Garter dilemma

[Former_Member]

I recently listed bridal garters, and I am struggling with presentation. I did a general etsy search for garters, and was not very impressed with the photos. Most pictures (mine as well) are of garters laying flat on a background. I couple ideas are to put them on something circular, like a vase (inside or outside?). Very few people have models for presenting garters. Is it a turn off? Would having my garters on models be more cohesive with my shop? Any new ideas on presentation?

Any ideas are helpful!

[threestonebirds]

If you can get your hands on a really nice vase, I like the idea of presenting it around that. If I were in the market for one, not having it on a model wouldn't affect my decision at all, though it is nice to see one being worn.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

You've got a lovely shop!
And I love your presentation. Your shop has a happy and professional feeling.

But I agree that the pictures of bridal garters just lying on some flat surface are not that attractive (the garters are!).
Although I would love to see them on models, I realize that happy brides lifting up the skirts of their wedding dresses to the point that we could (almost) see their undies will put some people off.

Perhaps you could find a mannequin leg (is that what they call it?). You know, just a leg on a stand, which shops use to show socks and stockings.
You could use a nice stocking on it.

I personally don't like the vase idea any better then the garter lying on a flat surface. In fact, I'd probably be distracted by the vase and wonder why it was wearing a garter...

[MythOfTheWild]

For clothing items I always think it's best to see them worn. We get a better idea of size and thickness that way - like if it lies flat against the skin or not, depending on fabric thickness, and how wide it is - thin or thick design etc.
I've not seen many garters but those that I have I've been drawn to because they've been presented on models.

That's just me, but I'm a buyer as well as a seller.

[Ficklepicklefun]

What about a mannequin leg? Or, here is what I did for my headbands...I took a 2x4 and screwed a wooden closet dowel on top. Then I covered the entire circumference with quilt batting. Once it had a nice shape, (somewhat flat on bottom for stability and curved, liked a half circle) I covered it with navy blue velvet. (I used a industrial stapler to attach the velvet on the flat side)

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I just reconsidered: I still think (just like Kim) that they would look best worn by a model.
So what if that puts some people off? It might appeal to much more people!

[Former_Member]

I think models are great, but its a very fine line. You'd definitely have to shoot carefully or crop the photo so ONLY the leg with the garter shows.

The advice I've gotten from SO MANY others is that while shoppers want to see their item in use, they also want to envision seeing themselves in it. I'd shy away from showing a full body or a face in a product photography shoot for wedding garters

[Former_Member]

I was drawn to the ones on models as well, but I was suprised to see how few people go that route. I'm wondering if it's just hard for people to coordinate a model, dress, and camara. I'm doing a photoshoot later this week, it wont hurt to try!

@Kim, I agree with the vase, kinda distracting. It's such a tough item to display!
@Maggie, great advice! I didn't think about it that way.

Thank you everyone for your advice and opinions.

[sunshineandvodka]

i wouldn't want to buy a garder that was already worn, even if it was to model it... sorry, it's an undergarment.

I like the idea of a 'fake' leg for sure!

[Former_Member]

LOL! Paulette - I guess you are right but I never thought of it like underwear or bras.

Personally, I find "fake" mannequin stuff to be off-putting. If I see hats or scarves on polystyrene or plastic heads, I never buy. I guess a leg is different though, since its basically just a tube of plastic.

[sunshineandvodka]

@Maggie... I know... I wouldn't have thought of it either but after reading the need to crop the photo's so nothing inappropriate shows got me thinking... that would be too close for comfort for me to wear, ya know?

I guess if it's only the "sample" that is being modeled, there is a way to photograph it with a skirt covering the x rated areas or with the models leg/foot on a chair or you could even photograph it from above on your own leg in a professional manner.

I dunno... my two cents has expired ;)

[Former_Member]

you can create tasteful photos by cropping them to accentuate just the garter. but, i agree that showing them on a model would be the best route.
good luck!

[Former_Member]

Ahh I hadn't even considered a "sample" Everything I make is one of a kind, so I suppose if you were producing multiples, you could sacrifice the prototype or something to someone's nether regions.

I guess I figured thigh was still ok... but I guess its inching dangerously close to the red light zone! Lol

[JaneStaufferPaperCo]

I'm thinking Stage Setting....
items that we associate with weddings.
Candles? champagne glasses? Vail material? Boutonniere? Bow tie? Special bride necklace? Simple bridal bouquet made of green leaves with a bow to match garter? (I'm just having too much fun here)
Position the garter round in this scenario and not flat. How about a closeup of the decoration on the garter for one of your photos.
Good luck on your new shop!

[SelkiePubZines]

I think it would look best on a model, but I agree that I would want one that hadn't been worn...so there, that's probably completely not helpful. Maybe you could do something completely silly like make it into a slingshot? Or hang it by fishing line, maybe skewed a little bit to look natural, and have a background of a groom just tossing it? (yeah, really hard to stage, I know...) Or, if you're artsy, have the background be a sketch of a bride so it will look like she's wearing it? (Maybe Photoshopped together for scale?) I'm picturing a vintagy looking thing. Then in your other pictures you could have it flat so they could really see what it looks like. Probably not helpful, but I had fun...hope it will spark some good ideas, anyway!

What about a bride model, but with it in her hands, pre-putting it on? Or in the groom model's hand before he throws it? If it's a close-up, it could be anyone's hands with a festive background, but would still give it some life, rather than just being flat.

Ok. I'm done now. Really. :)

[SelkiePubZines]

Also, as far as a model actually wearing it...I guess I'm from a pretty tame crowd, but our garters are usually just a little above the knee, anyway...very little risk of exposure.

[HausofAriella]

I always thought that garters wore worn just above the knee. If that's the case, then I don't think you'd have a problem with the model showing too much in the shot. I don't really like the idea of putting it on a mannequin leg, mostly because I don't like seeing clothes on mannequins (they kinda freak me out). If you can make more of the same garter, then you could always use the one for photos and specify in the description that the garter the buyer will receive is not the same one that the model is wearing.

[poisonpear]

I like the ideas from Jennie at SilkieMum - you could also shoot a photo of a bride just slipping it on, like by the ankle. Or a groom holding it, or a guy holding it like a prize.

[Former_Member]

I just got home from work and read all of these posts, so funny! I loved them.

@Jennie, you are too funny! I love your ideas.

From reading all of the posts, here are the conclusions I have come to. Model pics are best, but offputting if its the same garter. I am able to duplicate most of my garters at least a few times. I really like other ideas with the hands and slipping it on, brilliant! For OOAK garters I will just stick to the flat background.

Thanks your the ideas everyone, so appreciated. I'm glad you had fun getting creative as well ;)

[SelkiePubZines]

:-) Now I'll have to remember to check back at your shop and see how they turned out!