Ecommerce Product Photography: Types & Best Practices

Product photography can make or break an ecommerce business, and here’s why:

1. The importance of first impressions

Many of us grew up learning that first impressions are essential, whether we’re going on a first date or attending a job interview. Indeed, first impressions are so incredibly important because they last well beyond that initial moment. 

If you experience a sequence of events, experiences, or images, you’ll probably remember the first ones best. In fact, there’s a name for this: it’s called the “primary effect.”

2. Positive momentum

A fantastic image can not only make a lasting first impression but can also give you positive momentum. 

Your potential customer, impressed by the first image(s) they see, is encouraged to browse more pages on your website. If all your product images are of equally high quality, then the second and third impressions will be just as strong as the initial ones. 

Many ecommerce stores have only one shot at capturing business from a first-time browser. Still, if they can generate positive momentum, they’ll have a much better chance of converting that browser into a customer. 

3. It’s all about the visuals

Most of us want to see a product before we consider buying it—that means we eye people’s plates at a restaurant to see how tasty and big their meals look, and peer into shop windows to check out the latest fashion designs. And it’s certainly no different with online shopping. 

According to statistics, many consumers consider visual content to be the key deciding factor in their purchase decisions.

4. Selling the reality

We live in a world where much of what we see or hear is manipulated, unreliable, or fake. 

When it comes to online stores, customers want a clear, accurate image of what they will receive. We want to be sold the reality. And we definitely don’t want any unpleasant surprises when we open a package!

If your customer buys a product based on one of your product photos and what they unpack is exactly what they saw online, they’ll not only be satisfied, but they’ll also trust you. 

5. Professional product photography says you’re professional

It’s a simple fact that professional photography leads to the impression that something is more professional. 

A simple example is sports photography. Think of how professional a professional sports image of a professional sports match looks! Then compare it to an image a fan in the stadium might take: there’s no comparison! 

The same thing applies to the images your ecommerce brand uses to sell its products: the more professional your product photos are, taken with the right photography camera, the more professional your business appears to the outside world.

6. Who are you?

Is your business formal and corporate? Fun and quirky? The images you use help define who you are and craft your brand identity. 

When choosing images, keep your brand’s look and feel in mind—you want your photos to contribute to a cohesive overall experience.

7. Getting to know you

While your images help you create a brand identity, they also enable others to get to know the real you. 

It’s mindboggling that many corporate businesses still use boring stock images on their websites and marketing. What does this say about who they really are? Nothing? 

Even worse, it might suggest that they lack personality and are unable to use more genuine images. This is not the message any business wants to send!

Remember, in today’s online landscape, customers want to connect with brands on a deep level, not just buy from them.

8. Authenticity

In a world often dominated by homogeneity, people (and brands) who are authentic stand out from the crowd. The product photos you use can help define this authenticity! 

For example, get creative with photos and designs for all-over-print products that are different and show your level of authenticity, pushing your branding to the next level. 

9. Engagement that sells

Any ecommerce business that engages its social media community again and again is likely to get ahead of the competition. 

Excellent, eye-catching imagery leads to likes and shares. Shared content, in turn, leads to a larger following, more traffic to your store, brand building, and—ultimately—increased sales.