Optimising Product Photography Techniques for eCommerce

When someone looks at a product online, the first thing they see isn't the description or the name. It's the photo. That one image can decide if they click or scroll past. Good product photography doesn't just help something look nice. It builds trust. If the photo is clear, well-lit, and shows off the item properly, it gives people confidence in what they’re buying. If it's blurry or looks like it was taken quickly, that trust disappears fast.

For online shops trying to keep customers interested and ready to buy, how a product is shown matters a lot. This becomes even more important towards the end of October, as people in Exeter begin shopping for gifts and seasonal items. Now’s a smart time to check your product images, tighten up your photography setup, and prepare for the holiday shopping rush.

Preparing For The Photo Shoot

Making great product photos doesn’t start when you press the shutter button. It begins with planning and getting organised. A smooth shoot depends on the prep work you put in ahead of time.

Start by deciding where you’ll do your shoot. If you’re working from home or a small workspace, pick an area with good natural light or where you can properly control the lighting. Use a plain backdrop like a white sheet or board to keep the focus on the product. Avoid messy surroundings or creased fabrics in the background, as they can distract the viewer.

Here’s a checklist to help get you started:

- Create a list of all products you’ll be shooting

- Clean each product thoroughly to avoid dust and marks showing up

- Decide if you’re going with a plain, lifestyle, or reflective setting

- Choose props that add interest but keep your product front and centre

- Fully charge batteries and clear your memory card beforehand

- Set up your tripod and test your space before you begin

The more prepared you are, the fewer delays or problems you’ll run into once the shoot starts. Keeping everything in order helps you get clear, repeatable results from one product to the next.

Lighting Techniques

Light is one of the most important parts of your photography setup. If the lighting is poor, even a great camera won’t save the photo. Aim for a balanced light that fits the mood of your brand and shows the product clearly.

If you’ve got access to natural light, make the most of it. It tends to produce softer shadows and more natural colours. Find a large window and shoot during late morning or midday when the light is even and bright.

If natural light isn’t an option, artificial lighting works well too. Softboxes are a helpful tool for this. They spread light evenly and reduce hard shadows. You can also use reflectors to bounce light onto the product and brighten up darker areas.

Say you’re photographing a range of autumn-themed candles. Use a softbox from one side and place a white foam board opposite it to reflect the light. This setup keeps any one side from being overly dark and shows off the warm tones of the candles.

To keep the lighting consistent between shots:

- Use the same lighting setup throughout your product range

- Keep an eye out for glare on reflective or glossy items

- Avoid mixing daylight with indoor bulbs to prevent strange colour changes

- Take a few test shots and adjust early rather than fixing it in editing

A properly lit product photo looks polished, sells the item better, and helps shoppers feel more confident with what they see.

Camera Settings And Equipment

Getting your equipment set up right is just as important as lighting. The good news is, whether you're using a DSLR or a smartphone, the right settings can greatly improve image quality.

Start with ISO. A lower ISO value, like 100 or 200, works best in good lighting and helps avoid grainy images. If your space isn't well lit, you might need to raise the ISO slightly, but don’t push it too high.

Next is aperture. This setting controls how much of the photo is in focus. A wider aperture (a smaller number like f/2.8) produces a blurry background and draws eyes straight to the product. A narrower aperture (a larger number like f/11) keeps the whole product sharp and clear. Use the style that best suits your item.

Shutter speed is about how long the camera takes to capture the image. A fast shutter freezes motion but needs more light. A slower shutter lets in more light but needs a tripod to avoid blur. Using a tripod is highly recommended, no matter your camera or phone brand. It helps keep things steady and sharp.

Equipment rundown:

- DSLR or mirrorless cameras work best, but phones can manage for small setups

- Use a lens that offers a natural perspective without too much distortion

- Always shoot on a tripod for consistency

A steady shot with the right camera settings sets a strong foundation for edits and will make your product look the way it should—clear, well-defined, and easy to trust.

Post-Processing And Editing

Even the best photos can benefit from a few simple edits. Post-processing helps perfect your images and keeps them consistent across your website. It’s not about making something look fake, but about making good photos look clean, sharp, and professional.

Start with the basics. Crop the photo so the product is centred or placed where you want the eye to go. Straighten any crooked lines in the frame. Adjust brightness, contrast, and colour levels if something feels a bit off. The goal is to make your colours accurate to real life, especially if buyers can’t see the item in person.

Use white balance correction to remove odd tints. Shoppers rely on your photo being true to the item’s actual shade, especially for items like clothing, paint, or decorated goods.

Choose editing software that matches your comfort level. For simple edits, entry-level tools with one-click options can work well. If you're comfortable with deeper editing, programs like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop offer better control.

Quick tips for editing:

- Avoid heavy filters that change the product’s appearance

- Keep your edits consistent across all product categories

- Use spot removal tools to clean up dust, scratches, or fabric fuzz

- Always save your final files in high resolution

A little time spent in editing can raise your photo quality and reflect better on your store as a whole.

Making Your Photos Stand Out

Once you have clean and polished photos, think about how to add some personality and variety. A sharp photo shows what the item looks like. A creative photo shows how someone might use it.

Angles matter. Don’t just take one shot straight-on. Try from the side, from above, or close up on a detail. This lets potential customers see the item from different perspectives and makes the product more engaging.

Lifestyle photos help shoppers imagine your product in their space. For example, a mug looks fine on a white background—but it looks far more inviting when shown full of coffee next to a newspaper and a fire. Context builds emotional connection, and that helps people decide to buy.

Stay true to your brand. Keep the tone and look of your photos aligned with the overall vibe of your website, packaging, and social content. A natural, warm tone might suit a handmade brand in Exeter, while a crisp, minimal style might match tech gear or office supplies.

Branding tips:

- Pick a consistent photo style for all categories

- Use the same background colours where possible

- Add a watermark or brand element that doesn’t distract

- Keep it subtle but keep it yours

The photos on your site make a lasting impression. Make sure they're sending the right message.

Capturing Your Product's Best Side

Good product images help turn visitors into buyers. From how you plan the shoot to how you light, shoot, edit, and brand your photos—each stage plays a role in how well your products perform online.

Putting in this effort helps customers feel confident about what they’re seeing. That trust can make all the difference, especially during the busy gift-buying weeks in Exeter each autumn. With your photos sorted and your setup refined, your shop is in a stronger place to stand out.

EvoMedia supports businesses at every stage of creating high-quality, on-brand content. If you want your product photography done right, we’re here to help.

Looking to elevate the visual appeal of your online store? See how our tailored approach to product photography for eCommerce can help your products stand out and tell a better story. EvoMedia brings your brand to life through clean, consistent visuals that attract clicks and drive more sales.