5 Ways You’ll Use Professional Product Shots
If you sell a product of any kind--apparel, jewelry, dishes, games, cards, paintings, toys, shoes, books, mascara, whatever--having professional product photos taken is a must-do. A professional photographer can set you up with all the product shots you need. If you're on a budget, look for a freelance photographer--they usually charge a lower hourly rate and sometimes have a more flexible schedule. You'll want to have high resolution photos taken so you can use the photos both in print and online. High resolution photos can be decreased in size for online use--but low resolution photos cannot be increased in size for print. Once you have the photos, here are just 5 of the ways you can use them:
1. On Your Website
Use product photos on your home page, your product information page and on your purchase page.
2. Press
Put a few of the photos in both your online & print media kit to make it easy for editors to grab images for use in magazine, newspaper and Internet articles. Some print media kits even include high & low resolution images on a CD!
3. Advertising
Have a graphic designer use the images to create print and web ads, banners and buttons, in an array of sizes & layouts. Having ads ready will give you the chance to take advantage of last minute advertising deals.
4. Marketing
You;ll also use your product shots on business cards, brochures, store displays, tradeshow posters and sale flyers.
5. Packaging
Place photos on your product packaging, inserts, hangtags, boxes, labels and instructions. Product shots are especially helpful to explain how to use or assemble your product. I had about 75 Swaddleaze photos taken of my niece Maeve wearing it with the wing open, swaddled and wrapped as a sleep sack. I ended up using about five of the images for all of my needs (ads, packaging, media kit, website, marketing) and found a fabulous freelance graphic designer who created the most amazing work for me. If you're a product mom, I strongly urge you to have professional product shots taken. You've undoubtedly spent countless hours and dollars developing your product and professional photos will show your product in the best light possible, the way it deserves to be shown.