Usually, when it goes about the creation of cool product photography, the first considerations that come to mind are related to technology and the image-taking process. Ideas of unconventional photo sessions and visual tricks are often regarded as lateral, pertaining more to art than to business pages. However, the most successful photoshoots featured in famous magazines and on billboards across the globe usually defy expectations. They don’t fit into the regular patterns of proper lighting, positioning, or detailing and capture the imagination by this very ‘wrongness’ or weirdness of presentation.
That’s why we want to challenge you to think out of the box while styling and conducting your product photography session. By now, you most probably know about the light, white background and color fixing. If you’re not sure if your camera is up to scratch, you can research and compare camera specs to make sure. For most beginners, your smartphone will do just fine. It’s time to get creatively wild.
Think unconventionally: Shoot products in some weird and unexpected use/combination. Let’s consider an example: shoes belong to the wardrobe and floor, food belongs to the kitchen and plates. But what if you can mix them together? Imagine serving shiny red stiletto heels on a white china plate, red grapes, or strawberries adorning a sharp heel like some fruity skewer. Wild, unexpected, and daring, but also memorable and visually stunning. Minimum of distracting details, clean colors, and unrestrained fantasy – viewers are bound to stop scrolling and explore more of the item images.
That’s just one example of how you can play with objects. Look around and think about how you can pair with each other or how you can invert the use of the object. Jewelry mixed with fruit, shoes carried in hands or hung around the neck by shoestrings, perfumes generously splashed on the table, fine cutlery added to some rustic meal made on an open fire – possibilities are endless. The key is to place the main focus on the item you offer, and the rest is your creativity.
Hanging or suspending in the air. It works well for a product that is not expected to be used that way. From shoes to food to utilitarian items, something that balances in the air or defies the gravitation is bound to attract attention. You may remove in Photoshop or leave the suspending strings in the picture, depending on the context.
Taking pictures from unusual angles. Yes, the product photography is expected to provide an accurate view of an item, but as an attention catcher, an upside-down or toppled view can work miracles. Take, say, a ‘careless’ image of the wristwatch laying on its side next to some props, as if dropped by a proud owner. Then add shots made from proper angles to highlight details and craftsmanship.
Going macro. A big zoom-in photo can also play a useful trick. Pick the most interesting detail of your product, make a big shot of it, and use it as a teaser inviting customers to see more.
Don’t skip photo manipulation. Sometimes, creating the desired settings is impossible for many reasons, and that’s when solid Photoshop skills come into play. Don’t interfere with the product itself, just add the props you need for your composition.
Play with the background – make it hi-res, make it unusual, place the product in the background and blur the foreground. Yes, sometimes background matters. It can underscore how the product is used, put it into daily context or just make look neat. Definitely, the background needs to be minimalistic and neat as well.
Pick the supports or stands that underscore the purpose or character of the item you shoot. A neutral box or a stand is fine, but try to be more creative. For eyewear, use books or a notepad as a stand, for footwear use a shoebox or a piece of a wooden block. Such small details bring life into the picture and make your product stand out.
Make it personal, add people. If possible, involve models on the set. Some products are best demonstrated in wear or in use, and real people taking real actions with this product are the best way to achieve it. Besides, it’s sheer psychology: if someone owns it, we want it, too.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and think out of the box. That’s the key. We have provided just a few examples of how you can get creative and make amazing product images that work to the benefit of your sales. But it’s up to you to decide what you want to say with your product and how to convey it visually. The solution is out there, just grab it.
If you are in search of a studio that has all the expertise and tools needed to produce excellent images, you can book a shoot with Pro Photo Studio.
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