These days, great product images are essential in eCommerce. If your website doesn’t have clear, comprehensive product photos, customers will go to a competitor’s site.
The question remains—how can you acquire top-notch product pictures that correctly represent your product’s features? You should hire a pro, but that nagging voice will remind you that an iPhone will do. You’re thinking to yourself, “I can do this myself.”
DIY product photography may appear faster and cheaper, but it will likely cost more in the long run. Here are five things to keep in mind if you want to create successful and stunning product images:
1. DIY Product Images May Not Produce Professional Images
Having high-quality pictures is an essential component of eCommerce success. Customers prefer shops that have high-quality images over those that have low-quality photos. 75% of online customers appreciate product images, and gaining their trust boosts income.
You don’t want to spend hours on a photoshoot just to be unhappy with the outcome. You must hire a professional to complete the task. A professional photographer will know the optimal lighting, camera angle, production design, and the like that best promotes your product.
They can produce high-resolution pictures that attract potential clients to your site.
Yes, amateur images may be editable post-production. But if the photography is not good, there’s not much that post-production can do. It also takes special skills, time, and energy that you or your team may not fully have.
2. It is a Challenge to Scale Non-Pro Grade Images
When two products appear beside a similar product brand on an eCommerce search results page, the one with more pictures would get more engagements and beat the competition.
Buyers demand more than beautiful photos. It is good to include an average of eight product pictures to appease consumer interest. The difficulty with DIY is scalability and aesthetic consistency, which can turn off a potential buyer.
3. DIY Photography Requires Unused Space
There must be enough space to capture all of your goods in pictures. This means you might need to use space intended for your business operations or storage. Your product photoshoot can disrupt the productivity of your business during your DIY photo sessions.
In addition, massive DIY photography needs a significant amount of electricity to power the equipment. If you work in a distribution center, you may need to upgrade your electricity. Still, if you deliver your products to a film studio, you will incur delivery fees and other necessary equipment.
Professional photographers often work with their teams and bring their equipment. All they need is a creative brief from you, and they’d know what to do to deliver the images you need. Isn’t that simpler and less stressful for you?
4. Making Interactive Images Is Also Difficult
eCommerce businesses no longer supply static product images. They see value in having rich product content like 360-degree pictures on their product landing pages.
Pages with 360-degree spinning images can significantly decrease bounce rates, increase cart decisions, and boost conversion rates. Creating 360-degree assets requires expertise, software, and equipment that amateur or DIY photographers don’t have.
It is why hiring a pro is your best option.
5. Do-it-Yourself Product Photography Depletes Time, Money, and Energy
Setting up an internal team to photograph your items may look cheaper. Keep in mind that this project will need time, resources, and employees, especially if the ROI is questionable.
Ask a colleague to take the snapshot. They might be able to do the work, but they’ll have to troubleshoot and learn about product photography, which is reasonable given their lack of experience. Plus, taking photos takes time away from their jobs.
Large-scale production may take months. It includes shooting time and will require a project manager and product handlers. You’ll also need to equip yourself with cameras, tripods, studio lights, a shooting table, and editing software.
Conclusion
Doing everything yourself is complex and does not guarantee a return on investment. Your budget may swell even more if you take into account that the project would require more time, energy, and training for the amateur workers you’ve employed.
Think of product photography as an investment towards your brand or business that will produce results. After all, you are in the service of your customers, and you want them to see your 100% commitment to providing your best service at the get-go. Appearances matter in customer opinion and loyalty, ensuring you get professional photography for those winning product shots.
Armitage Photography can create gorgeous, inexpensive product pictures for your website. We also make creative visual product interpretations for advertising campaigns and store decor for different kinds of businesses. If you’re an Atlanta-area business looking for professional product photography, reach out to us today!
For more information and how to book services, please reach out via email at [email protected] or via phone at 404.247.5458. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for exceptional photo inspiration as well as photography tips and tricks.
