In the digital era, online shopping has become a common way to make all kinds of purchases. Using a computer, tablet, or cell phone, you can buy products online thanks to online stores that have all the necessary elements such as product cards, secure payment gateways, shipping methods, or shopping cart systems, among others.

eCommerce photography is a crucial factor in this type of business, as it is the element that puts the user in visual contact with the product they want to buy. Having quality photographs, conveying what the item looks like realistically is key to increasing sales and making many users repeat eCommerce customers.

What is eCommerce photography?

Product photography in an online store is an essential element to help the user make the purchase decision, showing the item in detail and from different perspectives. 

Photography has a significant impact on eCommerce as it is the visual element that brings users closer to the reality of the products they are looking for.

A product card has a title informing the user about the item and a full description covering all of the product’s data, features, and qualities. Although both are necessary, product images go further by visually describing the object as if the consumer was holding it in their hands.

How does the eCommerce image influence online shopping?

The primary role of product photographs in eCommerce is to help the user make a purchasing choice. Customers will overcome their fear of making a purchase and will have more confidence in what they will buy if they have decent product photographs that illustrate what the product is really like.

Returns are another essential component of eCommerce. If you have quality product photos that show how it is, the number of returns will considerably decrease because customers will be buying a product they want.

How to take photos for an eCommerce?

Each online store is different, handling different products, models, and brands. The photo of an eCommerce varies depending on these aspects and the style and design of the store itself.

To take professional quality photos for an eCommerce, which helps users make a purchase decision, you should follow the steps:

1. Have the necessary tools

It’s vital to have the following equipment and elements while taking images for an online store:

• Camera. Undoubtedly, the camera is one of the basic elements when taking photos for an online store. Although many smartphones have high-quality cameras, it is best to opt for professional cameras that allow you to get snapshots with the highest quality and realism possible (such as Canon or Nikon reflex cameras, for example).
• Tripod. The tripod is necessary to place the camera and take pictures from a stable support point. It would help if you had a good tripod that always guarantees the same framing to perfect product photography.
• Table and background. The product should be placed in an environment that facilitates taking pictures from different angles and positions. It is best to have a large table and implement a white background (using elements such as cardboard, sheets, or special screens).
• Lighting. If you want to take product photography for an eCommerce to another level, it is best to have an adequate lighting system (with different spotlights, light reflectors, and screens).

2. Prepare the environment

Before taking a photo of an item for an online store, the first step is to prepare the environment where it is taken. The usage of a white background is common because it allows the user to concentrate on the product rather than being distracted by other irritating features black for bottles of wine, for example).

Positioning the tripod with the camera in the ideal situation to take the pictures and having artificial or natural light is another aspect that must be prepared precisely before starting the photoshoot.

3. Setting the camera

Cameras have several settings that can be tweaked to produce higher-quality, more realistic photos. We have the following primary points to alter on the camera:

• Sensitivity. It is the amount of light needed to capture the photograph. It is necessary to adjust the ISO sensitivity to a suitable value that allows the required amount of light to pass through without filling the image with noise.
• Aperture. The diaphragm aperture delimits the camera’s depth of field and must be adjusted to prevent parts of the photos from being out of focus.
• Exposure time. This parameter gives a sense of mobility or freezes the image. A faster or slower shutter speed will be more attractive depending on the product.
• Resolution. The resolution of the product photos must be high to guarantee maximum quality. Subsequently, the image can be treated with an editor to optimally adapt its size and resolution to eCommerce (never forget the web loading speed, a key factor for the user experience and web positioning in an online store).

4. Position the product

With the environment prepared and the camera-ready, the product must be positioned to start the photoshoot. It is necessary to have a product in perfect condition, being the best to use a new item so that it does not have any sign of use or deterioration that may negatively influence the user’s purchase decision.

5. Perform tests

It is always important to perform different tests to verify that all the previous steps have been carried out correctly. For them, you should take some pictures and analyze them concisely. It is the time to make any readjustments to the camera settings, optimize the lighting, or improve the background.

6. Take different shots

After starting the photoshoot, it is important to take several product shots to select the best ones. Two essential points when taking product photos for eCommerce are:

• Rotate the product. The product should be photographed from all sides to offer users the possibility of viewing it entirely and accurately.
• Zoom. You can take more detailed photos showing a product’s small details by zooming in the image.

7. Editing the images

The final phase is editing images to adjust them to the web format without losing quality. The ideal is to use professional graphic editing tools, such as Adobe Photoshop. In this process, some characteristics of the photographs can be readjusted, such as brightness, colour intensity, resolution.

Remember, if you do need to get rid of the background, you can do this using a background remover tool.

Tips for enhancing your eCommerce photos

1. Go for a white background so that the user can focus their attention on the product.

2. Do not use a smartphone to take photos. It is better to go to a professional who has cameras suitable for quality photos that your online store needs.

3. For some products, it is essential to include a photo within an environment as this allows the user to compare it with other items to get an accurate idea of its size and volume.

4. Include detailed photos of the item. A few external pictures of the product are insufficient because users want to see all of the item’s intricacies.

5. Follow the same style for all eCommerce product photos. This conveys a consistent and professional image, which is pivotal for the company’s success.

6. Avoid watermarks on the photos of the online store. Although they are ideal for protecting the authorship and cannot be reused, they are elements that distract users and can become annoying.

7. Combine different sizes of photographs. For example, show other thumbnails that can be enlarged by clicking on them.

8. Photos of an eCommerce need to be sharp, so it is recommended to use low ISO sensitivity.

9. Use images that show true-to-life colours, using digital editing if necessary.

10. Add photographs of the product in operation to provide more exceptional value to the user.

Final Thoughts

All in all, your eCommerce product photos are vital for getting more sales and avoiding many returns. Betting on professional photography for the different items in your store is the best decision that will allow you to get better results and project an image of trust and professionalism.