions or fewer advanced features than their higher-end counterparts.

Sports photographer and videographer Alex Wukowich from Aperture Sports Media favors Lumix G9 Mark II, a mirrorless micro four-thirds camera retailing around $1,800. Alex has captured numerous sports events, such as BMX racing, lacrosse and ice hockey, proving that you don’t always need a full-frame camera to be a professional sports photographer. The best part? His camera is light and portable—handy if you travel often or want to slim down your gear.

What else should you look for?

Besides budget, here are a few camera-specific factors to consider when making your purchase:

• Burst rate: For fast-action sports, look for cameras with high frames per second (fps)
• Autofocus system: Advanced tracking capabilities are crucial for following moving subjects
• Low–light performance: Important for indoor sports or evening games
• Weather sealing: Essential for outdoor sports in various conditions

Chris Onuoha capturing a powerlifting competition. Photo by Anete Lusina

How to build your lens collection

Picking suitable lenses is just as important as choosing your camera body. You can rent lenses to test them out first, giving you a better idea of which focal lengths suit your preferences.

Here are some lens considerations:

• Zoom lens: Offers flexibility for various shooting distances, ideal for capturing both wide shots and close-ups in dynamic or time-critical sports environments
• Prime lens: Provides superior sharpness and wider apertures, perfect for low-light conditions and creating a shallow depth of field to isolate athletes.
• Reach: Longer focal lengths (200mm+) are crucial for field sports, allowing you to capture detailed action shots from a distance.
• Wide–angle options: Useful for indoor sports, close-up action shots, and capturing the entire scene for immersive and dramatic perspectives.

Having the appropriate lens can make a significant difference in capturing those split-second, memorable shots. Alex shares a perfect example. “At the British BMX Championships, we had a long-jump competition in the evening after racing,” he says. “My f2.8 lens allowed me to get the shots I needed without cranking up the ISO too high. I captured an atmospheric shot I love of a rider jumping head-on towards me!”

For photographer and videographer Chris Onuoha from ACMedia, upgrading from a kit lens to a prime lens meant a dramatic increase in high-quality detail capture, such as the chalk being illuminated during a powerlifting competition. Similarly, choosing the right focal length matters, too.

Will recounts a crucial moment from the Commonwealth Games at the Lee Valley Velodrome, “I captured a dramatic photo of Matt Walls as he crashed over the barrier. The wider shots I took, compared to colleagues on longer lenses, helped convey the scale of the crash. They showed not only Matt Walls, but also other riders colliding with the boards. Including branding and context in these wider images also added depth to the story.”

Above all, Alex advises investing in quality lenses. “There’s a saying, ‘date the camera, marry the lens.’ You’ll change cameras often throughout your career, but your lenses will go with you from camera to camera. Invest more time and money into selecting a quality lens suited to what you shoot instead of focusing on what the latest fancy camera can do,” he says.

For Will, a fast lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 is a top pick for beginners. “When you’re starting out, you often find yourself shooting in less-than-ideal lighting conditions—whether at indoor venues or during late afternoon events. A lens with a wide aperture allows you to capture clearer, more detailed images in these challenging conditions,” he says.

But don’t overlook budget options, such as 50mm lenses. Chris points out that beginners may feel inclined to shop for pricier options from the start. However, having a 50mm lens—costing as little as $125 for Canon DSLRs—can give an affordable entry into the industry with crisp results.

Do you want to learn more about choosing the right gear setup and shooting settings for different sports scenarios? Check out this guide to improving sports photos.

Supporting equipment

While the right camera and lens are necessary, supporting equipment can make or break your sports photography experience. From protecting your gear to ensuring stability and comfort during long shoots, these accessories are vital in capturing those perfect moments.

Here’s a list of items for you to consider, some more essential than others:

• Camera bags
• Rain covers
• Tripods and monopods
• Neck straps and harnesses
• Filters
• White and gray cards or ExpoDisc filter
• Extra batteries and chargers
• White balance cards
• Portable seats/stools
• Memory card readers and pouches
• Plasters, painkillers, and energy bars or gels

Pro tip: create a dedicated space for each piece of equipment. “I like to compartmentalize all my gear, so everything has its own bag inside my camera bag (also really handy for taking flights!). Where possible, everything is labeled, particularly SD cards, which I always need to keep track of,” says Alex.

Having labels on your equipment also ensures it doesn’t get mixed up with other photographers’ gear during busy events, Chris adds.

For extra weather protection, Alex recommends getting some weatherproofing spray and occasionally spraying your bag to increase water resistance. Inside, you can put a few silica gel bags to keep the air dry.

What else? Will adds, “One piece of unconventional equipment I always carry, which others might not immediately think of, is a collection of cable adapters. This includes a spare card reader. Even if you don’t end up using them, these items can greatly help fellow photographers or colleagues in need on match day, too.”

Lighting equipment

Are you planning on photographing individual or team headshots? If so, investing in lighting equipment, such as speedlights and other types of off-camera flashes, is a good idea. It’s not always possible to rely on natural light, especially in sports venues. That’s why having even a simple lighting kit will give you consistent, well-lit portraits.

Consider including:

• Speedlights for on-camera and off-camera use
• Light modifiers like softboxes or umbrellas for softer light
• Remote triggers for off-camera flash setups
• Reflectors for fill light in outdoor situations

But, if you’re stuck without any lighting equipment, reach for a lens with a wider aperture, like Will did whilst shooting an indoor hockey game in a poorly lit venue. “The lighting was uneven and dim, leading to high ISO settings on my Nikon Z9 that resulted in noisy images I wasn’t happy with,” he explains.

“To overcome this, I switched from my 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to the 85mm Sigma f/1.4 ART lens. The wider aperture of the Sigma lens allowed me to gather more light, improving the image quality and reducing the need for excessively high ISO settings.”

Post-processing tools

For some sports photography assignments, you may not need to apply any post-processing, just culling the successful shots. However, it’s more than likely that you will need to build sports photo editing skills to deliver professional results.

Professional-grade editing apps like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One are popular for photo editing software. However, for efficient and high-quality editing, especially when dealing with bulk edits, many sports photographers outsource to editing services like Path. Outsourcing lets you offload the time-consuming task of editing, freeing so you can focus on shooting and client relationships.

But how does a professional workflow look in practice? Will emphasizes the importance of speed in post-processing, especially for high-profile events. “During Premier League and Champions League football matches, images are often sent live from pitchside to a remote editor,” he explains.

Will uses CameraBits’s Photo Mechanic for quick culling and organizing, followed by Adobe Photoshop for minor adjustments. This streamlined process allows him to deliver high-quality images promptly, meeting tight deadlines and client expectations.

Chris adds that post-processing not only helps enhance and color grade the images but can fix challenging venue environments with the help of tools like Denoise, found in apps like Lightroom.

Scoring the right equipment is just the beginning

Selecting the right sports photography equipment is crucial, but it’s only the first step. Great sports photos aren’t just about having the latest gear—they’re about capturing the emotion, energy, and decisive moments. Experiment with different equipment and techniques as you build your kit and level up your skills.

And if you want more time away from your computer screen, our expert team of editors at Path can handle your post-processing so you can focus on capturing the thrill of the game. 

Sports photography equipment FAQs

What equipment does a sports photographer use?

Sports photographers typically use DSLR or mirrorless cameras with fast autofocus, telephoto lenses (70-200mm or longer), wide-angle lenses, monopods, high-speed memory cards, and weather-sealed gear. Additional equipment may include speedlights and remote triggers.

What do sports photographers use?

They use professional-grade cameras like the Nikon Z9 or Canon EOS R3, or mid-range options like the Sony A7 III. Fast telephoto zoom lenses (70-200mm f/2.8) and prime lenses (300mm, 400mm) are common. Post-processing software or outsourced editing services like Path are also essential.

What brand is best for sports photography?

There’s no single “best” brand, but Canon, Nikon, and Sony are popular among professionals, while Fujifilm and Panasonic offer excellent mid-range options. The best choice depends on your budget, specific needs, and familiarity with different systems.

How do I get high-quality sports photos?

• Use a camera with fast autofocus and high frame rates
• Invest in quality lenses, particularly fast telephoto lenses
• Master your camera settings, especially shutter speed and continuous autofocus
• Understand the sport you’re photographing to anticipate key moments
• Practice techniques like panning
• Shoot in RAW format for better post-processing flexibility
• Develop post-processing skills or outsource to professional editing services like Path
• Experiment with different angles and compositions

The post Sports Photography Equipment: A List of the Gear You Need in 2024 appeared first on Path Edits.

Headshots are essential for a variety of business and personal uses. Let’s dig in to learning all about headshots and how you can use them for your own needs.

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What is headshot photography?

Headshot photography is a specialized type of photography that focuses on capturing a person’s face, typically from the shoulders up. The primary goal is to highlight the subject’s features, personality, and professionalism in a clean and straightforward manner.

A headshot is typically used for professional or identification purposes. It’s meant to present the subject in a clear and focused manner, often for business, acting, or modeling profiles. The general goal is to convey professionalism, confidence, and approachability.

What’s the difference between a headshot and a portrait?

While many use the terms interchangeably—go for it!—there are some slight differences between headshots and portraits. If you want to get technical, portraits are actually a type of headshot. However, generally speaking, headshots are more professional and portraits are more creative. Both have a place in the business world, as well as non-corporate uses.

What’s the purpose of a headshot?

Headshots are commonly used in various professional contexts, such as on business websites, social media profiles, acting and modeling portfolios, corporate branding, and even personal branding.

Unlike traditional portraits, which might include more creative elements or a broader view of the subject, headshots are usually more focused and minimalistic, emphasizing clarity and detail.

Individual

Some headshots are meant to highlight an individual. There are tons of reasons for this—maybe it’s a founder or C-level executive, a LinkedIn profile photo, or a business owner. These photos could be used for profile pages, about us pages, and more.

The Who We Are Project, for example, has an individual headshot of its founder on its “our team” page. You can see the photo was clipped and/or masked, isolating the subject and putting it on a different background.

The Women’s Eagles rugby team also has individual headshots on its website. In this example, there are many individual headshots to showcase each of the players on the team.

Group

Team headshots involve multiple people. In some cases, the whole group is on-site to take the photo together. In others, the photos are taken individually and later clipped and composited to be one group photo.

For example, one sports photographer we work with on clipping paths and retouching takes both team and individual photos of 16 different sports teams for each season. That’s a lot of headshots!

Corporate and business

Corporate headshot photography is a very common type—think real estate agents, investors, and C-suite executives. They’re often on a simple plain background or with some sort of effect that makes them look impressive.

These headshots typically go on companies’ about us pages, on LinkedIn profile pages, and similar avenues. Here’s how marketing agency Salted Stone uses business headshots to showcase its team:

Actors and models

Actors and models also need headshots. These headshots vary a bit from the other types of headshots because you often want to see more personality and creativity here. Think about it this way: If someone is a comedian and they’re trying to land “funny” acting roles, their headshots are likely to showcase a more casual, smiley, and even goofy personality. Whereas professional corporate headshots tend to be more streamlined and straightforward.

Likewise, models going after beauty brands or fashion gigs will go for a headshot that casts them in that light, like in this example below:

Beauty and glamor shots

There’s a lot of overlap between beauty and glamor shots and actor or modeling headshots, but there are some slight differences. For example, beauty and glamor shots aren’t always necessarily to land an acting or modeling gig.

Beauty and glamor shots could be used by people for personal reasons—first day of school, graduation, dance recitals, etc. These are often for personal reasons rather than business purposes (though there are always exceptions!)

Dating profiles

Dating profiles are emerging as a key niche in the headshot industry as more people warm up to the idea of meeting a potential partner online. This means people are also putting more energy into what their dating profiles say and how they represent themselves. One great way to upgrade a dating profile is with a professionally shot and edited headshot.

Types of headshots + examples

We covered the different reasons for headshots, now let’s look at four core types:

1. Close-up headshot
2. Half-body headshot
3. Three-quarter headshot
4. Full-body headshot

Close-up shot

The close-up shot is arguably the most traditional type of headshot, and is likely the first type of photo that comes to mind when you think of headshots. It’s tightly framed, focusing on the subject’s face, often from the shoulders up. The background is usually simple or blurred to keep the attention on the subject’s features.

Here’s an example of a close-up headshot:

Half-body headshot

The half body headshot typically starts somewhere around the waist and covers everything from the waist up. You might see these in more casual headshots or photos that show context in the background, like in this half-body headshot example below:

Three-quarter headshot

A three-quarter headshot will start somewhere around the thigh. These are very common for models and actors in particular.

Full-body headshot

The full-body headshot shows everything—from the feet to the top of the head. This is often used when context is important. It’s rare to see a full-body headshot on a plain white or neutral background. Models definitely need all four kinds of headshots, with an emphasis on full-body shots.

Cost of headshot photography

Asking “how much does a headshot cost?” is similar to asking “how much does a car cost?” The prices vary depending on many factors, including:

• How many shots you want
• How many different looks you have
• Whether it’s on-site or at the photographer’s studio
• Whether edits and retouching are included
• Number of subjects
• Location and prices in that market

We researched many different photographers’ pricing and found the range is quite wide—typically anywhere from $75 to a few thousand dollars. According to this reddit thread, most expect it to be around $200–$400 for a standard headshot session with one or two subjects.

Tips for amazing headshots

Keep the following headshot photography tips in mind:

Equip yourself

When preparing for amazing headshots, it’s essential to equip yourself with the right gear and knowledge. While technically speaking, you can take your headshot photo with a smartphone, a mirrorless or DSLR camera will give you the best result. A smartphone headshots can appear pixelated or blurry if it’s stretched out to a larger size than the original file.

Here’s a quick-hitting list of equipment to consider for headshot photos:

• Camera (DSLR or mirrorless)
• 50mm lens
• Tripod
• Memory card
• Lights: studio light, speedlight, strobe
• Umbrella
• Diffuser
• Popup backdrop
• Posing stool

Get the lighting right

Proper headshot photography lighting can make all the difference. Natural light often offers a softer, more flattering look, while studio lighting gives you control and consistency. Both have their advantages depending on the setting and desired outcome. The way you use light depends on how you want your headshots to look.

Put the subject at ease

Often, the subjects in your headshot photos aren’t used to being in front of a camera. The photographer can play a key role in making them feel more comfortable, allowing you to shoot natural-looking headshots.

You don’t want to shoot someone who feels uncomfortable, as that discomfort will come through in the final shot.

Here are some ways to help your subject feel at ease:

• Talk about the poses to use before the shoot. Show examples if you can!
• Offer guidance for clients on how to style their hair, makeup, and skincare.
• Suggest wardrobe and accessories. Encourage them to bring a few options. Regardless of the style of headshot, you’ll want to stick with solid colors—patterns can render awkwardly and be distracting.
• Recommend your subject to rest and hydrate prior to the shoot.
• Talk to your subject to help them ease up.

It’s also important to get any signed photo release forms before you do the shoot, if needed.

Select the right wardrobe and setting

We’re going to expand on the wardrobe selection, as well as discuss backgrounds and props.

When offering guidance on attire, think about the goal of the headshot. If it’s a CEO, they might wear a neutral colored suit and tie. If it’s an actor, they might wear something more casual and timeless. There’s really no “best clothes for headshots” because it varies so much.

The same rings true for backgrounds. While neutral white, gray, and blue backgrounds were status quo for a while, headshots are getting more creative. You can use a bright color for more personality, black for drama, and real-life settings to give some context.

Here’s an awesome comparison of a great headshot vs. a not-so-great headshot of two different CEOs:

Make edits—but don’t go too heavy

While you want to do your best to capture the perfect shot, there are likely to be some required edits. Be careful not to go overboard here—you don’t want an overly edited photo that looks like AI or gives an obviously false impression of the subject.

Some headshot edits you might make include:

• Blur the background
• Retouch any imperfections that are temporary, like a hair out of place, a pimple, or bags under the eyes
• Remove the background so the photo can be used in a variety of ways
• Fix exposure
• Adjust white balance

Remember, it’s okay to fix imperfections, but the goal is to create a natural-looking headshot.

Know where you’re going to use the headshot

Perhaps this should be the first consideration: where and how will the headshot be used? Understanding context can help you get the perfect photo. A dating profile headshot, for example, will be more casual than a CEO’s headshot for the company’s about page.

You’ll also want to think about other elements where the headshot will be published. For example, is it going to be featured with other headshots? You might find some synergy with each individual, like on Humaan’s about page:

5 best headshot photographers to hire

There are tons of options to hire a headshot photographer. You’ll likely want to find someone local to you. Here are some of our top recommendations to help you get started in your search:

Alana Luntz

Chicago-based Alana Luntz offers corporate and business headshots in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. She also does engagement sessions, family portraits, dating profile headshots, and event photography.

Alycee Byrd

Alycee Byrd is a North Carolina-based fashion and portrait photographer who “uses her knowledge of natural light to create naturalistic and dynamic portraits.” Her love for fashion and creativity comes through in all her work. In addition to fashion, portraits, and headshots, Alycee also shoots live music and lifestyle photography.

Malena Vasquez

Based in the Miami area, Malena Vasquez is a professional photographer offering corporate and actor headshot. She also shoots branding photos and contemporary portraits.

Sarah Miller

Sarah Miller is a Philadelphia-based commercial photographer. She offers headshots in her home studio or at your location of choice (within her area). She also has an impressive portfolio full of all kinds of commercial photography—including branding sessions, food photography, product photography, and more.

Vanie Poyey

Vanie Poyey is a Los Angeles-based photographer who specializes in headshots for actors. She also provides professional headshots for businesses. She’ll provide guidance on what to wear so your shots land you the gigs you’re after.

Edit your headshots to perfection with Path

When fine tuning your headshots, a close eye for detail is important. You don’t want to leave your edits up to some faceless AI technology that requires manual review—and often further edits to refine its mistakes. That’s where Path comes in.

We carefully execute every single edit by hand. No shortcuts or compromising quality here. And we’re available around the clock, so you can get your edits back in as little as 6 hours!

Headshot photography FAQs

How to take a good headshot picture?

To take a good headshot, focus on the following:

• Lighting: Use natural light or soft artificial light. Avoid harsh shadows or direct sunlight.
• Background: Opt for a neutral background that doesn’t distract from your face.
• Pose and angle: Position the camera at eye level, and slightly angle your shoulders for a more dynamic look.
• Expression: A relaxed and confident expression works best. A slight smile can be inviting and approachable.
• Wardrobe: Choose solid colors or subtle patterns that complement your skin tone. Avoid busy patterns or logos.

How much is the average headshot?

The cost of a professional headshot varies depending on the photographer’s experience, location, and package offerings. On average, headshot sessions can range from $150 to $500. High-end photographers or those in major cities may charge more, while DIY or basic options could be cheaper.

What is the best pose for a headshot?

The best pose for a headshot is natural and relaxed. Angle your shoulders slightly away from the camera, with your head turned towards the lens. Keep your posture straight but not stiff, and ensure your facial expression is confident and approachable. Experiment with different angles to find your best side.

Do you smile in a headshot photo?

Smiling in a headshot can be beneficial, as it portrays warmth, approachability, and confidence. However, the type of smile depends on the industry and impression you want the headshot to make. A slight, natural smile is often ideal, while a more serious expression might be appropriate for certain professional contexts.

How often should headshots be updated?

You should update your headshot every 1–2 years or whenever your appearance significantly changes (e.g., different hairstyle, weight change, or new glasses). Regular updates ensure your headshot remains an accurate representation of your current self.

What should you avoid wearing in a headshot?

• Bright or neon colors
• Busy patterns
• Logos
• Overly casual attire
• Excessive jewelry or accessories
• Trendy outfits

How long does a headshot session typically take?

A typical headshot session lasts between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the number of looks or outfit changes, and the photographer’s process. Quick sessions may take only 15-30 minutes, while more involved sessions with multiple backgrounds and wardrobe changes can take longer.

What’s the difference between professional headshots and DIY headshots?

Professional headshots are taken with high-end equipment, ensuring better lighting, focus, and overall image quality. DIY headshots may lack this polish. A professional photographer will also guide the subject on posing, expressions, and wardrobe to get the best shot, while DIY requires self-direction. Professional headshots also often include retouching to enhance the final image, whereas DIY photos may require you to edit them yourself.

The post What Is Headshot Photography? Cost, Types, and Examples (2024) appeared first on Path Edits.

But if they come across a listing with a poorly edited product photo, it could make or break their purchase decision. They might be distracted by the glare of plastic product wrapping, spot a necklace with visible scratches, or a kitchenware set with photographer reflections on the metal surface. Those products will stick out like a sore thumb for all the wrong reasons.

30,000 sales and marketing pros get our insights, tips, and best practices delivered weekly.

Many products have challenging shiny, reflective, or transparent surfaces, so it helps to know how to shoot and edit them for a professional result. Look at some tips and tricks to help you create high-quality product photos that lead to sales—even on a DIY budget.

Examples of reflective products

Not sure which products can create unwanted reflections? There are actually more than you might think. Shiny, reflective, or transparent products might include:

• Jewelry
• Watches and other accessories
• Glassware and kitchenware
• Electronics
• Cosmetics and skincare products
• Sports equipment
• Office stationery
• DIY tools for gardening, painting, and other activities
• Fabric or materials such as leather, transparent polymers, and others
• Packaging and containers
• Labels and stickers 

How reflections and shine affect your product photography

There’s no doubt that shiny, reflective, and transparent products can be tricky to photograph and edit. But there’s more—some products also have unique shapes, which makes photographing and editing even more challenging.

For example, long-lasting product retailer Buy Me Once has a listing for a stainless steel garlic press. 

Even though the garlic press is reflective and has a complex, uneven shape, the photo shows no unwanted reflections, and you won’t find any scratches or fingerprint smudges on the metal. The product photo may look simple, but creating a picture-perfect finish like this takes careful consideration.

A few things to keep in mind when shooting and editing photos that feature shiny or reflective products are:

• Prevent unwanted reflections
• Watch out for blemishes, dust, and scratches (or remove those during editing)
• Avoid light spots that are either too bright or reflect on the product surface
• Retain any important product detail, such as a brand logo on a container or the transparency of a glass product
• Use just the right amount of reflection so the effect looks natural without being distracting 

When to use reflective lighting

Sometimes you want a reflective lighting setup. There are instances where adding shine can enhance the image. Look at clean cosmetics brand RMS Beauty. Light reflects on the cream in the brand’s product photo, emphasizing its texture. It’s appealing because all product details are still visible, despite the added shine. 

Similarly, an intentional sheen can add a sense of freshness to food and drink products, like in the example below from London Fermentary, a fermentation specialist. The effect is subtle but adds dimension and vibrancy to the glass bottles, as does the reflection on the white surface. 

Look at some image samples online before you shoot your products to have a better idea of what the outcome will be. It will help you prepare and set up your composition and lighting equipment.

How to prepare your studio setup for shiny or reflective products

First, organize your studio space and have the right tools handy to avoid complex photo editing later on. Some things to look out for include:

• Reflections of unwanted light, color, people or objects around your studio setup
• Harsh light that changes the look or color of your product
• Missed key parts of your product, such as labels or other details that have become blurry or obstructed because of a reflection or bright light
• Smudges, fingerprints, and scratches on the product surface

Clear the set

Start with a clutter-free setup for your product photo session. 

Only allow the people you need on the set. Otherwise, they may unintentionally block light, appear in product surface reflections, or even add light reflections of themselves. For example, if someone is wearing a watch or using their smartphone.

Remove or turn off any other light sources in the room. You might also need to block natural window light if you work with studio lights and want precise control over your light sources.

Clean the setup and your products

Make sure your products are clean after styling and positioning them. Shiny surfaces like metal or clear or colored glass will quickly pick up fingerprints, and dust will be easily visible in your photos. Microfiber cloths are handy for this.

You can also use a pair of cotton, microfiber, or latex gloves to handle your products and keep them stain-free. For electronic components, use anti-static gloves to avoid built-up static charges.

Take off the plastic packaging

Does your product come in cellophane or other similar transparent packaging? Consider taking it off for the photoshoot so shoppers can see the product without obtrusive material getting in the way.

For example, if you sell gift baskets, you should take pictures after you assemble them but before you wrap them in cellophane—the shiny material can make your products look less sharp in a photo.

You can do it like the eco-friendly product retailer Peace With The Wild. It has two photos of its grapefruit bath bomb. One shows the product up close (with added styling using petals), and the other photo displays the bath bomb in its transparent, branded packaging. 

Use basic product photography equipment

You don’t need an expensive studio setup to create professional photos that look great online. DIY your lighting setup with some of these basics in your photo kit:

• A sturdy tripod
• One light as a minimum, such as a studio light or a flashgun (if you’re on a tight budget, you can shoot using natural window light)
• At least one light modifier to diffuse the light, like an umbrella or a softbox (the larger the modifier, the more diffused the light, lessening the chances of glare)
• A modifier (such as a beauty dish or a grid spot) that creates a small, concentrated area for a strong, contrasted result
• A reflector and bounce cards or boards in black and white—you can start with an affordable, multi-use kit like this 5-in-1 reflector set
• A white backdrop for ecommerce product shots, a colorful backdrop for more creative photos, and something to place beneath your product—a board, plexiglass, fabric, or paper
• A level surface—such as a chair, desk, table, or floor—on which to place your products

How to photograph shiny products like metal and glass

With your studio kit ready, it’s time to start planning your equipment setup and compositions.

The main thing to remember is that it takes patience to build up to that perfect shot—from setting up your composition to adjusting your lights and camera settings. But the good thing is it becomes easier the more you do it, especially for similar products requiring the same type of setup each time. Consider taking a photo of your setup or drawing it in a notebook so you can recreate it next time.

Find the right angle

For reflective products, start by finding an angle that eliminates—or reduces to a minimum—any reflections of you, the camera, and any other equipment or people on the set.

You may need to tilt or move the product to get the right angle, or you can use props or craft putty to prop up an item like a ring or a watch.

For products with a mirror, such as this makeup palette by RMS Beauty, you can angle the mirror to reflect the product itself or a plain white background (or both). 

Position lights above the products

If you’re working with metal products like cutlery or jewelry, try positioning your light directly over them. This is a simple but effective method to create a soft light that works with various metal products of different shapes. 

• Set up a large softbox face-down directly above your products—look for lay flat or overhead boom stands or arms to hold your softbox
• If the dark edges of your softbox end up reflecting on the product surface, add a large, translucent diffuser (or white fabric) over the light to eliminate them
• You can also use a light with a diffuser at an angle for a more dramatic effect and shadows. For example, put the light on the opposite side of the camera, facing down at the product at around a 45-degree angle, like in this tutorial

A single light on the side of the product

If you have a plastic, acrylic, or glass product, like a bottle container, you can create a professional look with just one continuous light. You can even use your smartphone to shoot this setup if you’re on a budget.

Start by adding a softbox or a strip box facing the product on one side and a white foam board or a large V-flat on the opposite side of your light, like in this video. The trick is to move the light so its reflection on your product complements it, not obstructs the label or other details. Continuous lighting makes this easier because you can see the result instantly.

Experiment with different side lighting and angles to see what works for your product’s shape and design so you don’t obstruct essential elements like the brand logo. DASH Water, for example, has the light run across the left side of its sparkling water bottle. 

If your light is too strong, add a white material, like paper, fabric, or diffuser, between the light and the product. And, if you’re losing too much detail on the opposite side of the light, set up a white board or reflector on the other side, like in this video guide. It will reflect light and brighten your product’s opposite (dark) side.

Light on both sides of the product

If you have two lights, you can add a modifier, such as a softbox or a grid, to both and place them on the opposite sides of your product. You can start with both lights mirroring each other directly and then turning them slowly to find a result that works.

For example, turn the lights slightly towards the camera or angle them facing down towards the product, like in this video. Ultimately, you’ll get a result similar to the Gentle Folk Wines Rainbow Juice below. 

This setup works well to illuminate both sides of your product while keeping any central logos or labels visible. Do you need extra light in the center of your product? To get an evenly lit image, take another shot with a light facing the product’s front and merge all photos in Photoshop.

Illuminate transparent products

For any transparent products, such as perfume or beverage bottles with translucent liquid, it’s just as important to light what’s inside. You have a few options to try in a situation like this:

The first setup is to add a light behind the product (facing the camera) and two black boards—one on either side of the product. You can use a flash strobe, continuous light, or even a window light with white paper or fabric in front of it.

The two black boards on either side will add dark edges to the silhouette, like in the example below. 

The second option is to add a white background, like a white board big enough to cover your product. Then add a continuous light that shines a narrow beam towards the center of the board, like in this video. Add two black boards on either side of the product to create a silhouette similar to the setup above.

If you shoot products with a rim like a glass bowl, wine, or cocktail glass, lower your tripod and tilt up your camera. Doing so will create an appealing rim shape, like in the example below. 

For a more advanced setup, illuminate the product from behind using a flashgun, a studio light, or a softbox, and another light at the front. Add a white sheet between the product and the backlight for additional diffusion.

You don’t even need an extra stand for the frontal light, as shown in this tutorial because you can hold it in your hand and shoot using a remote or a timer. Then, all that’s left is to merge all photos in Photoshop.

Set up bounce cards or foam boards

You’ll inevitably come across surface reflections when photographing metal products or metallic packaging. Use cards, foam boards, and reflectors to correct or enhance your shots:

• Use a black card or reflector in front of the product to bring out any silver logo or text on the product or its packaging—experiment by changing the angle of the card or reflector.
• Use a white or black foam board (depending on which color complements your product) to avoid reflections. Cut a hole in it to fit your camera lens, and place it in front of your camera. This way, you will avoid reflecting your clothing or anything else behind the camera.
• Try a silver or gold reflector to add extra sheen to your products, depending on your metal type. Move the reflector around the product to find a complementary result.

Adjust your camera and light settings

It takes several test shots to get your camera and light settings spot on. During your test shots, consider the following:

• Lowering your light intensity level to reduce hotspots or blown-out highlights on your products
• Setting your camera to a smaller aperture between f/5.6 to f/16 to capture your products in full and avoid blurred-out labels or other details
• Changing the distance between the lights or diffusers and your products—this will create varying degrees of light intensity and softness

Give your camera an object to focus on

Shooting transparent or translucent products may make setting your camera focus difficult. A quick tip to solve that is to put something inside the product, such as a pen. Set your focus on the pen manually and remove it before you start shooting.

Show product transparency in lifestyle shots

In cases where product transparency is a key selling point, a lifestyle shot can make it easier for customers to see the product’s characteristics. Take the example of the Buy Me Once transparent speaker. Putting the speaker in front of the curtain makes it easy for customers to recognize the product is made of glass and to better envision how it’ll look in their home or office. 

Use a dulling spray to reduce shine and glare

If you want a more matte look for your shiny products, consider a dulling spray like the one from Krylon. It’s designed to add a temporary dull finish that reduces shine, and you can easily wipe it off after your shoot.

But be careful using it on porous materials, like product labels, because the dulling spray can make those look fuzzy or even ruin some colors or text. Instead, cover those before you use the spray. It’s safe to use on less porous materials like metal, glass, plastic, and acrylic.

Edit your product photography like a pro

Getting perfect product shots straight from the camera isn’t always possible. Sometimes you notice imperfections only after you open your product photo on your computer and see it on a bigger screen. Other times you already know you can’t fix some things during the shoot.

We have a few quick editing tips below to help you deal with some common shiny and reflective product photo problems.

Reduce glare

If your light is too bright, you can have light hot spots like in the example below. Sometimes, glare can add dimension to the product, but other times it’s too distracting. You can use Photoshop’s Clone Stamp tool to take pixels from one part of the photo and paint them over the part that has glare. 

Or try the Color Picker tool. Select a color sample from a part of the photo (like the green on the figurine) and then use the Brush tool to apply that color to the parts needing glare removal.

Edit reflections out

Even with careful preparation, you can find some ugly reflections.

Same as with glare removal, you can use the Clone Stamp in Photoshop to sample pixels and paint them over the reflection, like on the gold necklace below. Or use the Spot Healing Brush tool to let the software cover the reflections based on the surrounding pixels. 

Some photos require more complex editing. For example, the glass bottle below has both a window reflection and a distracting mix of red and yellow. If you want to leave more complicated fixes to professionals, our editors can retouch any reflections to save you time. 

Fix color cast on shiny metal

You have a few simple fixes if you have some light cast on silver products. The first option is to use Hue/Saturation Layer in Photoshop and select the color you want to remove, like yellow. Then, reduce that color’s saturation until you like what you see. You can use a Layer Mask to remove this effect from other parts of your image if required.

The second option is to use the Sponge tool in Photoshop. Ensure it’s set to Desaturate, and brush over the product areas with the unwanted light cast. In the example below, we used this method to desaturate any color on the metal straws. We also retouched the background with Healing Brush to remove any unflattering spots on the linen. 

Correct transparent products

Glass and clear acrylic products may show reflections or glare, especially if you work with natural light. It may be impossible to eliminate those during a shoot, but you can still fix them in post-processing.

Using the Clone Stamp tool, you can copy exact detail from other parts of your photo to another area. For example, to cover up reflections on a pair of glasses. In this case, we would take a sample of the pink background and add it over the glass where the reflection is visible. 

You can do the same for the black temples by zooming in for extra precision. The reason for getting in closer is to ensure you don’t accidentally go over the edges of the original area. 

Create composites

Shooting a perfectly lit product photo takes time, experience, and equipment. But even with just one light, you can fully illuminate your product by shooting several images and combining them in Photoshop.

Whether you use studio lights or natural light with a reflector, the trick is to move your light source around the product to ensure you’ve lit every part of it. It’s better to have more photos than not enough, so you can pick which ones to combine to create a composite image like in this tutorial.

Fix overly shiny skin

It’s not just products prone to shine and reflections—these imperfections can also show up in lifestyle photos. You might have models with overly shiny skin, especially if it was hot on shoot day.

If you work with a makeup artist, take a test shot and ask them to add a more matte finish to the model’s face or body if needed. Be mindful that smaller photography studios can get warm, especially if you use several lights. This means the model’s skin can become shinier during the shoot—you can ask the model to use a light mattifying powder or blotting paper if it becomes an issue. 

If you need to fix shiny skin in post-processing, use any mentioned tools, such as Spot Healing Brush, Clone Stamp, or a simple Brush tool with color sampled from a nearby image area.

When you’ve finished, zoom out and look at the final result from a distance—does it look natural? People’s skin has texture and natural shadows, so creating a realistic result can be tricky. Still, if you’re stuck, our editing experts can help. 

Get your photos ecommerce ready

After fixing any ugly reflections or shine, there are a few extra steps to ensure your product photos are ready for your website, social media, or ecommerce marketplace.

Put your photos on a white background

White background product photos are the industry standard for ecommerce stores. Removing the background in your product photos gives you several benefits:

• White background product shots comply with popular marketplace image requirements, such as Amazon
• You can easily remove any distractions in the background of your studio and swap them for a clean white or transparent background
• Product photos with a removed background are versatile marketing assets and can be repurposed with colorful backgrounds, graphics, or stock photos
• You can further enhance your images by adding shadows or lighting effects to your products 

Fix colors to show true look

You’ll likely need to do some color correction to ensure the products in your photos represent what they look like when customers purchase them.

For example, if you shoot during the golden hour (the first hour before sunrise and the hour before sunset), the light will be warmer, resulting in a more yellow photo. Your camera may also be manually set to shoot warmer images, or the camera auto function might pick up colors our eyes don’t notice. 

Use Lightroom’s White Balance profiles or White Balance selector to automatically set a natural white balance or adjust the sliders manually. Read our jewelry photo editing guide to learn more.

Retouch missed imperfections

Don’t forget to remove any other imperfections in the photo before using it online. Look for scratches, smudges, fingerprints, and dust for shiny products. These are generally simple to fix using Spot Healing Brush in Photoshop.

All you need to do is brush over the imperfection, and the tool will attempt to replace it based on the context and nearby pixels. It may take several tries to fix a more prominent spot, but you can zoom in closer for a more accurate result.

Add shadows for depth and a 3D look

Adding a shadow effect during post-processing can help your products stand out, particularly if you use white background shots for ecommerce.

White or transparent products will benefit from a subtle shadow so they don’t blend in with the background. Still, this effect can enhance any shape, material, and color product. For example, the organic silk brand Moonchild uses a drop shadow for its silk travel set product photo. 

Picture-perfect ecommerce shots that capture attention

Shiny products or packaging are integral to most types of ecommerce products. While it may be challenging to get the lighting right, and it may take time to edit out all of the imperfections, the finished result will catch the customers’ attention if done well. 

How to photograph reflective products FAQs

How do you photograph highly reflective objects?

Make sure the product is dust and smudge-free. Use diffused lighting, like a large softbox, to create soft, even light, and position the camera at a slight angle to avoid directly reflecting the light source or the camera.

How do you photograph reflections?

Position the camera or object at an angle for an appealing reflection. Use manual focus so all necessary image parts are in focus, and pick a higher aperture like f/11 for a sharp photograph. You can use white paper or foam boards to reflect pure white and avoid having to edit unwanted reflections.

How do you use reflectors in product photography?

To lighten any shadowed areas of your product, position reflectors opposite to your main light. Experiment with matte or highly reflective surfaces for different results. You can also use a black board or reflector to absorb any light and create a more dramatic light fall-off.

What is the best reflective surface for product photography?

Acrylic boards can work as inexpensive and flexible reflectors for product photography. You can also use them as the shooting surface for products like jewelry for a glossy, high-end result. Before you shoot, make sure they’re smudge and dust-free to avoid editing out imperfections later.

The post How to Photograph Reflective Objects & Products (Tips + Examples) appeared first on Path Edits.

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Choose the kit right for you

If there’s one photography niche where your kit matters, it’s sports. For a sharp shot of a football player in a poorly lit stadium, you’ll want a camera and lens that can handle a shutter speed that’s fast enough. Or if you’re shooting key moments of a gymnast’s routine, your camera needs to keep up with a burst of shots filling your memory card in seconds.

But before investing in expensive equipment, consider that different sports shoots require different types of equipment. Once you know what you photograph and how close you want to get to your subjects, you’ll know better what to pack in your kit.

Indoor sports events: Wide-angle lenses

If you cover indoor events, such as powerlifting meets, martial arts tournaments, indoor climbing, roller derby matches, dance competitions, or CrossFit events, you’ll have more freedom to get closer to the action.

Experienced health and fitness photographer and videographer Simon Yau from Simon Yau Media uses two camera bodies with wide-angle lenses for events: 24mm and 15mm prime lenses. However, you can also opt for zoom lenses if you can shoot wide.

“When I’m photographing CrossFit events, I have the advantage of being able to move freely on the competition floor, allowing me to get close to the athletes,” he says. “I carry both cameras holstered on my hips. While this might seem like a luxury, this setup allows me to capture the distinctive shots I’m known for.”

Photo by Simon Yau

Are you worried about only using wide-angle lenses? Swap one for an affordable, longer lens, such as a 50mm. This way, you can isolate emotion on an athlete’s face and shoot wide. Simon notes, “It’s about being prepared for different types of shots and having the tools to bring your vision to life.”

The goal is to create dynamic, immersive shots that capture the intensity of the sports. Using wide-angle lenses lets you capture dramatic images by getting up close, shooting from low angles, and trying different perspectives. You’ll undoubtedly create unique shots—just don’t be afraid to experiment.

Stadium and outdoor sports: Telephoto zoom lens

A telephoto lens is your best bet to capture action shots in stadiums, large halls, or outdoors. For events where you can’t get physically close to athletes, you’ll need a lens that covers that distance, such as a 70-200mm zoom lens. If your budget allows it, adding a prime telephoto lens, such as a 400mm lens, to your kit can also help you get more reach, but it won’t offer the same flexibility as a zoom.

But did you know a telephoto lens can also be an artistic choice? “When you zoom in with a telephoto lens, you achieve a compression effect between the athlete and the background,” Simon explains. “This technique allows you to isolate subjects in busy environments, creating a narrower field of vision.”

Posed athlete photos and portraits: Prime, zoom, or telephoto lenses

When building your professional photography kit, capturing individual portraits and team group photos will set you back less. You can focus on more affordable equipment options since you’re not dealing with fast-paced action or challenging low-light conditions.

With greater control over the scene, consider investing in portable studio lights and some versatile lenses. Then you can control the light and create high-quality images without breaking the bank.

“For a gym workout session, I’d probably opt for something wider or a standard lens, like a 35mm or 50mm,” Simon says. “This could be a zoom or a prime lens. However, if I’m shooting sports team headshots for a large gym chain, I’d likely stick with a telephoto lens to capture tight, shoulders-up portraits.”

Ultimately, the specific shoot requirements will inform you which lens combination is best suited, whether you’re capturing an athlete in their environment, a team-wide group photo, or professional headshots.

Master your camera settings

Don’t be intimidated by ditching auto mode on your camera. Learning to control your camera settings—shutter speed, aperture, and ISO—is key for capturing a consistent, strong sports photography portfolio. You probably already know that ongoing practice will help you improve, but here are a few essential sports photography tips to get you started on the right foot.

Use the right camera settings

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when choosing your shooting mode for sports photography. Different situations naturally lend themselves to different modes. Here are a few scenarios where each shooting mode can work well:

• Full manual control: Ideal for venues with consistent lighting. You have complete control over your shots by adjusting your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO manually. You can confidently shoot, knowing exactly how each photograph will turn out without unexpected camera compensations.
• Aperture priority: This mode is particularly useful when shooting sports events with varying lighting conditions. Maintaining a constant aperture ensures consistent depth of field and styling across your photos. The camera automatically adjusts shutter speed to compensate for changing light levels. Enable Auto ISO for added flexibility to maintain suitable shutter speeds for action shots even in challenging light.
• Shutter priority: When you need a specific shutter speed to either freeze a moment or create intentional motion blur (such as when panning), shutter priority mode ensures you get the desired effect. The camera adjusts the aperture and ISO to maintain proper exposure.

Set the right shutter speed

There’s a common assumption regarding shutter speed in sports photography that you always need to freeze the action. That’s because sports involve fast movements, and you generally need a high shutter speed to capture sharp images of those split-second moments.

In Simon’s experience with functional fitness competitions, he rarely goes slower than 1/500th of a second. This speed can capture even the quickest movements in most CrossFit exercises. But as with most things in photography, there are exceptions.

“Sometimes, I’ve intentionally slowed my shutter speed dramatically, even as low as 1/10th or 1/15th of a second. This isn’t to freeze the action, but to create different artistic effects,” Simon explains.

One such effect is called ‘shutter drag.’ Simon uses a slow shutter speed to blur motion in the background while he pans with the athlete. He’ll then use an on-camera flash at the end of the exposure to freeze the athlete in the frame, creating a sharp subject against a blurred background.

Photo by Simon Yau

“This effect wouldn’t be possible with a fast shutter speed. Instead, you’re relying on your panning technique to keep the subject focused long enough to create a crisp image against the motion-blurred background.”

Choose the right f-stop

Choosing the correct aperture (f-stop) in sports photography can significantly impact your images. Consider how much of the image needs to be in focus and what elements you want to include or exclude from the image.

For instance, in football, you might want more of the field in focus to show the player’s position relative to others. In tennis or basketball, you might want to isolate the player while keeping enough depth to show the context of their action.

Here are some scenarios to consider:

• Wide aperture (low f-number): Ideal for isolating athletes from busy backgrounds in action shots and individual athlete portraits. It creates a shallow depth of field, making the subject stand out.
• Narrow aperture (high f-number): Best for team or group shots where you need everyone in focus. It provides a larger depth of field to keep multiple subjects sharp, especially if athletes stand behind each other.
• Balanced aperture: For fast-paced sports, find a middle ground that allows enough light for fast shutter speeds while maintaining adequate depth of field, such as f/4 to f/5.6.

Shoot in continuous shooting mode

Do you have to capture a fast-paced game? You’ll want to use continuous shooting mode, also known as burst. You can shoot numerous frames per second as you press the shutter, perfect for those intense moments that can change the course of the game.

Your camera’s model will determine how many shots it can shoot in a burst before it needs to buffer. Each camera has a model-specific buffer size, which determines how many shots you can take before it needs to process them. In addition, make sure you invest in fast memory cards to speed up the buffering time.

Most camera models offer a choice of high and low burst modes, measured in frames per second (fps). However, older models may only have a single continuous shooting speed. Lower fps has an upside—you’ll have a smoother workflow with fewer images to cull after the event!

Use continuous focus

For fast-moving subjects in sports, continuous focus (also known as AI Servo for Canon and AF-C for Nikon), makes it easier to keep athletes in focus as they change position. Here’s why it’s important for sports and how to use it effectively:

• How it works: Continuous focus mode constantly adjusts the focus as long as you half-press the shutter button, tracking moving objects to keep them sharp. Consider using a group of focus points instead of a single point for subjects that move erratically.
• When to use it: Ideal for any sport with moving subjects, from runners and cyclists to team sports like ice hockey or basketball.
• Add burst mode: Pairing it with burst mode increases your chance of capturing the perfect moment in sharp focus.

Prepare and develop essential soft skills

In addition to technical know-how, preparing for the shoot and improving your soft skills can help you get better shots. Here are a few ways to easily improve your sports photography before you even turn on your camera.

Scout the location

The easiest way to give yourself a head start on any sports event is to arrive at your shoot location early and spend time scouting it, identifying any blind spots that are difficult to shoot, checking out the lighting, and taking test shots. This works particularly well if you can capture athletes warming up before the event starts.

Learn more about the sport

Understanding the sport you’re photographing is crucial for capturing those perfect moments. While you don’t need to memorize the rulebook, having a good grasp of how the game flows and where the action peaks can dramatically improve your shots.

Simon says he’s been a member of a CrossFit gym for about four years, so he knows the movements inside out. “I understand what equipment will be used, how athletes move, which parts of the movements are slow or fast, and when the peak moments occur. This knowledge allows me to time my shots effectively, resulting in more consistent hero images,” he explains.

Photo by Simon Yau

Build rapport with your subjects

For one-to-one photoshoots, like portraits, a genuine connection with the person in front of your camera will increase the quality of your work. It takes patience and empathy, especially when most people don’t enjoy being photographed.

“Anyone can turn up with a decent camera and shoot good images, but to get the best out of the person you’re photographing to serve their needs as a business or to get the best in emotion from them, you’ve got to break down those barriers that are stopping them from getting there,” says Simon.

What does that mean in practice? Figuring out posing cues and ways to interact with the person to make them forget about the camera. For Simon, the worst thing you can do is turn up to a photo session and stay in silence.

“It’s not about the equipment, it’s not about the setup or the technical aspects, it’s about having conversation human to human,” he says. “When you’ve got a good dialogue going, people loosen up. That’s where sports photographers can get the best out of your subjects.”

Enhance sports images with post-processing

Captured a great shot and can’t wait to share it with the athlete? Don’t forget to enhance it by editing it first. With just a few simple steps, you can transform an average photo into an impressive showcase of athletic skill. All you need is a photo editing software and a simple workflow.

Edit colors for realism and impact

When editing sports images for professional or personal use, aim for natural-looking colors unless you have a specific creative brief. Adjust the white balance and ensure athletes’ skin tones appear realistic, especially for online or print publication. Color correction, especially in venues with varying lighting, will instantly improve the image.

For gym photos where clients request a gritty, dramatic look, focus on enhancing contrast and texture. Deepen shadows and brighten highlights to accentuate muscle definition and create a more intense atmosphere.

Retouch imperfections

Sports photography, like fashion or product photography, can require some retouching to address common imperfections. Here are some areas to focus on:

• Skin blemishes: For close-ups of athletes, consider removing temporary blemishes or bruises, but be careful not to over-edit and ensure you maintain the athlete’s natural appearance.
• Distracting elements: Remove or minimize background distractions, such as stray objects or people that draw attention from the main subject, as long as they’re not integral to the game or event.
• Sweat and shine: For some portraits, consider reducing excessive sweat or reflection on the skin.
• Uniform issues: Correct minor apparel imperfections, such as wrinkles or small stains, particularly for team photos, official portraits, and commercial images.
• Lens dust: Don’t leave any spots caused by dust on your camera’s sensor. These can be particularly noticeable in shots with clear skies or simple backgrounds.

Remember, the goal is to enhance the image without making it look artificially edited. The focus of the photo should be on the action, the athlete’s emotions, or the raw intensity of the sport. Subtle retouching should complement these elements, not overshadow them. 

Improve your sports photos today

Sports photography is exciting for both amateurs and professionals. Whether on the sidelines or in the game, capturing intense moments is thrilling. While it requires some technical skill, these photography tips can help you get started.

Remember, great sports photos aren’t just about sharp images—they’re about capturing the emotion and energy of the game. And if you need help taking your photos to the next level, our expert team of editors can help you get them publish-ready. 

The post How to Improve Sports Photography in 2024: Pro Tips + Examples appeared first on Path Edits.

When it comes to optimizing your product photos, you’ll need to think about the context in which they’re viewed. Not only do Amazon product images display on your main product page, but they also show up in search results, as thumbnails.

Get the complete guide to Amazon image size requirements for 2024.

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Amazon image size requirements for 2024

When setting up new product pages or updating existing listings, you’ll need to meet the Amazon image guidelines and related technical requirements. If you don’t, Amazon won’t accept your listings and images, even if you have the best product images.

Technical requirements

Check out the technical Amazon product image requirements at a glance below, but remember it’s always best to check its site for the most up-to-date information and Amazon policy.

Other requirements to note for main product images include:

• Image size: Your Amazon picture sizes need to be at least 1000 pixels wide or tall, and 1600 pixels on the longest side. You can’t make your images bigger than 10,000 pixels on the longest side.
• Image frame: The product should fill 85% or more of the frame and not be cut off anywhere.
• Background color: ALL product photos should have a pure white background (RGB color values: 255, 255, 255).
• File format: You can upload JPEG, PNG, non-animated GIF or TIFF files. Amazon prefers JPEG.
• Color mode: Both sRGB and CMYK are accepted.
• File name: The file name must include the product identifier (this is your Amazon ASIN, JAN, EAN, 13-digit ISBN or UPC). After that, a period and a file extension (see accepted file types listed above). For example, 1234567890123.tif or A987654321.jpg. You may not include dashes, spaces or other characters in the file name.

You can also include up to eight additional photos to support your main photo.

Offer level images

If you’re selling used or refurbished products, an “Offer Level” or “Listing Photo” is also allowed on your product pages. This image displays on Amazon’s offer listing page, which helps customers differentiate your offer. To add your image, access your Amazon Common Template. Map the field termed as “Main Offer Image” and “Offer Images.”

Creative guidelines

Beyond adhering to Amazon product photography requirements, high-quality imagery will also make your products come to life for shoppers who can only view them through a screen. Some companies may opt to shoot their own product photos but there’s value in hiring a professional product photographer.

Using high-quality images for the main and child SKU images are particularly important for converting sales and receiving more clicks, but they’re also part of Amazon’s non-technical standards. These Amazon product images requirements are:

• Use real photos: The image must be an actual photo (or the cover art, in the case of music or books for example). Drawings, vectors and illustrations won’t be accepted as well as additional inset images, animated GIFs, graphics or text overlays. (Non-animated GIFs are acceptable.)
• Keep it simple: Anything in the frame that’s not directly related to the product risks becoming distracting to the potential buyer. Remove these from your Amazon product images.
• Aim for quality: Your Amazon product picture resolution should be high-resolution. Use sharp and well-lit product photos that look realistic. Pay special attention to how the colors look after they’re shot, as you don’t want any unpleasantly surprised customers.
• Be appropriate: Pornographic or offensive messages are prohibited from Amazon, so you’ll want to remove anything potentially risque from your shots. Check this tutorial to help you get rid of unwanted elements in Photoshop, Photomerge, or GIMP.

For shoes in particular, you’ll need to show only a single shoe, facing left at a 45-degree angle. No room for creativity here! Additionally, childrens’ clothing should be photographed flat without models, while apparel for adults should be worn and photographed on models.

Editing your Amazon product photos

If your photos require editing, you might consider hiring a professional photo editor, which can mean the difference between beautifully-detailed photos and Photoshop fails (which no business owner can afford).

Not sure if it’s time to outsource your photo edits or if you should keep doing them yourself? These are the 13 signs it’s time to get some outside help.

Here’s what can happen if you use an unreliable editing service, for example:

Source 1, 2, 3

Compare the images above to this professionally shot and edited image:

Source

It’s important for your images to be honest. In other words, don’t change the vibrance or saturation, because once your product gets to the customers, they’ll know you misrepresented the photos and description. Setting realistic expectations is very important, even critical, when selling online so your customers know what to expect.

Similarly, if you need to represent scale in your photos, make sure everything is realistic when photoshopping your images. It’s best, whenever possible, to put a ruler next to the item or simply put in the actual dimensions. Don’t enlarge any elements for products with multiple pieces.

What to avoid in Amazon images

Amazon requires all sellers avoid the following elements in the product images:

• Text, logos, borders, color blocks, watermarks, or other graphics covering the product or in the background for main product images
• Accessories that aren’t included with purchase
• Confusing props
• Mannequins

Here are additional resources from Amazon:

• Product Image Requirements
• Seller Central: Prepare product images
• Stores creative guidelines

Assigning image priority on the product page

It’s up to you to prioritize the images in the order in which you want them displayed. It’s a good idea to use all of the available image slots, rather than just two or three pictures. Doing so helps overcome one disadvantage that every online retailer faces: not being able to put the product in the hands of the customer.

Once you’ve uploaded your photos, you’ll want to prioritize and assign how each image appears on the page. This process determines the order of your images, so they show up in the correct sequence within the Amazon product search results as well as on your product pages. Consider arranging the images so customers experience the product (through photos) in a logical way.

Check out the example below from Loisa, which sells Latin-flavored spices and seasonings on its own ecommerce store and through Amazon. In addition to the straightforward white background shots, it angles the bottle of seasoning so customers can see the part of the label that lists the ingredients. It also showcases the product outside of its packaging so shoppers can better imagine cooking with it in real life.

Image source

Tips and best practices for Amazon product photos

Use lots of images

Use supplemental images to your advantage (and to help the customer make an informed decision). Give customers a detailed view of the item(s) from all perspectives. Not showing aspects of the product in detail can cost you a potential customer.

For example, this matcha powder from Golde is photographed in a few different ways. The main image gives you an idea of how it’s packaged, which sets expectations for when the product arrives. 

Image source

The supplemental images show how customers can use the product in drinks. It also gives you a glimpse into what the matcha powder actually looks like, which you can’t see when it’s in the packaging.

Show different angles

Try to imagine which angles the buyers would examine in person and then replicate that. You might also want to shoot your product from different angles.

If you’re not sure which angles your customers want to see regarding your particular product, go to a physical retail store and observe how shoppers interact with merchandise (if you can) or look around at objects in your home and pick them up as if they were displayed in a store. What would you look at or look for? The interior of handbags and wallets, for instance, are often photographed as there are important features customers would be interested in.

Incorporate models and people

Use a mix of images with people too. This can give products scale and help potential buyers imagine themselves in the model’s place.

Mind the lighting

You’ll also want to pay attention to the lighting of your photoshoot and how that affects the colors of your photos, especially because they need to look the same way in the photos as they do to the naked eye. Use an extra light source, and edit the photo afterward to really make it pop. A little bit of post-processing can go a long way.

Hire a pro

If your budget allows, consider hiring a product photographer. An experienced professional who specializes in your industry and type of products should know which angles to capture. Ask your network for recommendations and peruse directories like Shopify Experts, Guru, or Thumbtack.

A picture is worth 1,000 words—and sales

Never underestimate the value of optimized product images. Even though the search algorithm places some weight behind brand name, product title and description, optimizing your photos can certainly help boost your views.

Because a picture is truly worth a thousand words, ensure that your product photos help your customers see themselves with your product while also helping them make informed decisions.

Amazon image size FAQs

What size should images be for Amazon?

Your Amazon image size should be at least 1000 pixels tall or wide by at least 1600 pixels tall or wide. You can’t exceed 10,000 pixels. If your images are too big, you can resize them without sacrificing the quality.

How many listing images can you upload to Amazon?

You can upload one main product image and up to eight supporting product images on Amazon listings.

What are Amazon photo requirements for images other than the main first image?

Amazon has the same requirements for main images as it does for supplemental images. However, you should use these spots to showcase your product from different angles, contextually, and in different ways than it appears in the main image. Be sure to follow the Amazon product image size guidelines for all your photos.

The post Amazon Product Image Size Guidelines (Updated for 2024) appeared first on Path Edits.

Color can take an otherwise ordinary-looking product and make it pop off the page. Not only that, you can create a cohesive brand your shoppers will become familiar with.

Understanding color’s role in ecommerce allows you to make the right decisions for your shoot, but how can you choose the right background for your product photos? That depends on a variety of factors.

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How to choose the best background color for product photography

1. Figure out where you’re using the photos
2. Consider the color of your product
3. Think about other subjects in the photo
4. Use color to evoke specific emotions
5. Complement your brand colors
6. Review your photos on different devices

1. Figure out where you’re using the photos

Your product photos need to look great on your own website, but you also need to consider the context of your photos for other placements, such as online marketplaces, social media, and brochures. Let’s look at the best background colors for each channel.

Your ecommerce store

White, transparent, slightly off-white, and light gray are popular background colors for most ecommerce websites. These clean backgrounds make it easy for shoppers to browse through your products. Instead of being distracted by too much color, they can focus on and compare the products, like on Agood Company’s online store. 

If you want to use a touch of color, make sure the tones work well across your website. For example, children’s product retailer Kidly opts for different neutrals that fit well together and suit the brand’s light color scheme. 

If your brand calls for bright colors and you want a unique ecommerce shop front, get inspired by Life Supplies, which uses different tones to separate its various product ranges visually. One quick glance and shoppers instantly know which products are from the same line. 

Social media

When people look at your social media channels, you want them to see some visual connection between your images and your overall brand identity.

For example, Vielö sells premium skincare focused on organic and sustainable ingredients. The brand’s Instagram page shows photos featuring neutral colors and tactile materials, such as wood, paper, stone, and others. No photo is the same, but they all work together in a collection. 

You can also experiment with more colorful backgrounds, cropping, and filters for social media. It all depends on your brand and audience.

Amazon

Amazon requires sellers to use a pure white background for product photos. Even if you didn’t use a white background at the time of shooting, you can add it during post-processing. 

Here are other requirements to keep in mind for Amazon: 

Etsy, eBay, and other marketplaces

While other platforms aren’t as strict on having a white background, it’s still recommended for marketplaces like Etsy and eBay. It brings uniformity to the product browsing experience and makes your products look professional.

However, Etsy, for example, also allows you to use brighter colors and lifestyle settings as product backdrops. Browsing the different Etsy gift collections shows how sellers use various backgrounds. 

Print

Print signage, catalogs, and brochures haven’t gone anywhere. They’re still essential parts of marketing campaigns for many brands.

Clean white background is the perfect canvas for showing your product’s features and colors, while contextual lifestyle shots will allow shoppers to envision how they may use your product. For example, DIY and home improvement retailer B&Q uses both across its brochures. 

If you need to use product photos for in-store displays and signage, contextual lifestyle backgrounds tend to reign supreme. 

2. Consider the color of your product

Product color is another consideration when deciding your background color. The main thing to remember is you need contrast between your product and the background color. This means your product should always be lighter or darker than the background, regardless of your chosen tones.

Bright, colorful products

If you’re not limited to specific background colors, like white for an Amazon listing, and want to add color to your products, why not experiment with vibrant hues?

Once you know which products you need to photograph, review your shot list and look at the main product colors. Then, using the color wheel, review the opposite colors on the spectrum—these shades will let your products stand out. 

For example, if you have a green-colored product like this cleansing bar by Ambi, you’ll find reds, pinks, and violets on the opposite side of the color wheel. Using one of those as a background color for your product is a simple trick to create instantly eye-catching and attractive visuals. 

You’re not limited to just indoor studio shots, either. Take this purple wine bottle and tumbler from Partner in Wine as an example. While the overall shot features similar lilac tones, the product is displayed against the contrasting green grass, leading the eye straight to the product. 

Similarly, if your product has warm tones, opt for a cool color as the background—and the opposite for products with cool tones.

If your product only features a hint of color, try that as a background option. But, instead of going for the exact same shade, tone it down and opt for a lighter one, like Mio’s body butter photo. 

One trick is to use an online color tool like HTML Color Codes first to find your product accent color and then move the slider to the left for a lighter shade you can use as the background.

Neutral products

If your products are in the neutral tone range, why not stay there? Gray, nude, beige, and other neutral shades lend themselves equally as calm background colors for a sophisticated look. That’s not to say you can’t add a splash of color if it fits your brand, but neutrals work particularly well with equally neutral background colors and organic backdrops like stone, sand, wood, linen, and other materials.

Ethical and eco-friendly lifestyle brand Nkuku shows how adding similar neutral colors in the background can create an earthy but elegant look. The trick is to add enough color contrast to let the product take center stage. 

White objects

If you sell white products and need a white background to fit the requirements of a marketplace like Amazon, ensure your lighting and editing emphasize any shadows or texture the product might have. Doing so will help the product stand out even on a white or off-white background, like the Amazon listings for white gloves. 

If your white background shots need a touch of luxury, add a reflection shadow, just like Lily & Roo’s pearl necklace shot. It gives the illusion of a glossy surface, often used in higher-end jewelry, accessories, and tech stores. 

However, If you have the creative freedom to pick a background, any darker colors will help your white product pop. There is no one-size-fits-all, and instead, consider your brand’s color palette to help you choose a few different tones to find the best color background for your product, like this rich, maroon fabric showcasing high-end jewelry from Prestons. 

Transparent products

What if your products have no color and are made of a transparent material like glass? Whether you choose a white or dark background, lighting your product to bring out its edges is key. Adding shadows will help separate your products from the background, just like Waterdrop’s shots of clear glasses on a white backdrop. 

Another option is to add a subtle gradient. Nkuku’s glass bottles demonstrate it well—the lighter shade on the left highlights both bottles on one side, while the darker side contrasts the bottles’ contour on the right. 

Black products

Photographing black products brings its own challenges, similar to white and transparent. You want the product to be distinguishable from the background without losing any of its unique features.

Generally, this means you’ll want to go for a lighter color background. But you don’t have to always stick with white. Try more powerful colors, like Ethique did with its charcoal soap bar against a bright pink backdrop. 

On the other hand, dark backgrounds can create a luxurious, opulent feel, so if your brand calls for a dark design, go for it. You’ll just have to pay attention to your lighting during the photoshoot to illuminate your product and its shape, like in this bracelet product shot by Seekers. 

Whatever background color you choose, you want shoppers to see your products clearly. If the background overshadows the product or makes it difficult to see, that’s a clear sign to try something different.

Finding the right balance comes down to experimentation. Remember, you can always change the background color in post-production or use a color change service if the photo doesn’t turn out how you envisioned.

3. Think about other subjects in the photo

While product color has perhaps the largest impact on which color background you should use, you might also have other subjects in the frame to consider.

Props

If you create lifestyle or styled product shots, you’ll need props. Same as picking a background color or pattern, choose props that will complement your product rather than distract from it.

You might want to decorate the shot with props highlighting your brand’s message. For example, independent organic skincare brand Harvest included cozy wool socks, a towel, and a rustic wood backdrop in its foot salve product shot. The brand focuses on natural ingredients, hand-crafted products, and simple packaging, which shows in its prop choice. 

Another method is including natural ingredients as your props if you sell health, beauty, food, or drink products. Ethique does this playfully with bright colors and unique prop placement for its body care collection. Each photo features the main product ingredients, such as a slice of lime with ginger or a spoonful of matcha. 

Models

Showing your products in use with the help of models is a great way to give shoppers more context about your product. For clothing, footwear, accessories and jewelry, it’s a traditional way of showing how the product looks when worn, like on the Wild Fawn Jewelry online store. But you can use models for other types of products, too. 

Spend time with your team and photographer, and consider how your model’s hairstyle, clothing, and skin tone work with your background color to make your products shine. Establish who your models are in advance and which background colors you hope to use. Working with a stylist can also help ensure your models and products complement one another.

Remember, models play an important role in highlighting your products. But in most cases, they shouldn’t be the main focus. For example, WILD SAGE + Co included a model for its beeswax candle shot, but the model’s pose and clothing don’t detract from the main focus of the image—the product. 

4. Use color to evoke specific emotions

When you want to add some color to the background, consider how those colors may affect online shoppers. Are they complementary to the colors of your product and brand? Will they persuade shoppers to buy? Do they resonate with your brand?

Emotions associated with colors will vary across cultures, so it’s not a universal method. But you might still get inspired by traditional color associations as a starting point. For example, blue can invoke feelings of serenity and logic, while green—freshness, health, and nature.

While color is important, the truth is, there’s no best color for background. The colors you choose depend on your goal and what you’re trying to convey.

5. Complement your brand colors

To get the most from your product photos, don’t forget that they need to go well with your brand colors. The last thing you want is to have a handful of quality photos that don’t match your website or brand color theme. This is why planning your shoot beforehand is so important.

6. Review your photos on different devices

With 54% of shoppers choosing online shopping for better value, there are many different types of devices accessing your online store. Even if shoppers are in a physical store, as many as 92% still check out products on their phones first. From computers and tablets to various smartphones—that’s a long list of differently sized gadgets.

First, review how your images look on different screens—are they sized appropriately and visible even on smaller phones? As many as 44% of shoppers are expected to use smartphones in 2025, so ensure quality photos with cropped unnecessary details. Most browsers have built-in emulators to check sites on different screen dimensions.

Second, consider varying screen brightness and contrast levels. This means products need to stand out against busy backgrounds—or those that are too similar to your product tones—without colors blending together.

Product photography background ideas: colors to try

If you’re looking for quick recommendations on picking the right color for your product shots, here are some tips and creative background ideas:

White

White is the most common background color for online listings by default, and for a good reason. It works well with most color combinations and doesn’t require heavy edits. 

White is a safe bet and works for many scenarios:

• Fits online marketplaces: Ecommerce platforms like Amazon require at least one product photo to have a white background. Even if not a requirement, white is the perfect, distraction-free backdrop to show products on any online marketplace.
• Creates a cohesive look: A white background is a great choice if you want a simple, clean look for your online store. With white background, there’s no room for error because all your product backgrounds will work together.
• Makes editing easier: Even if your background looks slightly off-white after photographing it or the backdrop has some wrinkles, it’s easier to edit it to pure white compared to colorful backgrounds.
• Brings attention to the product: Most products will instantly stand out against a white background.
• Gives space for text: If you need to add any words alongside your product, such as for an infographic, a website banner, or an email, white background makes it easy to create a clean design.
• Can decrease page load speed: Adding color to images can increase your file size. White background images, on the other hand, can help your site load faster, but make sure you still compress your photos.

Neutrals

The closest to a standard white background, neutrals like off-white, gray—from light to dark— beige or brown can highlight your products online. 

Neutral works well for different product ranges and scenarios because it:

• Fits most products: Neutrals play well with jewelry, clothing, homeware, skincare, beauty products, and even tech.
• Don’t distract from your product: Similar to white, neutral tones will keep the attention on your product.
• Adds subtle warmth or coolness: Beiges and browns will infuse a warm feel to your shots, while cooler neutrals, such as gray or subtle blues, will tone it down.
• Perfect for social media: White might lack personality for branded social media product images. This is where neutrals shine and can help you create aesthetically pleasing social media shots.

Black

If you’re going for a more dramatic, elegant look—look no further than black for the background color. 

A black background:

• Creates a luxurious, timeless feel: It’s not very often you’ll find product shots with a solid black background, but it can work well if you’re going for a classic, bold look. The depth of an all-black backdrop gives an air of sophistication, perfect for showcasing jewelry, leather goods, technology gadgets, or rich textiles.
• Brings out product details: Lighter products with interesting textures can benefit from being shown against a black background to focus attention on their details, shape, or other unique characteristics that might otherwise not show on a white background.
• Works well with metallic products: A black background helps show off the shiny, reflective surfaces of metallic products as the light bends around them and creates a mix of highlights and shadows.

Colors

Whether you want high-impact pops of color or soft pastel tones, strategic use of color backdrops can take your photos to the next level. 

Here are some ideas on how to use colorful product photo backgrounds:

• Contrasting colors: Use the color wheel to find opposite colors that’ll make your products pop.
• Complementary colors: Layering colors in complementary or similar shades to your product will create a harmonious look. It’s a great way to mix and match your brand palette colors to add something unique to every photo.
• Bright colors: If your brand is all about energy, vibrancy or capturing attention, bright color backgrounds will help you set that tone in your product shots. Just take care not to let the colors detract too much from the product itself.
• Pastels: For a softer, more relaxed aesthetic, try using muted pastels. Shades like powder blue, pale peach, lavender, and subtle mint green can help express warmth and nostalgia. Pastels also tend to work well with floral, feminine, or vintage-style products.

Natural materials

Want something more unique than just a solid background color? Natural materials can help you create eye-catching product shots. From warmer materials like wood, terracotta, and cork to cooler, sophisticated ones like slate, stone, marble, and sand, there’s plenty of room for choice.

If your brand sells products that invoke themes like nature, coziness, and the outdoors, consider wood, moss, leaves, pinecones, or feathers. For minimalist, modern aesthetics, try marble, stone or concrete backdrops. Rustic, artisan goods pop against tiles, burlap, or linen, like this wooden soap dish from Jungle Culture. 

Changing color backgrounds after the shoot

One of the most powerful aspects of post-production is the ability to change the background color you used during your shoot. Sometimes you just won’t have the perfect colored material when shooting—that’s okay!

If you can’t find the colors you need, you can always add the color afterwards by following our Photoshop tutorial. But for next-level results, our experienced photo editors are ready to help whether you want a simple, white background or a colorful one. 

Best product background color FAQs

How do I choose a background color for my product?

1. Figure out where you’re using the photos
2. Consider the color of your product
3. Think about other subjects in the photo
4. Use color to evoke specific emotions
5. Complement your brand colors
6. Review your photos on different devices

What color background sells the most?

White backgrounds tend to sell the most. A white background allows you to showcase products without distracting buyers. It creates a clean, minimalist look that works for most products and marketplaces.

What is the best color for your product background?

White is a versatile background for most ecommerce websites, but the best background color will depend on factors, such as your product type, colors, and brand identity. Strategically using color will help draw attention, set the mood, and make details pop.

Should you use a white background?

White backgrounds showcase products without being distracting, creating a clean, minimalist look that works for most products and marketplaces. However, colored or textured backdrops can also highlight products uniquely.

What background should you use for food photography?

For appetizing food photography, complementary or clean, solid color backgrounds like white, black, and gray work best to avoid taking attention away from the food. Natural elements like wood boards or tablecloths also help enhance the photo. 

The post Best Background Color for Product Photography: How to Use Color to Drive Sales appeared first on Path Edits.

When consumers browse your online store, the only way they can experience products is through images and descriptive copy. As such, your product photos are a powerful way for customers to experience your wares.

After all, people retain 80% of what they see while only remembering 20% of what they read. If the photos on your ecommerce site aren’t up to par, you’re likely missing out on sales.

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But if the power to invest in high-quality product photography isn’t in your hands, you may need to make the case to your boss or superiors. Don’t worry—we’ve done the legwork for you. Just share these insights to make a compelling argument to your boss.

The benefits of product photography

There are a dozen reasons your product photography matters. But ultimately, the pros of high-quality product photos boil down to a few basic benefits.

Reduced returns

Accurate product photos are critical to reducing returns rates. You want to ensure photos depict how the items will appear in real life. This includes size, material, color, and more. Product photos with improper coloring, for example, can lead to increased returns. As many as 66% of online shoppers say color rendering in photos is important to them when browsing pants online.

Returns are costly for online businesses. The industry average hovers around 16%, and businesses lose about $165 million for every $1 billion in sales.

Lower bounce rates

According to one survey, the product photo is often the first or second thing online shoppers look at—along with the price. The last thing you want someone to do when they hit your product page is bounce. Poor quality photos will surely lead to high bounce rates because of a bad first impression.

Improved shopping experience

Online shoppers only have product images and a brief description to convince them to make a purchase. So, it’s no surprise that consumers have strong opinions about good product photos. In fact, 57% of shoppers say the number of product photos impacts their purchase decision when shopping for pants.

Quality also matters. According to Etsy, image quality is actually the most important consideration—90% of shoppers say it’s “extremely important” or “very important” when they make a purchase decision. 

Therefore, it stands to reason that customers want clear, concise copy paired with high-quality product photos.

Clarified value proposition

Customers can’t touch or try out your product when they’re browsing your ecommerce store. They have to immediately understand the value proposition of the product and why they should purchase it.

One way to build that kind of trust with customers is to provide crisp, clear product photos. High-quality images allow shoppers to see a product’s details, check out a product from multiple angles, and get a deeper sense that they understand exactly what they’re purchasing.

Images illustrate what your brand and products are about—which is precisely why you should ensure every photo is a solid representation of the brand. They help people understand what the brand is about. Telling someone your business cares about the community is one thing, showing them photos of you actually helping the community is much more powerful.

Poor quality images not only can leave potential sales on the table, but they can also degrade trust between the brand and customers. Blurry images prevent them from examining a product’s details and bad lighting means the product’s actual color or dimensions may be different from how it appears in photos. That can mean more returns or exchanges and a loss of customer loyalty.

Competitive advantage

Many small business owners struggle to get quality product photos. In fact, as many as 40% of new shop owners on Etsy list this as a “very difficult” or “somewhat difficult” challenge. And many online retailers are failing to meet consumers’ needs. Consider these insights from one study of people shopping online for pants:

• 67% want to see the front of pants and 66% want to see the back—so most shoppers want to see both the front view and the back view. While nearly 99% of stores show the front view, only 83% show the back.
• Approximately half of shoppers want to see detailed photos of the side seams of pants, and about 78% of stores do this. Just under 60% want to see photos of the “side faces”—which 71% of stores offer.
• 51% want to see detailed shots of the zippers on pants, while only 1.3% of stores have them.
• 42% want to see detailed shots of the rivet, 29% of the inside of the pants, and 25% of the inside of the pants pockets. The study didn’t find any merchants providing these types of photos.

Online stores selling pants show an average of 4.11 photos for each product. But it’s clear shoppers want more. If you can provide more than your competitors, you’re more likely to win the sale.

More shareability

Want your product to go viral? That’s less likely to happen with dark, blurry photos. Consumers are 40x more likely to share content that features an image across their social channels.

For example, research showed that Facebook posts with photos saw the most engagement over any other type of post — they accounted for 87% of total interactions. Another study showed tweets with images receive 18% more clicks, 89% more favorites, and 150% more retweets than tweets without images.

One solid example of this is Oreo, which created a 100-day, image-driven campaign to celebrate the cookie’s 100th anniversary. The results speak for themselves: In just 100 days, the brand gained more than a million Facebook fans and boosted interactions by 195%. 

Image: Storybox

3 arguments to make in favor of high-quality product photos

To add to the list of benefits above, you can further sway your superior with a handful of compelling arguments in favor of product photography. These reasons will help you make a solid case as well as respond to any potential objections your boss may have.

1. Product photography is an investment with an immediate and high ROI.

Potential objection: “Photography is expensive and has a high upfront cost.”

Your visual presentation counts with customers. From the design to your ecommerce site to the way you present your wares in images, these are visual factors shoppers note when considering a purchase. As a matter of fact, in one recent study, 93% of consumers cited images as a major consideration when making a purchasing decision online and more than half of consumers will leave a website if they don’t like how it looks.

As a result, upgrading your product photography game can an immediate impact on sales. To help you get it right the first time, consider these stats:

• A Splashlight survey showed that half want to see at least three to five product photos that shows the product at different angles
• In the same survey, more than half also wanted to see apparel in product photos on models
• Our analysis of the top fashion and apparel sites found that brands show an average of eight product photos per page

So, although product photography is undoubtedly an investment, it can help turn more of those browsers on your ecommerce site into buyers.

2. High-quality product photos is an industry best practice (and can help you beat out competitors).

Potential objection: “There are plenty of other ecommerce sites that don’t have professional product photos.”

One way to pique your boss’s attention is to bring up a potential competitive advantage. Because not all ecommerce sites have adopted professional-quality photography to showcase their products, this is one way to differentiate your brand from competitors in your niche.

 

 

 

 

 

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Make the case that using poor quality images is not only causing you to lose sales, but also leaves a gap for competitors to use to get a leg up on your brand.

That being said, more and more ecommerce brands are seeing the light and investing in professional photos. To drive home your point, ask your boss to put themselves in the mindset of a shopper. Show them a side-by-side comparison of two ecommerce sites; one with poor quality images and another selling similar products with professional photos. Which one would they personally buy from? 

3. Product photography doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive.

Potential objection: “Building a photography department would be too expensive right now.”

Yes, the sky can be the limit when it comes to building your own photo department. Good photographers require good salaries and the necessary equipment can cause a serious case of sticker shock.

But you don’t have to go from nothing to an entire department. You can work with a freelance photographer to take product photos on an as-needed basis (which is far less expensive than shelling out for a full-time salary plus benefits).

 

 

 

 

 

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Depending on your needs, the photographer’s experience, and your location, a professional photographer will typically charge $75–$300 per hour or around $75–$375 per image. That’s far less expensive than paying the average salary of $38,901 per year plus benefits for a full-time photographer in the U.S.

If your boss prefers to keep your efforts in-house, then you can DIY your way to great product photos. By buying the right props and equipment, you can save a little cash without seriously sacrificing on quality. 

Make your case for quality product photos

Now that you can make a compelling argument to your boss convincing them to invest in product photography, here are some additional resources to help you navigate the process of creating high-quality images for your ecommerce biz:

• Martha Stewart Photo Stylist Shares Her Best Tips for Your Product Shots
• How to Build an Internal Product Photography Department
• Get Inspired: 50 Ecommerce Sites With Beautiful Product Photography 

The post How to Convince Your Team It’s Time to Invest in High-Quality Product Photography appeared first on Path Edits.

And while photo editing can turn an average photo into an amazing one, it’s not magic. You can’t throw a poorly composed smartphone image into Photoshop and expect to turn it into a professional-worthy photo with some retouching and clipping paths.

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Edits are meant to enhance the photo, not recreate it. So it’s important to get it right during the shoot so you can minimize post-processing edits and maximize results. 

1. Show all angles

Use multiple angles to show more than just the front of your item. People want to know what it looks like on the sides, from the back, from above, etc. Showing all angles is incredibly helpful in giving more context.

Showing all angles can help reduce returns because shoppers have a better idea of what a product will actually look like when they have it. In 2020, SalesCycle found about 64% of returns were because the item didn’t match the description online. 

This is especially important if you sell clothing, which has the highest return rate compared to other products. According to Nielsen Norman Group, the most effective product photos are “large, consistent, specific, dynamic, and inclusive.” 

Athleisure brand Girlfriend Collective shows multiple angles of its clothing to help potential customers make an informed decision about their purchase. 

One tip is to shoot from below the product, so the product looks bigger and like a “superhero” shot. Here’s an example where the product photo makes the Logan Graphic dual driver larger than life: 

Implementing 360-degree photography can also be a great choice, especially if you’re selling apparel.

Again, don’t overthink it. Generally speaking, the more context you can show in your product photos the better, but don’t spend too much time over optimizing.

2. Highlight important product details

You put a lot of hard work into creating amazing products. Your product photos should highlight all that effort, including details like ingredients, materials, stitching, and any other stand-out features.

See how apparel brand Baro highlights the quality of its parka called The Brockton by focusing on the zipper. In another photo it shows the inner stitching of the parka to further demonstrate the quality of the item. 

Health wearable company Oura also uses its product photos to give a close-up look at the technology that powers the ring. Not many rings have hundreds of sensors on them to track your sleep and heart rate, so highlighting the tech goes a long way in helping show how the Oura ring can track important health and fitness metrics. 

3. Consider your page layout

Product images don’t exist in isolation. They’re usually part of a larger digital experience on your website, social media, Amazon, or wherever you’re selling. Your product images should match stylistically with the rest of your brand visuals.

Create a style guide with product photo standards to help keep your entire storefront consistent and cohesive. By setting a standard for hero images (for example, always use a white background for a hero image) you can be a little more creative when it comes to secondary shots. 

KOOSHOO sells its sustainable hair accessories using a uniform white background photo for main images, creating an easy browsing experience on its website. 

When users click through to a product page, they can see more variety with product images. Contextual lifestyle shots are buried as secondary images. The best of both worlds. 

If you have a huge product line, consider breaking out style standards into multiple categories. Kettle & Fire does an excellent job of using a product page layout that works visually. Clear, crisp, and easy to navigate, customers can quickly learn more about their favorite bone broth flavors. Regardless of the flavor you view, the style is similar across the board. 

4. Use photos in navigation

One underrated way to use your product photos effectively is by including them in your website navigation. Essentially, this means having each product photo clickable underneath so that your users can quickly browse various products in an intuitive and easy way.

Customer satisfaction platform FigPii found that adding your product photos to your navigation can improve conversions, highlighting Baboon to the Moon as an example. 

By simply adding images above the item category, the brand increased its conversation rate by 4.4%, compared to a text-only approach.

Product photography is the cornerstone of ecommerce success

Product photography is almost like your digital inventory. Without photos, you’ve got nothing to sell. With these quick product photography tips in mind, you can create images that inspire buyer confidence, reduce editing time, and drive sales.

The post 4 Product Photography Tips: Get the Perfect Shot—Minimal Edits Needed appeared first on Path Edits.