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Winning Product Photography with Adam Rasheed Pt.2

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast
The Unofficial Shopify Podcast
Episode • Jun 15, 2015 • 24m

In the second half of a two part episode, Commercial Photographer Adam Rasheed joins us to tell us how you can improve your photography (or hire a professional to tackle it.)

When small businesses want to make a better impression both online and in person, they should showcase their products and services in the best way possible. Unfortunately buying a nice camera or hiring a young relative for a few bucks doesn’t cut. There isn’t only technical ability, but a knowledge of your subject matter involved. At the end of the day, you want a better business, and we'll help you get there.

Get a Free 5-Page Guide on photography for your Shopify store at: http://adamrasheed.com/kurt

Adam is offering the first three people that contact him at info@adamrasheed.com free photography services for up to 5 products.

Conditions:

  1. You must have a Shopify Website
  2. You must have had at least one sale already.
  3. You must be able to ship your products to California and pay to ship it back if you want them returned.

Show Notes (for part 1 and 2)

Why Do You Need better photos?

  • Increases confidence: Your Customers feel better about buying from you.

  • Decreases Risk: Increases Sales

  • Better Information: Decreases Conversions

  • Better UX: More Repeat Customers

  • Better Branding & Positioning: Crucial for higher end or boutique products

Hero images

  • Advertising shots for colognes & Perfumes, Beer, etc.

  • The product is the “hero” of the photograph

  • Shows some branding in the background and foreground.

  • You can be more dramatic

Catalog images

General

  • All Important Angles

  • Show Scale

  • If you have to ask, TAKE A PICTURE!

  • Starting place: Aperture of at least f/5.6 or f/8. Shutter at least 1/60 of second. ISO no more than 1600.

Small Products

  • Jewelry, Etc.

  • Having Everything in focus

  • Focus Stacking: http://www.promote-control.com/

Big products

  • Show scale

  • Show Details

  • Show it in packaging

Lifestyle Images

  • Show and ideal version of people using your product as they would in real life.

  • Display the lifestyle around your product and brand

  • Use the Ideal version of your target market in an ideal world

Stock Images

  • You should you never ever use them. Only exception being mockups for apps, websites, etc.

  • Only when it’s not a part of the product.

DIY Techniques

Equipment Guide

  • Don’t need a $2,000 DSLR

  • You DO need something that you can control Aperture/Shutter/ISO on.

  • Replaceable lenses are preferable.

  • Canon Rebels are a great place to start.

  • Speedlight (a Flash)

  • White Foam board

  • Large Construction Paper

  • Small Table

Exposure Triangle

  • Automatic/Manual

  • Aperture - Controls how much light goes through your lens and affects depth of field. Also greatly controls exposure.

  • Shutter - Controls how long your sensor is exposed for.

  • ISO - Controls that light sensitivity of your camera.

Equipment Links

  • Canon Rebel: http://amzn.com/B00IB1BTWI

  • Speedlight: http://amzn.com/B00BXA7N6A

  • Foam Board: http