Although professional product photographers have been in high demand for decades, the field is now more important than ever. In a fast-paced world filled with constant advertisements, consumers respond to images before text. Excellent product photography in today’s marketplace is essential to marketing success. These are just a few of the many best practices used by professional product photographers to get your message across!

Extravagant textures and grand textiles

In product photography, the surfaces used make a major difference. It is important to choose the right colours and textures to highlight the appeal of the product. The setting of the products in a photograph can make them look cheap or luxurious. Marble, brass and even gold are some of the most popular choices, especially in food and drink photography.

The dinner party

Although recent trends have increased the effectiveness of large rustic tables and cosy settings, there has and always will be value in portraying home and family values. Furniture, cutlery, candles, dishes, glasses, wine, food and many other products can benefit from the use of a big farm table by the fireplace. In fact, these kinds of settings may be the most effective for creating an instant connection between the consumer and the product.

Neutral and Natural

One of the biggest mistakes product photographers make involves the forcing of bright colours into an image. Colourful photos have their time and place, but in many cases, a classic neutral look is the best choice. Technological advancements now allow photographers to master the use of white backdrops and natural light. Grey and shades of brown can give products an amazingly professional, classy and timeless appeal.

The Magic of the Moment

Sometimes, there is nothing a professional photographer can do to match the magic of a perfect moment. Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in spontaneous images that were taken in that perfect second of time. Since it can be almost impossible to create this perfect moment in the studio, many product photographers are taking to the unpredictable outside world. Most photographers look for authentic opportunities to capture the moment, but many also use strategies to make staged images look more spontaneous.

The Perfection of Digital 3D

Although photographers had no choice but to use real environments and backdrops in the past, the eye-popping advancements in 3D rendering technology have created new opportunities for innovative product photographers. Now that consumers cannot tell the difference between a real setting and a digital setting, great product photographers can leverage the adaptability of digital backdrops without sacrificing a professional look.

Product photography is an increasingly evolving field. Photographers in this field must keep up-to-date with constant technological advancements, trends and innovative approaches, while staying true to their own creative style. They use countless tools, practices and skills to make their work look professional, but must also add something unique to make a client’s product stand out among the competition. Although product photography may seem simple at first glance, the process of capturing the perfect image is unimaginably complex!