Product photography on a small budget

The photo is the first salesperson in fashion, because the customer cannot touch the piece. You do not need a studio to get photos that convince. You need good light, a simple background and a consistent style.

Light and background

• Light: A large window with indirect daylight, the piece beside it. Avoid flash.
• Background: A wall, a cloth or paper in a neutral colour. Choose one background and keep it.
• Consistency: Fix the phone on a stand and use the same distance and angle for every piece.

Six shots for every piece

1. Full front.
2. Back.
3. Side.
4. A close detail: collar, seam or button.
5. A close look at the fabric so the weave and colour show.
6. The piece on a real body, stating the height and the size worn.

Common mistakes

• Editing colours until they differ from reality, which raises returns.
• Different lighting from one photo to the next on the same page.
• No photo that shows the real size.

Exercise

Photograph one piece with the six shots, then compare it with the photos of a competitor you respect. Write three points to improve on the next round. Use the shot list and product page template.