Top 10 common product photography mistakes

Did you check all the boxes on the worksheet for your product photography project? In most cases, product photography requires a high level of attention to detail. Even if you’ve done everything as planned, you’ll…

Top 10 common product photography mistakesTop 10 common product photography mistakes
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Did you check all the boxes on the worksheet for your product photography project? In most cases, product photography requires a high level of attention to detail. Even if you’ve done everything as planned, you’ll have to wait to see if you’ve done the job right. The best indicators of this are customer engagement and, more importantly, sales.

Good product photographers consider a project successful when they have completed the actual shoot. Great product photographers, on the other hand, don’t consider a shoot successful until they see the results – and that’s precisely what you should do.

Want to make sure your images not only look appealing, but also bring in sales? Great! This article will help you avoid the most common mistakes in product photography and give you the tips and tricks you need – so let’s dive in together!

Habits to avoid that lead to product photography mistakes

Stuning photography shot
Habits to avoid that lead to product photography mistakes

As a product photographer, it’s important to have an eye for detail and be familiar with the ins and outs of photography. However, even experienced photographers can make mistakes that can affect the quality of the finished product photos. In most cases, these product photography mistakes are due to everyday habits that we overlook. Here are some habits you should avoid as they lead to product photography mistakes.

First, a cluttered background can distract attention from the product you’re trying to showcase. Always make sure that your background is clean and simple so that your product stands out. Moreover, if you don’t take enough photos or take too many, you may make mistakes in your final selection. While it’s good practice to take multiple shots of products from different angles, if you overdo it, you can feel overwhelmed when selecting and editing the final images.

Product photography can make or break a sale, and it’s important to get it right. In the next section, we’ll explore some common habits that can lead to product photography mistakes.

1. Crowded images

Crowded images can be the result of various product photography errors, such as using the wrong lens, insufficient lighting, or poor composition. One of the most common mistakes that lead to crowded images is the use of a wide-angle lens.

While wide-angle lenses are great for capturing more space in the image, they tend to distort perspective and make objects appear closer than they actually are. The result is a tight image in which products look crowded together. To avoid this mistake, use a longer focal length lens that compresses the perspective and allows you to capture each product individually.

2. Choosing inaccurate backdrops

The right background can make all the difference in how your product looks on your website or social media channels. However, choosing the wrong background can result in a poor representation of your product and ultimately hurt sales – so let us discuss some mistakes to avoid when choosing backgrounds for product photography.

  • The first mistake many companies make isn’t considering the color and texture of their products when picking a background. If your product has intricate details and textures, it’s important to select a plain background that won’t distract from these features.
  • Similarly, if you have bright colors in your product, selecting a neutral backdrop will help them stand out more effectively.

3. Poor product preparation

Product photography mistakes
Poor product preparation

To get professional-looking product images, you must first pay attention to the product. Dust, fingerprints, and other imperfections can diminish the confidence you need to build with your viewers.

Clean your product thoroughly first before taking a picture. This will ensure that there are no smudges on the product that could distract from its appearance. Furthermore, use props or backgrounds that complement your products without cluttering them. Remember that simple backgrounds are best for most products, as they allow you to focus on the item being sold.

4. Emphasizing the wrong features

Presenting the right features of your product is an influential factor in increasing sales. However, emphasizing the wrong features can be equally detrimental. To avoid product photography mistakes that could hurt your business, keep a few things in mind.

First, it is important to understand your target audience and what they are looking for in a product. By taking the time to understand what your customers value most in your products, you can ensure that your photos match their expectations.

Another common mistake in product photography is complicating the image with too many elements or distracting backgrounds. Keep it simple by using plain backgrounds and focusing on one or two main features of the product. This way, you’ll give your viewers an accurate picture of your product’s best features.

5. Paying no mind to composition

Your images are only as good as the composition techniques you use. However, many companies still make mistakes in the composition of product photography that can negatively impact sales and customer perception.

It is essential that the product be the focus of the image. This means that it should be in the center of the image and fill most of the frame, while at the same time ensuring that background elements do not distract from its importance. In addition, lighting should be carefully considered to highlight key features and textures while avoiding harsh shadows or unwanted reflections. A cluttered background should also be avoided, as it can distract from the main focus.

6. Wrong use of angles

Mistakes in product photography angles
Wrong use of angles

View angles are a great way to add variety to your product photography session without spending more money. However, using the wrong angles when photographing products can result in distorted images that don’t properly represent your products. For example, shooting from an angle that makes your product look larger or smaller than it actually is can be misleading to customers.

In addition, incorrect angles can lead to shadows and reflections that affect overall image quality. To avoid these mistakes, it’s important to take some time to plan out your shots before you start shooting. Experiment with different angles and lighting settings until you find one that works well for your products.

7. Ignoring post-production

Post-production is an essential part of any marketing campaign. Skipping this crucial step can lead to a number of product photography mistakes that can damage your company’s reputation.

Without proper editing, your photos may not accurately reflect the best features and characteristics of your products. This can lead to customer dissatisfaction and lost sales. By investing in post-processing, you can ensure that each photo represents your products in the most appealing way possible.

Another common mistake with product photography is not optimizing your images for different mediums. If you want to use your photos on social media or e-commerce websites, they need to be properly formatted for the specifications of each platform. Otherwise, the images may be blurry or distorted and fail to attract customers’ attention.

8. Mediocre lighting

Medicore lighting in product photography
Mediocre lighting

Choosing the right lighting in product photography is critical to making your products look their best. Unfortunately, many product photographers make mistakes when it comes to picking lighting for their shots, resulting in mediocre photos that fail to impress buyers.

One common mistake is using harsh, direct light that creates unflattering shadows and blurs important details. To avoid this mistake, try diffusing your light source with soft boxes or reflectors for more even and natural-looking lighting. You should also consider using multiple light sources from different angles to add depth and dimension to your shots.

9. Props that don’t connect

The main purpose of using props in product photography is to evoke emotions in your audience. However, in product photography, photographers can make several mistakes when trying to set the stage for their products. Even though props can make your product photography more interesting and bigger, they should never be used as an afterthought or simply because they look pretty.

The first step to avoiding this mistake is to understand who your target audience is and what they are looking for in a product. This will help you choose the right props that will not only complement your product, but also resonate with your customers. For example, if you’re selling perfumes, using the ingredients as props would make more sense than using other unrelated items.

10. Being biased about your work

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One of the crucial aspects that lead to mistakes in product photography is subjectivity. When you work long hours and put all your effort into a product photography session, it’s easy to be biased. There’s nothing wrong with loving your work, but you have to be realistic at the same time.

In reality, however, it often turns out that people get complacent with their product photography and make mistakes as a result. Viewers have an entirely different idea of the visual content you publish, and you need to tailor each image to what they want to see.

Conclusion

Product photography mistakes are common among many companies. However, they can be fixed with a few simple steps. The first step is to invest in good lighting and the right equipment. This allows you to capture high-quality images that showcase your products to their best advantage.

Another mistake that many businesses make is that they do not take the time to properly stage their products. When you take the time to showcase your products in an attractive and eye-catching way, you increase the likelihood that customers will click through to your website or make a purchase. In addition, you must keep consistency in your product photography. By maintaining a consistent style and aesthetic for all of your product photos, you can create a unified look for your brand and build trust with potential customers.

Finally, don’t be afraid to seek professional help if needed. At Welpix, we can create your ideal visual content cheaper and faster than ever before. Moreover, you will get your marketing materials without even leaving your home, since most of our work is done remotely. Learn more about the breakthrough technology we use by clicking here, and schedule a FREE appointment with us now.

FAQ

What are some common mistakes people make when taking product photos?

Some common mistakes that you must avoid in your next product photography projects include poor lighting, using the wrong props, and ignoring post-production. For more information, make sure to read this article carefully.

Why is it important to clean my product before photographing it?

Product preparation is an essential part of every successful product photography session, as any imperfection like dust, fingerprints, or smudges can make customers lose trust in your brand.

How can I avoid habits that lead to product photography mistakes?

You can easily avoid destructive habits that lead to product photography mistakes by outlining and respecting your project’s plan clearly.

Avatar for Martin Pitonak

Martin Pitonak

Martin Pitonak is a creative professional and entrepreneur with nearly 20 years of experience in the creative industry. His passion for helping businesses in all areas of visual marketing sets him apart in a variety…