CATALOGUE PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY
Clean, Crisp Imagery for E-Commerce
Catalogue product photography is also referred to as e-commerce photography, or sometimes pack shot photography. It describes images showing your product in isolation, typically on a white background, lit in a clean, clear way, and free from distracting detail.
This type of photography is ideal for e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Ebay, and Etsy. The aim is to show customers your product in as much detail as possible, with the idea that looking at the images is the next best thing to actually holding the product in their hands. Typically, a product will need a set of images. This may simply be a front, side, and top view, to show the customer around the product. Or, the photographs might demonstrate the product having different “modes”, for example showing it packed for storage and unpacked ready to use. Specific details can also be highlighted with a much closer or even macro (magnified) view.
Catalogue product photography can seem simple at first glance, but it isn’t just a case of setting the item on a white background and blasting it with flash. The quality of reflections, highlights, and shadows makes all the difference to a product shot, so everything needs to be carefully controlled. This is why I prefer not to use a “light tent” - a white box that lights the product evenly from all sides and above - as most products will look much better with shadows in the right places, or when the light falling on them is directed and shaped in a particular way.
“I knew the brief would be difficult as the products were stock which needed to be sold and had to be handled with care due to the nature of the material used. I explained to Dan what I required and, as my knowledge of what was needed to achieve this was limited, I found his constructive input invaluable. Dan worked within the given timeframe and produced some fantastic photographs. I will definitely be using his services again.”
— Sarah, product photography customer, Coventry
It doesn’t always have to be a white background, of course. For instance, these handmade candles from Jeso are available in a range of coloured pots. To demonstrate this feature, the products were photographed on paper backgrounds that complemented the colours of the pots.
Absolutely amazing service! The photos exceeded my expectations, they are fantastic. I cannot recommend highly enough. Thanks Foxlight!
~ Liz, Catalogue Product Photography client, Warwick