5 STEPS FOR THE PERFECT PRODUCT PHOTO

By Michelle Flores

Anyone with a business knows that the photos for their products have to look perfect. In order for people to be interested in a product the advertising and promotion has to catch their eye. In today's social media world, everyone’s goal is to catch someone's attention  with the content being shared on their platforms. Today we’ll show you how to achieve the perfect photo to promote your product in just 5 steps. 
1. Select the item you want to photograph
​The first step is the easiest step of all. Start by picking out the product you wish to photograph. I chose these garnet drop earrings.

2. Find your background/set up
When looking for a good background for your shot,  keep in mind your brand aesthetic. You do not want the background to be distracting. You want the main subject and center of attention to be your product. You can also use props to help display the product or even models. A quick tip is to play with different backgrounds and props. By doing this you will have many options in your photo gallery to choose as “the one!”  You can make your own backdrop with two pieces of cardstock paper or with a rug, blanket  or pillow.

3. Grab your camera and start shooting
Now that you have your different backgrounds in mind, begin to take photos of your subject. Not only is it helpful to work with different backgrounds, but also test out different types of lighting. The best lighting is natural light. However artificial lighting always comes in handy, as long as you know how to work with it. Take as many photos as you can to get many options for your next step.

4. Editing time
Now it is time to edit the photos you have selected after the shoot. Not all photos require much editing, however there are many platforms that can be beneficial. On your phone there is the basic Instagram editing tools, which has filters and you can adjust things like the brightness of your photo, saturation, exposure, and shadows. There are also other editing apps you can use that have more options. PicsArt is great and it offers the cloning stamp. That allows you to get rid of certain things you don't want in your picture and helps with the background as well. Both editing options are free, with PicsArt allowing you to access more features at an additional cost. If you prefer to edit on the computer instead of your phone, there is Adobe Photoshop that lets you adjust the lighting, background, clone, erase and much more. This is the program professionals use, which is why it has a cost associated with it.

5. Ready to post
Your photos are now ready to post and be shared on your social media platforms. One thing to keep in mind when posting your photos on social media is to use hashtags and keywords. This will help people who are looking for the types of things  you are selling/promoting find you.

Getting the perfect photo is not difficult, all it takes is time and patience. There is no right or wrong. As long as it matches the aesthetic of the brand and the subject is obvious, the photo will turn out just right. Now it is time to get your product shared and selling.