What to expect from a Product Photography Session
Updated: Nov 9
Some may wonder, what process does a professional product photographers takes to create commercial quality images that sells. Whether online or print advertising, when it comes to product photography, we want the best possible photos that will help sell our goods. In this blog, we will talk about the steps needed to produce commercial quality photographs.
Before looking at the process, we must first identify the use of the product photos that one sells. As a basis, we will use the product photography packages from this website to help narrow our choices.
Since there are so many different uses for a product photography image, we must first identify what platform the product image will be used on and the type of product photography image will be required. From online store website to an e-commerce website (e.g. Amazon, Ebay, Catch.com.au), from product catalogues to product brochures, from social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram) to print media (e.g. Magazine, Newspaper) and from store signage to billboards. Having identified where the images will be used, we now need to choose what type of product photography images will work for that platform. For example, Amazon requires product images to be captured on a pure white background, unless it is a Lifestyle Product Photography image. We can go on with more examples, but that's for another blog.
At the moment, Irierootsini Photography has three packages that will suit all your product photography requirements, the Basic Product Photography Package, the Deluxe Product Photography Package and the Premium Product Photography Package. If you are looking to display your goods at an online store website or an e-commerce website, our Basic Package will be the ideal choice. This may include individual shots, group shots, detailed shots, component shots, and even teaser shots. Now, for people that want to add Gif File Images on their website to make customer interaction more dynamic, you might want to consider our Deluxe Package. You can have your product spin 360 degrees or stop-motion animation and have your product move to show its functionality. Either way, that product will catch the attention of your customers as soon as they open that web page on your website. If you are still looking for another choice, our Premium Package, which is reserved for products that use product models and for lifestyle product photography photos, will fit the bill. This package requires more planning and conceptualisation, which will produce the perfect image/s required that can be used to advertise your product. If you have not done so, take a look at our product photography packages in more detail to know the inclusions.
Did you know that more and more online store businesses are uploading Gif Files on their websites in addition to their Jpeg product images? Since Gif Files are smaller in size than a video file (from 500kb to 4mb) and have more content value than a Jpeg File, no wonder more businesses are using Gif Files to market their products. Plus, it will continually play once seen on the website page is loaded. Below are Product Stop-Motion Animation and 180 to 360 Degree Photography Gif File samples.
Depending on your requirements, products can move in different ways.
Besides, from the product photography packages mentioned, a fairly new product photography service has emerged online and fascinated consumers. This website trend is called 360 degree product spin photography. This technological product photography marvel allows browsers to view what looks like a single image that is actually composed of many images. By a touch of a finger or by a click of a mouse, the product becomes interactive and allows the viewer to rotate the image from left to right or right to left in 360 degrees. Now have a spin on the image below!
Try moving the product from left to right or vice versa.
Now that you have identified the product photography service that you require, let us find out the procedure for high-quality commercial-grade product photos. Let’s look at the step-by-step process that a product photography studio takes to maintain and ensure the highest quality standards are taken to produce commercial quality images.
PREPARATIONS
Provide 3 pieces of each item if possible – This will ensure that the product shoot will run smoothly and to give the product photographer a choice on which item will produce the best product photography image, thus requiring at least 3 pieces of each product to be photographed.
Make sure items are clean - Before handing over your items to the studio, make sure it is cleaned properly. Even though your items are prepared by the product studio to ensure a dust-free image, it is the clients’ responsibility to provide a clean product to avoid additional charges.
STUDIO & PRODUCT STEP UP
Studio Lights – Different products requires specific lighting setup (e.g. lights position, lights power settings, number of lights needed)
Camera & Lens – As with lights, different products require a unique camera setting, camera angle, and the appropriate camera lens to match individual products.
Studio Settings – In addition to the lights and camera step up, the product photography studio will be prepared (e.g. backdrops, live view monitor, props, if needed)
Product Styling – To give the product image character, items are styled, like an artist making a composition to create a masterpiece. In this case, we are creating commercial quality photographs that catch peoples’ attention. This is usually required for Deluxe and Premium Package (e.g. group shots, teaser shots, product lifestyle, products with model)
POST PHOTOGRAPHY
Product Image Colour Correction – To achieve commercial quality, all images are checked for proper exposure and images are colour corrected to match the actual product sample.
Photos above shows colour correction of product label.
Product Image Retouching - Even though the items photographed have been cleaned for dust, the images are thoroughly checked one by one for dust & scratches to get that commercial quality image standard.
Images above shows before & after photos of product image dust & scratches removal.
Deep etching – Some prefer transparent backgrounds for their product images so that it can be readily available for background colour change with no hassle.
See how the featured product can easily change from various backgrounds.
Image Enhancement & Manipulation – Ideal for products that have imperfections (e.g. change of product logo, product labels dot gain)
Photos above are examples of image manipulation. (Photos on the left are images before Image Manipulation)
Photos above are examples of image enhancement. (Photos on the left are original product photography images before company logo were enhanced or changed)
Infographics – Adding information about the image/s is worth a thousand words (e.g. descriptions & dimensions, data, charts). In today's competitive online market, having more information is gold.
Above are infographics images used by clients for their Amazon page and online store websites.
From the information above, we now know what to except from a product photography session and the meticulous process in creating commercial quality images. So the next time you require product photography, you are now well equipped with the knowledge and understanding of the high-quality standards that product photography studios take to ensure commercial-grade quality photographs are produced to help sell your products!