3 Types of Product Photography You Need to Master
photo by miniseries via iStock
If you’re thinking about getting into product photography, the first lesson you should learn is that it’s much more involved than putting a product on a white background and snapping a photo.
Just like filmmakers need to vary the types of shots and sequences they create, product photographers also need to master different types of product photography in order to tailor the shoot to the item and the purpose of the images.
In this quick guide, we’ll highlight three primary types of product photography, what they’re used for, and we’ll also discuss one of the most valuable tools you need to make your product photography a success.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Flat-Lay Product Photography
photo by Rawpixel via iStock
A flat-lay product photo is just what it sounds like - the product is photographed on a flat surface (like a beautiful backdrop) from above.
This type of product image is often seen in online stores and is one of the most popular types of product photography because it gives potential buyers a clear view of the product.
When you’re shopping for clothing, for example, you might find a flat-lay image of a shirt that shows the front and another that shows the back (mixed in with various other types of product photography, too).
But as I noted earlier, while it might seem like a simple task to throw a product on a flat surface and take its picture, more finesse is needed.
To get the best results, you want to set the proper stage for the flat-lay image with a good backdrop.
I personally use Best Ever Backdrops for my backdrop needs because they are made in the USA, small and lightweight, and virtually indestructible.
Likewise, at 24x36 inches (or 46x36 inches for the oversized versions), these backdrops are ideally-sized for all types of product photography.
Of course, at less than two pounds and just ⅛-inches thick, these backdrops aren’t big and bulky, which makes them easy to store and easy to retrieve when you need them.
Better yet, backdrops like this are two-sided, so you get double the functionality by having one texture on the front and another on the back that you can use for various types of product photography. With affordable pricing and free shipping to boot, these backdrops are the perfect way to get the best lay-flat images.
On top of that, Best Ever Backdrops now offers a new size - 24x24 inches (shown above) - which is ideal for photographers that are on the go.
Like their larger counterparts, these smaller backdrops are two-sided, lightweight, completely stain resistant, and 100 percent waterproof. Additionally, these smaller backdrops are just as durable, beautiful, and well-made as the larger offerings from Best Ever Backdrops.
As a side note, we’ll have a feature on these smaller backdrops in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that!
photo by glegorly via iStock
Once you have a good backdrop in place, the next task is to design the product scene.
For example, you might have a color scheme that highlights the pops of colors in a pair of sneakers.
Alternatively, you might think purposefully about how to arrange multiple products so the scene looks natural, yet highlights each element equally. Styling is certainly important!
In some cases, the best result with flat-lay product photography is to include a model’s hands in the shot - this can create added visual appeal while helping you achieve a more candid look.
There are many more ideas for capturing the best flat-lay photos, but these will certainly get you started!
Editor’s Tip: Are you ready to dive into product photography? Get started on the right foot with the right backdrop! Use the promo code PTalk15 to get 15% off your order from their Backdrop Collection or Mix and Match Collection!
Detail Product Shots
photo by SunChan via iStock
Whereas flat-lay photos give you a broad overview of a product, detail product shots are the types of product photography that give potential buyers a view of the product's features and details.
Details are important in many aspects of life, but particularly so when deciding whether or not to purchase an item.
By providing buyers with product photos that highlight a product’s details, you help them develop a better understanding of what the product offers while also helping them picture themselves using that item.
photo by ProArtWork via iStock
To get appropriate detail shots, you need to frame the image as a close-up. Typically, this is done with a macro lens, but it isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker if you don’t have that kind of lens.
For example, you can set up the shot, compose an image that’s as tightly framed on the product as possible while still being sharp, and then crop the image in post-processing to fill the frame with the details you’d like to highlight.
Of all the types of product photography, this is the one that’s the most important for “sealing the deal” of many types of purchases. Think of jewelry - having detailed shots of rings, necklaces, and other pieces can excite buyers about the prospect of owning the item in a way that other types of product photography simply cannot pull off.
Lifestyle Product Photography
photo by PeopleImages via iStock
In addition to the bird’s-eye view of a flat-lay image and the detail-rich view of a close-up image, it’s also worth creating lifestyle product photos.
The purpose of this type of product photography is to give buyers a more dynamic and interesting look at the product. This is done by showing the product being in use.
So, if the product you’re photographing is mascara, a lifestyle shot might be like the one above of a woman applying mascara as she looks in a mirror. This shot would be joined by flat-lay and detailed shots to give viewers a holistic view of the product.
photo by Marcus Chung via iStock
The great thing about lifestyle product photography is that it can be done virtually anywhere - the kitchen or bath, your backyard, the local park, and so forth.
Of course, the shoot location needs to jive with the product being photographed. Photographing food makes sense in the kitchen, but perhaps not so much in the garage!
At the end of the day, this and the other types of product photography enable you to tell a product’s story. These kinds of images showcase the product's features, help buyers see how they are used, and most importantly, entice buyers to press the buy button.