Ecommerce Photography

Nordlight Team
Black and white image of a DSLR camera capturing people in focus, showcasing photography professionalism.
Black and white image of a DSLR camera capturing people in focus, showcasing photography professionalism.

Your product photos can make or break your online business. When customers can't touch or hold items before buying, images become their only way to understand what they're getting. Good ecommerce photography doesn't just show products—it builds trust and drives sales.

TL;DR

  • 75% of online shoppers rely on product photos to make purchasing decisions
  • High-quality images can increase conversion rates by 94% compared to low-quality photos
  • Poor product photos cause 22% of returns because items look different than expected
  • Multiple angles, close-ups, and product variations are essential for comprehensive coverage
  • Clean backgrounds, proper lighting, and consistent style create professional results
  • You can achieve great results at home with basic equipment and natural light

Why Product Photos Drive Sales

Numbers tell the story clearly. About 75% of online shoppers depend on product photos when deciding what to buy. That makes sense—without being able to pick up and examine items, customers need detailed visual information.

Quality makes a huge difference too. High-quality product photos lead to 94% higher conversion rates compared to poor images. And 60% of online consumers say photo quality is the most important factor in their purchase decisions.

Poor photography hurts your bottom line. When product photos don't accurately show items, 22% of returns happen because customers receive something that looks different than expected. That's costly for everyone involved.

Essential Photography Techniques

Multiple angles give customers confidence. Show your products from the front, sides, top-down view, and close-ups of important features. This helps create a complete mental picture, similar to examining items in a physical store.

Lighting makes everything look better. Natural light can work well for certain types of photography and costs nothing. If you're shooting indoors, position products near a window and use side lighting for flattering results. Avoid harsh shadows by using reflectors or white foam boards.

Clean backgrounds keep focus on your products. White backgrounds are the standard for most ecommerce sites because they're clean and professional. For lifestyle shots, choose simple settings that complement but don't compete with your products.

Pro Tips for Better Product Shots

A tripod solves many problems. It keeps images sharp and consistent, especially important when shooting multiple products that need the same framing. Low ISO settings around 100 work well for studio conditions, while an f-stop of 8 or higher keeps everything in focus.

Photograph every product variation—different colors, sizes, and styles. Customers want to see exactly what they'll receive, not guess based on one generic image.

Sort products before shooting. Group similar items together to save time adjusting lighting, camera height, and lens settings. This simple prep step can cut hours from longer photo sessions.

6 Pro Tips to SUCCEED in Ecommerce Product Photography

Common Photography Styles That Work

Different approaches serve different purposes. Traditional white background shots work for most products and create consistency across your catalog. Lifestyle photography shows products in use, helping customers imagine owning them.

Model photography dominates fashion ecommerce—95.6% of brands use it. Flat-lay styling works well for smaller items, while ghost mannequins show clothing shape without distracting from the garment itself.

Close-up detail shots matter more than you might think. They let customers examine textures, stitching, materials, and craftsmanship. Enable zoom functionality on your website so shoppers can inspect these details closely.

DIY vs Professional Photography

You can create professional-looking photos at home. Modern smartphones produce surprisingly good results when you understand basic lighting and composition. Essential gear includes a camera (phone works), tripod, clean white backgrounds, and good lighting.

Start with natural light from a large window. Add white foam boards or reflectors to fill shadows. A simple table setup with white paper or fabric creates clean backgrounds for most products.

Professional photographers bring expertise and advanced equipment, but they're not always necessary. Start with DIY methods and upgrade to professional services as your business grows and budget allows.

FAQ

What equipment do I need to start ecommerce photography? Basic setup includes a camera (smartphone works), tripod, white backgrounds, natural light source, and white foam boards for reflectors. You can achieve professional results with this simple kit.

Should all product photos have white backgrounds? White backgrounds work well for most ecommerce sites because they're clean and consistent. But lifestyle photos showing products in context can also be valuable for helping customers visualize use.

How many photos should I include per product? Show multiple angles including front, back, sides, and close-ups of key features. Include photos of every color and size variation. Most successful sites use at least 3-5 high-quality images per product, with complex products often requiring more.

Can I edit photos myself or should I hire professionals? Basic editing like adjusting brightness, contrast, and cropping can be done with free tools like Canva or smartphone apps. For advanced retouching, consider professional services.

How do I ensure color accuracy in my photos? Set your camera's white balance correctly and shoot in consistent lighting. Avoid mixing natural and artificial light sources, which can create color casts.

What's the biggest mistake in ecommerce photography? Not showing enough detail or angles. Customers want to see products thoroughly before buying. Skimp on photos and you'll see higher return rates and lower conversion rates.