An astounding 75% of online shoppers rely on product photos when deciding on a potential purchase, highlighting just how valuable a role that photography plays in ecommerce. However, for the photographers just starting out and who are looking to build their resume, achieving the best quality photos possible can be a prime way to gain more sales – though it’s often difficult to know where to start. From building up a comprehensive portfolio to perfecting the basics (like lighting), here’s what you need to know when it comes to improving your skills.
Perfecting the lighting
Getting the lighting right in your product photos is imperative in getting the best quality pictures, and there are a few options to choose from. Natural light is a great, budget-friendly way to go when just starting out, and because it’s easy to manipulate when it comes to harsh shadows and light, it can be ideal for those looking to get the best shot.
On the other hand, using studio lighting can also be done affordably, though it’s a bit more tedious and you’ll need at least two softbox light setups (which in turn, will then act as a diffuser by distributing the light around the product more evenly) in order to get the shadows right.
Expanding your knowledge
Expanding your knowledge on the subject of product photography is yet another smart way to build your resume as a beginner, with one course of action being to take a comprehensive class on the subject. Shopify Product Photography for Ecommerce, for instance, allows you to learn from the co-founder and president of Products of White Photography, Jeff Delacruz.
Throughout the course, you’ll be able to learn a number of valuable skills – including that of how to take pictures on a white background (which is a fundamental of ecommerce product photography), how to shoot with a model, and how to set up a home studio while on a budget.
Building a portfolio
No matter your skill level, building your portfolio is a fantastic way to gain both skill and experience as a product photographer and can be done by simply experimenting with different techniques in order to learn throughout the process. In turn, this will allow you to gain firsthand insight on what does and doesn’t work, as well as compile quality images for potential clients to look at.
One great way to get started in building up a quality portfolio to add along with your resume is by experimenting with something small – like jewelry, which will allow you to play around with factors like lighting, angles, and backgrounds in order to get the perfect outcome. As you might know, jewelry is meant to be stored properly in order to maintain its shine and value. Many choose a decorative jewelry box to keep their pieces in, which means not only would you be able to get a beautiful shot of the piece itself, but you’d have other decorative items to play with, which could add extra value to your shots.
Gaining experience and skill as a beginner product photographer might sound difficult, though there are several ways that this can be achieved. From building a quality portfolio to taking a comprehensive course, you’ll be able to gain the skill and experience you need to boost your resume and get more work.
