Did you know that by the year 2021, worldwide eCommerce sales are expected to reach $4.9 trillion?
The recent growth of the eCommerce industry presents an incredible opportunity to make great money selling products online. There are many things to consider when creating your eCommerce store and marketing your products but there is one thing in particular that you absolutely have to nail.
That’s right, eCommerce photos are the single best way to market your brand and encourage visitors to buy your products.
Online shopping differs from regular shopping in that customers can’t physically view or touch your products. This means that high quality, creative product photos are absolutely crucial for enticing customers and increasing conversions.
In order to ensure top quality product photos, you have to know how to choose an eCommerce photographer. Here are 11 tips for finding the perfect product photographer for your eCommerce shop.
1. Do Your Research
Your eCommerce product photos are the face of your brand and they need to reflect not only the quality of the product itself but your entire business. Due to the importance of getting this right, you shouldn’t rush when choosing an eCommerce photographer.
Since it’s relatively easy to pick up a digital camera and start snapping, there are some photographers out there that aren’t quite up to par. Ensure you do adequate research into different firms to make sure they can provide the quality shots that your business deserves.
Do they provide the kinds of photos you need? Are they experienced in eCommerce photography? These are the types of questions you should be asking while conducting your research. Your ideal photographer will be able to deliver quality shots on a consistent basis.
2. Look for Photographers That Fit Your Budget
Before you can start looking for the perfect product photographer, it’s a good idea to first decide on a budget. There’s no point in spending lots of time researching eCommerce photographers that are outside of what you can afford.
It’s for this reason that you need to set a realistic budget.
Once you have a concrete price range in mind, you can filter out photographers that are outside of that range. Check their company websites for a pricing section, or simply give them a call to discuss what you can expect to pay.
3. Check the Company’s Social Media
Seeing as photography is a creative and artistic discipline, most photography companies have active social media accounts where they showcase their work and creativity.
To understand whether or not a photography company is a good fit for your brand, you need to get an idea of who they are, how they operate, and the quality of their work. Visiting the company’s social media is a quick and easy way to do this.
Check the company’s Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media accounts and look to see if they have been updated recently. The engagement on their posts and overall follower count will give you an idea of whether they have a raving customer base or not.
4. Read Their Blogs
When researching different eCommerce photographers, you want to get a sense of their knowledge and expertise in the area. Reading the company’s blog is a great way to do this.
Their blog may even have case histories and stories about other brands that they have worked with and the product photography process. This can help you get an idea of how the company operates and the kind of results they usually deliver.
Reading the company’s blog is also a great way to familiarize yourself with common industry terminology. This will allow for clearer and more effective communication when and if you decide to contact them.
5. Check Out Their Customer Testimonials and Reviews
Most companies offering a paid service will have testimonials and customer reviews on their website. When looking for eCommerce photographers, check these out to get an idea of what past clients have said about their work.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the company isn’t going to show negative reviews on their website. For this reason, you should also search for the company on websites like Trustpilot and see what people have to say about them and their work.
Check the star rating of the company and be sure to read a few of the reviews in detail. If the company has a high star rating and all positive reviews, you can be sure they do quality work.
6. Ask to See Their Portfolio
Before requesting the services of a professional photography firm, you should check their previous work and get an idea of the quality they can provide.
If they can’t provide you with a portfolio at all, then you shouldn’t consider hiring them. But most photography companies will be more than happy to show you their previous work, so don’t be afraid to ask.
You may want to request to see their eCommerce photos specifically to see what experience they have shooting product shots for other brands. Make sure the photographer has experience taking the kind of photos that you want (for example, lifestyle photos).
7. Check to See if They Have a Creative Edge
When taking eCommerce photos, creativity is key. Online shopping is a huge industry and no matter what you’re in the market for, there are so many brands out there to choose from.
Because of this, you have to find a way to differentiate your brand from your competitors, and having creative eCommerce product photos is a great way to do this. When you’re looking through the portfolios of prospective photographers, keep an eye out for extra creative shots and photos that stand out.
Hiring a photographer with a creative flair will help to highlight your brand and allow your products to stand out from the competition.
8. Schedule a Call to Discuss Your Project
By this stage, you should have narrowed down your choice to a few prospective companies. Scheduling a call to discuss your brand and your products will allow you to see whether they’re a good fit.
Good communication on both sides is crucial for getting exactly what you want. Make sure they are easy to talk to and understand exactly what it is you need. Talking to them directly helps you get an idea of how they conduct shoots and deliver their services.
If you find that they don’t really understand your requirements or can’t describe their processes with ease, then it’s time to consider other options.
9. Schedule an in-Person Meeting at Their Headquarters
After you’ve found a photographer and chatted with them on the phone, it’s always a good idea to go and meet them in person.
This allows you to get an idea of where they work, what tools they use, and how they interact with clients. Seeing the company’s workspace is a great way to learn about their culture and how they operate. This can help you decide whether or not they’re a good fit for your business.
Furthermore, it’s always good to verify that the company has a physical presence somewhere. Otherwise, you always run the risk of them disappearing into the night without delivering on your project.
10. Subscribe to Their Newsletter
Subscribing to a company’s email list is a great way to keep up to date with what they’re doing and the work they’re putting out.
Seeing the photographer’s latest work might inspire you to contact them about a new project. Also, subscribing to their newsletter allows you to take advantage of any discounts and/or special deals that they put out.
This also gives you an opportunity to learn more about the company and build a better relationship with them going forward. Having a good relationship with your photographer is important as it guarantees consistently good work.
11. Ask for a Test Shot
Free test shots aren’t offered by all professional photography companies but it’s worth asking about anyway. A free test shot allows you to preview their work before investing money in their services.
A free test shot allows you to see whether they are able to nail your brief and take top-quality photos of your products. Don’t discount a photography company that doesn’t offer this, but definitely take advantage of this service if they do.
Get High-Quality eCommerce Photos
If you follow these 11 tips, you’ll be sure to find the perfect product photographer to take top-notch eCommerce photos for your brand.
We are specialists in product photography and eCommerce photos and we have worked with a variety of eCommerce businesses on different projects and briefs. We strive to please our clients with top-quality work that adds tremendous value to their business. Most of all, we absolutely love what we do!
if you’re looking to increase your online conversion but still feel you are not sure where to start – check out these resources below:
