Contributed Article
E-Commerce Fashion Photography Guidelines
By Isabella Foreman
February 25, 2022ECommerce Fashion Photoshoot is a type of photoshoot that has editorial influences and provides customers with a comprehensive view of each garment. Retail photography, also known as product photography, has become so important that it can make or break your website.
Furthermore, E-commerce photography has evolved into a powerful tool for persuading customers to make a purchase, but there are a few key details to keep in mind when shooting.
That is why, when photographing products for your eCommerce store, you want to get it just right. It can mean the difference between a sale and a potential customer leaving your website.
If you are setting up a new store why don’t you start with doing your own shoot, learning DIY tips for product photography would help a lot
So, if you wish to strategize and execute your own e-Commerce fashion photoshoots the guidelines below will undoubtedly set you up for success:
- Planning the e-Commerce fashion photoshoots
- Preparation for the shoot
- Equipment e-Commerce shoots
- Setiing up lighting for fashion photoshoots
- Making sure product is shoot worthy
- Shooting process
- Post-processing of the product shoot
Planning
Organizing a product photoshoot for the first time can be quite daunting. However, if you plan the process, the smoother and easier it will become.
Hence, before you plan the shoot, you must decide how the photography will represent your brand. This information will also influence the model you select, the product images, and the style you aim for.
You can also hire a super-merchandiser to your team to speed up the planning process. This individual is well-versed in the inventory products and is aware of each product’s unique selling points.
They will also be aware of the target audience’s purchasing habits and lifestyles, allowing them to pitch aspects of the product to the buyer.
Finally, you must decide how you want your clothing items displayed on your eCommerce store. For that, you must decide whether to use an invisible mannequin, hire a fashion model, or go with a more cost-effective option of flat lay photoshoot.
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Preparation
Preparation is essential for any successful photoshoot, whether it’s ironing clothes, cleaning and dusting a bottle of shampoo, thinking about the shots you’ll need, or testing your lighting beforehand.
Furthermore, with so many e-commerce competitors, it’s critical to optimize every photo shoot to ensure that the line will appeal to your customer base.
This aspect of eCommerce photography can be further segregated into three main categories; Equipment, lighting, and product.
Equipment
E-commerce In terms of equipment, photography requires very little. Keep in mind that the equipment you require does not have to be prohibitively expensive.
- Camera: You don’t need to spend a fortune on a high-end fashion photography camera to take good photos. Because of their newer technology and lighter weight when compared to traditional DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras are by far the best type of camera for photographing clothing. However, even with some of the most recent smartphones, you can take very professional and polished photos.
- Background: Choosing your background is critical because it will greatly assist you in post-processing. You can purchase a white sweep, which is a backdrop that seamlessly transitions from the vertical to the horizontal plane. You can also purchase a studio backdrop kit that will allow you to photograph long garments or dresses and even a mannequin at full length.
- Tripod: A sturdy tripod is essential for studio photography because it eliminates any unwanted camera shake caused by hand-holding your camera. Do not underestimate the value of a tripod in reducing blur and maintaining consistent angles across different products.
Lighting
Lighting can have an impact on how well your photos turn out. You can use either natural or artificial lighting, depending on where and what you’re trying to capture.
When shooting with natural light indoors, try to shoot when the sun is at its brightest so you have the most options for manipulating the light.
Artificial lighting, on the other hand, gives you more control over the process, which is useful if you’re shooting multiple products.
However, studio lighting can be costly and requires a learning curve to fully master. There are numerous types of artificial lights, and you should exercise caution when purchasing one.
Product
Preparing your clothing product is essential for a successful photoshoot. If possible, seek the assistance of a stylist who can curate outfits that will appeal to your target audience. These stylistic decisions will aid in all stages of production and will help to establish your brand’s identity.
The first step in preparing your product is to iron or steam all of your garments. Do this before hanging everything to ensure there are no wrinkles.
Next, you’ll need a stable shooting surface on which to position your product. That will be the ground over your sweep for large products. For small products, a shooting table or any other table on which you can mount or improvise a sweep can be used.
Shooting process
In theory, this is the point at which all of your planning and preparation will come together. The better your planning and preparation, the more smoothly your shooting should go. While you want to get things done quickly, don’t forget to pay attention to the details.
The general rule is to provide your customers with as many relevant perspectives as possible, highlighting your product’s features, applications, and intended environment.
Nothing is more upsetting for a customer than receiving a product and discovering that the fabric is stiff when they expected it to be soft. Or that the item had a zip closer when in fact it has buttons. Hence, when photographing clothing, don’t overlook the small details.
Post-processing
Post-processing or retouching is required for polished professional photos in order to create a consistent look throughout your store.
Your post-production workflow should consider how you want your photos to appear on your eCommerce store. Post-processing can range from background removal to color correction and can greatly improve the credibility of your fashion photograph.
While I strongly advise you to get as much right in-camera as possible, don’t forget about the finishing touches in post-production.
Final words
Check that you have enough images after the retail photography shoot. One or two images of each product are insufficient to provide customers with an accurate representation of the quality of your product.
The final step is to upload your items to your online store and any marketplaces where you sell, making sure that you meet the image requirements
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