Snapping good-looking photos can be a fun and creative way to show off your products. Here are seven easy photography tips which enhance what you shoot, along with examples from our very own Inspiration Board.

  1. Lighting – Before you shoot, take a moment to check where the light is coming from. Is there natural sunlight, or is it an artificial source like a lamp? Avoid using harsh light that will alter the item’s appearance. Once you’ve found flattering light, utilize it to your advantage to help your subject best interact with the scene.
  2. Simple Background – A good background should not be distracting. The object shouldn’t be competing with the background. Leave the busy background behind, and stick to neutrals. Neutrals can be great as they deliver consistency for product shots, and can help you create a cohesive collection of shots. Unless the background is a key component of the photo, choose a neutral background to help draw attention to the subject.
  3. Shadows – Does the lighting cast an interesting shadow in your picture? Shooting your subject from different angles will help you see the same product but from various perspectives. Changing your position relative to the light or turning different lights on and off can you help you find where the shadows are formed and bring out an interesting aspect to the photo.
  4. Perspective – What are you trying to display in your photo? Highlight any details you’d like to stand out, especially if it’s a unique feature that deserves to get attention. Feel free to move around and show the photos from the front, back, or any other angle to maximize perspective.
  5. Style – Creating your own style can be like creating your own brand. Styling with props can be a fantastic way to create depth, warmth, and an inviting scene. Consider the subject’s shape, size, and color before choosing props to complement your item.
  6. Personality – Photos have the potential to have personality, too. Whether you’re taking portraits, landscapes or close-ups of objects, each photo should tell a story. Give your picture a personality by visualizing how you’d like it to be portrayed to your audience. Pro tip: using emotions through people or even colors is an easy way to achieve this.
  7. In Situ – In Situ photography translates to phrases like “on-site”, “in place” or “in situation.” However you call it, incorporating in situs means you’re using contextual clues to give more depth to the photo. These types of photos are a creative way to connect with your audience by showing them a moment in life and giving them a deeper perspective of what the picture is trying to portray. This could be as simple as including other objects as a comparison to help tell the story.

There’s a lot to go into taking a great photo, and we hope you’ll remember these tips and our photo examples the next time you go shoot! Have Instagram? Make sure to tag @Zazzle in your artwork to be considered for a Zazzle Inspiration page feature. Happy snapping!