3355. Photography Tips - How to succeed in product photos

Jul 15, 2019

DIgital photography
www.digitalcameraworld.com 

Issue 209

Intense competition

Technical challenges to shoot images that are useful to a wide range of clients.

Create unique and desirable images on a viable profit margin. 


Considerations for successful and commercially appealing product photography


1. Composition. Vital to frame your shots so that users can adapt the product itself to fit their current project. Plenty of space for copy or enough of the frame to composite on extra elements --- highest no. of sales. 

Tightly cropped images are context specific - less adaptable for widespread commercial application.

2. Unique challenge is the quality and shape of reflections.  Suppress or enhance the reflective surfaces. 

If you are commissioned for a pre-specific purpose, then maintain context should always be your priority. 


3. Matching style to end-use will generate repeat custom since you minimise work on the customer's part. Should be your priority.


4. Ability to work with multiple backgrounds - mostly black and white seamless backdrops. Often overlooked. Making shots on both is a good insurance for meeting a client’s brief, but also style lighting so that backgrounds can be swapped later. 


5. Physical insurance if you shoot in your studio. Who is liable if damage or loss occur? Business policy covers the type and cost of the items in yr care during the shot. 


6. Think whether the product can use your space, equipment and time. Ensure cost of execution should not outweigh the potential income generated. Becoming overly ambitious may not make you successful.


FILE TREATMENT. 
Consider how you would like your cients to receive image files.

Provide a layered Photoshop file - standout appeal and can demand a higher price. Make a flatted JPEG or TIFF file and offer a more expensive PSD. 


REMEMBER RESOLUTION
Image files must meet the standards required by your client. However, more pixels are not always better. 


Product photography is about detail. Enough resolution. Not all users want large files. Offer multiple file versions align with client's practices. 



Pro case study
Professional product photography specialist
Mark Colliton

https://www.markcolliton.com/blog

1.  Common challenges with meeting a client brief:


Initial enquiries and briefs  can be vague in product details and should list. Request full details plus reference imagery and mood boards for creative direction is advisable.  You can then provide an accurate estimate, turnaround time and agree payment terms.


Ensure client understands post-production and retouch require both time and added expenses. 


2. How to remain competitive?


Be good and be seen. Get experience, find your niche and work at it. An attractive and easy-to-use website with good SEO is essential to showcase your work and encourage prospects to get in touch. Negotiate contracts by photographic agents in the higher end of industry.


Stay motivated to perform at your best. Take time out to experiment with different styles and techniques occasionally will do you good. 


TOP TIPS

1. A standout website to reflect your ability, showcase what market you are in for getting jobs


2. Location is important. Proximity to a large city. Enough business types


3.  A stylish studio. Share a studio, rent one.  your own.


4. Keep the client in mind. Be easy to work with. It's about the client, not you. So keep a broader view of where they're coming from.  Have patience on set - keep calm even when lighting is proving tricky.