Product photos are an essential part of your ecommerce business; however, obtaining higher quality images can be costly. Some business owners choose to hire a professional photographer to take care of it for them; others choose to save money by taking product photos themselves.
Wondering which product photography option would be best for your ecommerce business? We’ve analyzed the pros and cons of each and detailed what you should look for if you decide to hire a professional. Read on for more information.
Hiring a Photographer or Taking Your Own Photos: Pros and Cons
There’s no shortage of talented photographers, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding someone talented enough to take on this responsibility. Here are some things to consider when considering hiring one for your product photography:
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Product Photographer
- You won’t have to pay for an expensive, high-quality camera and photoshoot equipment.
- You won’t have to spend time learning photography skills and best practices.
- You won’t have to spend hours photographing your products and can instead focus on other aspects of your business.
Disadvantages of Hiring a Professional Product Photographer
- You may not get exactly what you want
- The cost of a professional photographer can be high
- Depending on your photographer, you may not own the rights to your product images
Taking your own product photos, however, can provide the same high-quality product image enhancement as hiring a professional; However, this DIY option has its own drawbacks. Here are some things to consider when considering becoming your own product photographer:
Benefits of handling product photography yourself
- You know your products better than anyone and will know exactly what to highlight in your photos
- There will be no exchange between you and any third party
- You have complete control over the branding and aesthetic of your product photos.
- You will own all rights to the photos of your products
Disadvantages of handling product photography yourself
- You will spend a lot of time learning the craft of photography and photo editing
- You will need to spend time practicing your photography skills before doing your own photo shoots.
- You may need to purchase a high-quality camera and photo equipment, such as a tripod, lighting, and different camera lenses.
- If you don’t invest the necessary time and resources, you may end up with product photos that don’t look professional.
Only you know what’s best – or most feasible – for your business, so make that the biggest factor in your decision.
DIY Product Photography Considerations
So you’ve decided to take your own product photos: great! There are tons of helpful guides online that will help you get started. If you’re thinking about splurging on a high-tech camera, check out this article for general DIY photography best practices. If you’re considering using a smartphone to get the job done, check out our other articles on setting up your photo shoot space, basic editing techniques, and how to take product photos with your smartphone.
Considerations for Hiring a Professional Product Photographer
So you’ve decided to hire a professional photographer for your product photos, that’s also great! A professional should be able to provide you with the images you need without requiring you to learn new skills. Keep these important factors in mind when choosing which product photographer to hire for your ecommerce site.
Don’t just hire someone with a good camera.
It can be tempting to ask a friend with a nice camera and a photography hobby to take your photos for you. This can be practical and cost-effective; However, you’ll miss out on the experience of someone who has worked on and perfected the specific type of photography you’re looking for, someone who has gained in-depth knowledge of the types of shots businesses typically value. Once you find a professional photographer, you’ll want to review their portfolio to make sure they take good photos and have experience taking product photos specifically.
Determine photo rights upfront.
As we mentioned earlier, some photographers retain the rights to the photos they take. Consider whether this is right for you or whether you would prefer your business to retain these rights. Discuss this with the photographer before you start working with them to make sure you are both on the same page and won’t have any conflicts later.
Calculate the expected cost per photo for the photographer you choose.
It’s important to know before the fact how many photos you can expect to get during a session with the photographer you hire. Let them know how many finished photos you want to have and ask if they have a set pricing tier that includes that number. You can calculate their image cost by dividing their daily or hourly rate by the number of photos they can guarantee.
Ask about photo editing skills and if they are included.
Not all photos come out perfectly as they were taken, and almost all photos could benefit from a little editing. Find out up front whether your product photos will be retouched by your photographer, as well as whether retouching is included in the listed price or offered at an additional cost.
Determine the turnaround time.
Your photographer should be able to tell you how quickly they can get the finished images to you after shooting. This is especially important if you have a product launch day planned, as you need to make sure you have time to receive the photos and upload them to the right places beforehand.
Look for a responsive photographer.
When you’re working on a project like this, you want a photographer who is a true professional, someone who responds to your calls and emails quickly so you’re not waiting for days when you need to pose a photo. question or make an appointment. If a potential photographer doesn’t get back to you promptly, take it as a warning sign and go to someone who will.
In conclusion
For most businesses, product images are one of the most important aspects that determine whether or not a buyer converts. For this reason, it is essential to ensure that you are able to get the best product photos for your business.