What's the next best thing to a live model.....

[littlecherryhill]

I don't really have anyone I can ask that can be a model for my jewellery photos (cept my 4 yr old lol). So what do you think is the next best thing? A mannequin? A dressmakers dummy? And should they be life size? so there is no misconstruing the size of my jewellery? What is your opinion??

Thanks!!

[Former_Member]

I don't sell jewelry, but I look at it a lot on Etsy. They ones that catch my attention the most are displayed uniquely. If you don't have a model than I think that finding creative ways to display is the best (e.g. A ring or bracelet on a branch). Overall I think that what really matters is that it catches the eye and your shop has a consistent theme.

[Former_Member]

I won't buy jewelry unless I can see it on- It's tough here on Etsy because we can't pick up the jewelry and try it on so I like to see it on a model/mannequin/etc.

Personally, I prefer a dress form to a plastic mannequin. Something about the fabric looking more natural, less sterile/walmarty. If you could get a cheap mannequin and cover it with natural colored fabric, that might be the least expensive option. You could cover a few in different colored fabrics to give yourself more options. Whatever you do, you'll definitely want life-sized models!

Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Well you could use a tripod and timer and do a self portrait. Or you could hire a local photographer to take some for you on a model. It might not be as expensive as you think, and you might be able to trade a product for photos too. I had some professional photos taken of my prints framed and it only came to $5 a photo, and they included a ton of additional photos as well. Never hurts to message someone for pricing

Out of your choices above, I'd say a life size dressmakers dummy so you can see how the necklaces fall.

[Untwistedsister]

I would suggest you flip through some jewelry shops on Etsy and see if you see a style of posing your jewelry without using a live model that you like and can adapt and make your own.

[EleanorsVintage]

I think most of your photos are beautiful, and don't need changing. Especially, I like the ones with the turquoise box as a backdrop.
Having said that, I just bought a pair of earrings on etsy, and the photos were beautiful and very artistic, but the actual earrings turned out to have a way longer 'drop' than I had imagined. This was in the description, but I didn't measure, and a photo on a model's ear would have helped. I am not sure what this means for you, other than if you have earrings that are really dangling, you may want to be extra careful with your description.
And yes, if you go with a mannequin, it should be life size, otherwise you open a can of worms!
Best of luck, but I think you are doing great!

[watermediaworks]

I'm a bit of an earring fanatic, so I'll focus on those.....
I love the blue box you have your earrings on, but I find it's a bit busy for the earrings -- I find myself looking more at the texture and color of the box than the earrings. There are some really inexpensive ways to make earrings look good.

Here's one - a white coffee mug!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/100931863/mint-summer-silver-earrings-lovely

One thing I have heard is that a lot of buyers are really grossed out by seeing earrings in someone's ear. Not sure why, I'm not, but FYI... may be something to definitely avoid!

Best of luck!!

[Former_Member]

your pics are really good. nice and clear and the turquoise box is great. works well when it is a contrasting item so that item really pops off the box and you are focused on the item more than the box. i try to take different angles and poses. for earrings something close to how it would look in an ear is good but not an actual ear for hygenic reasons. same with other jewelry. but then i may lay it down for a more detailed picture or to focus in on an aspect of it. as you look in the photos in my shop, you can tell my old photos from my newer ones as far as quality and form.
make sure descriptions tell the who what and etc of the item. alot of times i think some descriptions are lacking. try to think about it as if you had just come upon them and wanted to buy them. is everything there for the basics?
here is a fairly inexpensive place to get some of those items you may want to use for displaying www.storesupply.com

[AllThingsAngelas]

Hi,
Ditto to what Marcia Said...Do you market those boxes...I know that will sell...
The Jewelry is too Cool for school...I don't even wear jewelry so I'm not going to comment on yours but it is very very cool.

I totally sold my earring on a Coffee Cup...That particular pair in the above mentioned comment will sell out the door I can tell just by looking at them in fact I tried to make those type before...
Blessings,
Angie

[Former_Member]

I had a photoshoot with some friends and myself and I took most of the photographs with my iPhone. They look beautiful. You can have a photoshoot without making it too complicated.

[Former_Member]

i love the pictures of rings on the heel of an upside down shoe.

[TOMgirlApparel]

You can also look for aspiring models willing to trade their seviecs for copies of the pictures for their portfolios.

[littlecherryhill]

Thank you all so much for your advice!

Earrings are the most difficult thing to photograph for sure. I don't think I would feel right putting them in a real ear to model.

Do you think something like this (in a neutral tone), would be sufficient? It's life size, so you could get the gist of how it might sit on you if you are a similar size.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86883946/perfect-wedding-dress-display-vintage?ref=sr_gallery_15&ga_sear...

As for rings, I model those on my own hands for now. I put measurements of pretty much everything in my listing. It's soooo hard to get photography right, spesh when it's your store front!

[Former_Member]

I use a dressmaking lady for my necklace. She's ALWAYS up for a photoshoot!
I am considering though getting some models for my jewelry, in the long term.

For the earrings, I bought a ear mannequin here on Etsy but it's not the same size as a normal head so as it may give indication of how the earrings fall, it's not really a size indicator. If you want, convo me I'll give you the shop's name.

As for my rings, I like modeling them on my finger. One finger, to be exact. I hate my hands so I came up with an interesting way to photograph my rings easily on my hands without showing it all.

Take a look at my shop. I rarely put the model picture for the first photo of the listing but it's always part of the 5 photo slots.

[StudioCherie]

I think those dressforms are great. I love your shop as it is though. Are you thinking of the mannequin shots being supplemental to show size better? I think as a first photo, your pieces would be lost on a dressform.

[littlecherryhill]

Thanks Christina & Cherie. The dress form would be for necklaces and brooches. But it would not be the main photo, it would be to show the size of the piece once around your neck.

The spot I have set up for my photo's I take now, isn't really convenient when it comes to photographing pieces laying flat. And I want to keep cohesion, so I need to have similar lighting throughout. (though that's not always easy)

[Former_Member]

Your photos are already gorgeous. You could have a live model in the form of just your hand. That shows color against skin and proportionate size.

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

I use a bust for my necklaces pendants and even my ponytail/scarf holders. For my earring I either hang them off a frame I made or lay them flat. As for rings and bracelets, those i use my own hands for...

[Former_Member]

Dress form for necklaces and for earrings I have a small bust that has holes in her ears, which can be found on many supply sights. I would never put earrings on a live model, because people think it is unsanitary even if you say you clean them before sending.

[Innov8iveKnits]

I agree with the dress form if you can absolutely not get any models. I use my friends and also promote needing a model on FB for my local fans. I give them coupons for participating. There are also groups out there that do boutique photography for free if they get to keep your product. You can probably work something out similar with a local photographer or call a modeling agency and try that too.

[RDrewNaturals]

I like jewelry that are displayed uniquely. Much like the picture that Marcia posted. The earrings are nice as well as the way they are displayed

http://www.etsy.com/listing/97424571/trendy-chic-dangling-earrings-with?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_q...

This is nice. It has several images and one picture has it against a ruler so that customers can see the actual length.

[littlecherryhill]

Thank you all again for you help!!
Not sure what I will do just yet, but you've all given me some food for thought!

[wildwomanbeads]

I'm also a jewelry designer and have what I believe are good photos. Some have live people modeling my jewlery; nost don't.

I think your photos are some of the best I've seen for jewelry display, and would suggest you keep doing what's clearly working for you.

However, if you want to use models, there's no such thing as "I have no one..."

Most women want to see jewelry on real women, not on gorgeous models they'll never look like. If you look at the photos I've used, you'll see a friend, a 78 year old elder (who looks wonderful), my daughter and my sister. All are women who graciously and happily posed.

In my opinion, this just being me, I think a normal or everyday woman who is happy to pose for you is an improvement over a mannequin or dress form. Not everyone would agree, but I personally love to see everyday women wearing things in which they feel (and look) beautiful. That sends a message to viewers and buyers that they'll feel that way too.

Definitely stick with what you've got, but if you add photos, consider women who just look like you and me.

[lippybrand]

Great pictures. I noticed one where you had the item in your hand in the 3rd picture. I would do that for each, a good way to see the actual size.

[Former_Member]

I don't have a model for my earrings because I want my buyers to be the first person to wear them. I just feel it is more sanitary that way.

I'll model a few of my own bracelets.
All of my necklaces are adjustable

I also include a measurement against a tape measure.

That being said, my photos are always a work in progress. I still haven't found the "perfect" set up.