Letting the Shoe Drop: The Best Ideas For Clothing Product Photos From The Industry Insider

For home appliances and food trade, other factors like specifications and nutrients help customers decide on the product. But in clothes retail, and online retail in particular, the whole system hinges on that special photo that captures imagination and makes a client hit the Buy button.

If you want to find out what it takes to create that polished Vogue-like portfolio of your collection (or the ecommerce stock), read on and make use of the tips we share.

Conceptualization of your photo session

Before you start looking for a photo studio or set up the stage for your own session, shape a clear view of what clothes photos you need. What should they tell your existing and potential customers in the absence of all other informative bits, like text or hashtags? What message should those stomper boots or flowy dress firmly imprint in the viewer's mind?

Here are some prompts:

1. - New collection has dropped and it is all hot'n'rage;
2. - Some cool event is upcoming and here are the previews;
3. - Environmentally conscientious brand or collection has arrived;
4. - A new must-have brand enters the market;
5. - The collection is specifically designed for a given population or activity, so don't miss out.  

For a clothes ecommerce, four ideas out of five are suitable (except previews).  Your goal is to demonstrate the product to the customer in the most appealing light, and the concept will help you get everything right. To get yourself started, create a virtual or real moodboard and collect images and ideas that inspire you or resemble what you want to see in the completed product portfolio.

Planning the shoot: find out the exclusive know-hows

Okay, you have decided on the concept. How to implement it? Depends on your scenario, but basically, there are three key shooting styles that offset all advantages of your clothing product.

Lifestyle or streetstyle shooting

The items are demonstrated on human models, in real-life scenery, in motion or in imitation of some kind of activity. Young people in a skate park, friends in a café, a person walking in the street, a concert, a park scene, a picnic – these are all lifestyle shoots. This style helps to highlight the practical side of the collection and at the same time creates a palpable bond with the presumed audience.  

Formal white-background shooting

The most practical and easy shooting style. Mostly used to demonstrate newly stocked items in the shop and to highlight the details. Ghost mannequin, flat lay or a static model are usually demonstrating the clothes (find out in depth about intricacies of the matter here). If you need good old photos to fill the website, go for this kind.

Editorial (conceptual) shooting

The elite style, so to say. Photos in this style convey 'the essence of the brand', its soul and uniqueness. If by a passing glimpse of the item you can name the brand (think Chanel bags or jackets), even if you have never seen the particular item before, that you have stumbled upon the editorial image. Expensive commercials, large brand interviews are all done with this kind of shooting. Yet mind that the price will also be exorbitant.

Checklist of a good session planner and clothing product photographer

When you have decided on the shooting style, you can start looking for the best accessible photo studios (find out here about a good option) and prepare for the shoot. The preparation will take more time than shooting itself, so take it seriously.

1. Collect all items (plus accessories) you plan to shoot. Get them prepared (pressed, customized, etc.). Book and follow up the delivery to the place of shooting.
2. Book models that fit your concept. Please remember about diversity and variety of ages (if it's not solely teen fashion).
3. Negotiate with the studio the props to be secured and locations to be used.
4. Double check the concept and style, the number of shots and the required details of shots.  
5. Book additional specialists, like a hair stylist and a makeup artist.
6. Remind all members one week and one day before shooting about the event.
7. Be present in person on the location to be consulted if there are any questions.
8. Negotiate the price in advance.
9. Decide if you will order editing  and what kind of editing. Less is better, in this case.

If you follow our tips when selecting a studio and planning the shoot and find out more useful points for better grip of the topic, your photos will be awesome and conversions will grow exponentially. Good luck!