Product photography is a crucial aspect of e-commerce as it helps to showcase a product in the best possible light and entices potential customers to make a purchase. A well-designed product photo can make all the difference in whether a customer decides to click ‘add to cart’ or move on to the next product.
One question that is commonly asked by e-commerce businesses is, “How many photos should a product have?” This is an important question, as the number of photos can greatly impact a customer’s decision to purchase a product. As a new photographer, you might need some help with how many photos you should click for a product.
In this article, I tried to share my experience with product photography. I will explore the importance of product photography and the optimal number of photos a product should have to increase sales and customer satisfaction. So, how many photos should you include for each product?
Types of Photos Suggested
The types of photos suggested for a product shoot can vary. They will have a different number of photos. Generally, the number of photos you should include for each product is three. This typically includes one main photo that showcases the product from the front, a side view photo, and a back view photo. This gives customers a basic understanding of what the product looks like and how it is designed.
Front View Photo
The front view photo is the most essential product photo as it provides customers with a clear idea of what the product looks like. To take an excellent front-view photo, make sure the product is centered and in focus. Use a neutral background that doesn’t distract from the product, and make sure the lighting is even and doesn’t cast any shadows. You may want to take multiple shots from slightly different angles to ensure you get the best possible shot.
Portrait photography aims at capturing the personality, character, and emotions. It can either be candid or artistic. Portrait photography requires more than just the ability to understand your camera settings, lighting, and composition.
You must also possess the ability to connect with your subjects and capture their unique qualities. So, it is a difficult but rewarding genre of photography.
Click Below to read a comprehensive guide to learning and mastering the art of portrait photography.
Side View
The side view photo is also important as it provides customers with a different perspective on the product. To take a good side-view photo, position the product so that one side is facing the camera. Make sure the product is in focus and centered, and use the same neutral background and even lighting as for the front view photo. Again, you may want to take multiple shots from slightly different angles to ensure you get the best possible shot.
Back/top/bottom View If Required
Depending on the product, you may also want to take photos from the back, top, or bottom to showcase additional features. For example, if the product has a unique design or texture on the back or bottom, you may want to include a photo that shows this. To take these types of photos, position the product accordingly and take shots from different angles to showcase the features you want to highlight.
Lifestyle Shots
Lifestyle shots can be incredibly helpful for customers trying to envision a product in their own lives. These shots show a product in a real-life setting and can help customers understand how the product will fit into their own lives. For example, a piece of clothing could be shown on a model wearing it out on the town, or a piece of furniture could be shown in a room with another decor.
The number of photos needed for a product will vary depending on the type of product and the information that needs to be communicated to the customer. It’s important to consider the type of product, the different angles and features that need to be shown, and how the product will be used or look in different settings to create a comprehensive and informative product listing.
Photo With Dimension/Size
You can take photos of a product to show its dimensions. Each side of the product can have its own dimension, such as a table. It has different dimensions on the sides and a separate shot to display the height. You might have to capture about 3 or 4 shots of the same product in this way.
It is recommended to provide at least 3-5 images that show the product from different angles. This helps customers get a better understanding of the product’s size, shape, and features. Including photos from multiple angles can also be very helpful in product photography. For example, if you’re selling a product like a piece of jewelry, photos from the top, bottom, and side can help to give customers a more comprehensive view of the product.
The goal should be to showcase the product in a clear and detailed manner while also highlighting its unique selling points. In general, it’s better to have more photos than not enough, as this provides customers with a more comprehensive understanding of the product.
Small Lifestyle Video or A Video on a Turntable.
Since all the images recommended by top e-commerce websites are on white background, a small lifestyle video is recommended to give an idea to customers on how your product looks like in real life environment. Apart from this, a 5-10 second 360 view video can also be uploaded on the product page to give all angle views to the customer.
Recommended Number Of Photos
The industry standard for product photography typically ranges from 3-5 photos per product. These photos should provide a clear and detailed view of the product from various angles, including front, back, and side views. Additionally, close-up shots of any unique features or details of the product should be included.
Some products, such as jewelry or watches, may require more photos to fully showcase their intricate details and unique designs. For example, a piece of jewelry may require multiple close-up shots of its different stones, settings, and engravings. Watches may require photos of the watch’s face, band, and movement, as well as photos of the watch in different lighting conditions to show off its different features.
On the other hand, some products may require fewer photos due to their simple design and minimal features. For example, a simple t-shirt or pair of socks may only require a few photos to showcase the product’s color and design. In these cases, it may be sufficient to only include a front and back view of the product rather than multiple angles and close-up shots.
Factors To Consider When Determining The Number Of Photos
Following are some of the important factors that you must keep in mind when choosing how many photos you must have for a product.
Type Of Product Being Sold
The type of product being sold will play a big role in determining the number of photos needed. For example, a piece of clothing may only need 2-3 photos to show the front, back, and side views, whereas a piece of furniture may need multiple photos to show different angles and features.
Different Angles And Features
It’s important to show different angles and features of a product to give customers a complete understanding of the product. This can include close-up shots of specific details, such as buttons or zippers on clothing, or different angles of a piece of furniture to show different features, such as the shape of the legs or the design of the back.
Showing The Product In Use Or In Different Settings
Showing a product in use or in different settings can help customers envision how the product will look and function in their own lives. For example, a piece of furniture may look different in a home office setting compared to a living room setting.