How are my pictures?

[Former_Member]

I see all these people with small items with AMAZING pictures. When I look at mine whose products are blankets and the like, I feel I am struggling to create professional looking photos. Does anyone have any tips for my photos?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/stitchsilly

Thanks!

[DabHands]

Hi! I've been playing around with some of my photos, too, so I understand!

One thing I've learned is that natural lighting is best. With the crib sheets you're working with a pretty dark crib and the light is being absorbed by the dark wood.

Also, you might want to try to catch things from slightly different angles instead of completely straight on. Since people are looking at photos they want to see all the angles.

Perhaps you could also add some close-ups of the seams to show the quality of the stitch, etc.

Hope this helps a bit. You have lovely products so just keep on trying new things to showcase them. Best of luck! Faith

[starflycreations]

Here is a thread link that compiles a lot of photography articles into a condensed read.
http://www.etsy.com/teams/8988/new-to-etsy-nte/discuss/8615912/page/1/?post_id=93453122

Also, there is a wealth of information and tips covering photography within the Etsy Seller's Handbook. Here is the link.
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/the-etsy-seller-handbook-all-our-how-tos-about-selling/

Hope it helps. And good luck!
-Starla

[Former_Member]

Thanks for posting this question and share the link.

:)

[Former_Member]

It looks like you're already shooting your products from a variety of angles and distances, which I think is great. I agree with DabHands that using natural lighting might help improve the look of your photos. Great suggestion!

For more tips on how to improve photos, you can go here : www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/etsys-guide-to-photography/ . It's full of a lot of great ideas!

[wayfarervintage]

Hi StitchSilly-

Nice products for baby. Comments:

1) Black background is not enticing for someone buying a baby item. White and clean background is best. Perhaps a white wooden painted bench or chair.

2) Try hanging the sheets on a wooden hanger against a colored wall or white wall. I saw that on another Etsy listing recently and it looked nice.

3) Shipping for baby nap blanket is $15. That seems very high. $10 most because the material is lightweight I imagine. The $15 would probably turn off prospective buyers. If necessary, and if the shipping really does cost that much, increase the price of your item. Just not the shipping.

4)Purple roll-up nap blanket Shipping is only $4.95. Is there a diff between this one and the pink blanket which states shipping as $15?

5)Close-up pictures like the purple nap blanket should not be the first picture you see. Make the close-up pictures a part of the four side pictures. The first picture should always be the best picture.

6) Arrange your photo with some pretty baby things. Teddy Bear, Daisies, soft pillow, pretty glass jar with cotton balls, baby powder bottle, etc. It takes additional time but if you use this same formula for all of your pictures, then buyers will have a memory of you and your product.

7) Most important thing was #1 tip above: Don't use a black background for baby items.

Thx,

Karen
wayfarervintage

[Former_Member]

Thanks for all the tips.

@Karen, for my boppy cover specifically, I wanted to use a dark background because the material is basically white and I thought the contrast would make the cover pop out. But if dark is out, what would you recommend? A bright contrasting color or a white background?

[Former_Member]

You could always use a baby in you photos too. I use light colored backgrounds (my bathroom counter top most often) for my photos and the item I'm selling really stands out. One thing you might consider is having a corner of the blanket draped over the edge of the crib. That'll give the buyer a good idea of size, and put the blanket in its own element.

[TheSnapDragonsLair]

I agree with putting the items in the natural setting and using a much lighter, happier set up.

Perhaps your first picture could be a bit more enticing, too. Just a rolled up blanket does not really grab my attention and make me want to look further.

Once I do look further, though, your blankets and sheets are lovely. You just have to show that in the first glimpse people get.

Best wishes!!

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Sounds like I have a little homework to do in re-shooting some of my products. Maybe during my son's nap time this weekend I'll take a field trip outside and get some outdoor photos with some soft and cuddly props.

[Former_Member]

I, like others, have been struggling with the same thing. I made a post on another team and the advice was definitely good lighting, not necessarily natural, and not direct sunlight. And it's important to get a good close up (Etsy Success) which is a bit of a challenge for me because my camera is "close-up challenged".

Since the weather in Michigan is WONDERFUL

[Former_Member]

oops, can't figure out how to delete a post ...

anyway, since the weather is wonderful I've been taking pictures outside, under the shade of a tree with the grassy field in the background.

Here is my shop:
http://www.etsy.com/people/elegantyoubeads?ref=si_pr

The most recent three listings were taken outside. Feedback compared to the other pics appreciated.

Thanks!

Heidi