One of the key aspects of selling apparel online is having stellar photography. Not only is it a great way to set yourself apart as a brand, it can establish trust and prevent returns when your photos are clear, crisp, and professional.
From documenting my personal wardrobe, sitting in at photoshoots at a fashion brand, and finally starting my own vintage shop, I've experimented with dozens of ways to streamline the photography process.
Here are my quick and easy tips to taking amazing photos at a low cost.
To get started, here's what we'll need:
Supplies
- A clean, uncluttered background
- An even light source
- Any digital camera/smartphone
- An editing software
- Steamer, lint roller, pill remover
- Hanger
- Your items!
If you're taking modeled photos, you'll also need the following:
- A camera shutter remote or timed clicker app (like LensBuddy)
- Tripod
A clean background & even lighting
These are the absolute ESSENTIAL factors in getting a beautiful photo (even more than the camera you use)! Having an uncluttered background helps your customer to focus on the garment, and bright, even lighting helps people to see the details on your item well.
Some examples of an uncluttered background include:
- A blank wall
- Curtains, drapes, or bed linens
- A door
- A poster/foam board for smaller items
Also, don't forget to have something for the hanger to hold onto! A nail in the wall, a Command hook, railing, curtain rod, or even a door frame will work well to get a nice shot.
Finding the best lighting
The cheapest and most accessible option for beautiful lighting is natural light. I've found the most ideal spot has light coming from both the front and the side. Just one light source can come off too harsh and uneven.
Direct sunlight can add harsh shadows to your photo that make the details on your item hard to see, so if you're taking photos outside, aim to find a shaded but bright spot to take photos.
Any digital camera
Modern phones have amazing cameras, so there's no need to splurge on new equipment. Just make sure to use the right settings and to clean your lens before you shoot.
If you are using a mirrorless or DSLR camera, I recommend shooting in RAW mode rather than JPEG. This makes it much easier to edit photos later on!
An editing software
My software of choice is Lightroom for batch editing purposes (basically, you can copy-paste your setting to multiple photos!). This software comes with a $10 monthly subscription through Adobe, with Photoshop included.
Lightroom on a desktop or laptop allows me to edit more quickly, but if you're on a tight budget, there is a free mobile app when you sign up for an Adobe account.
Another aspect of Lightroom I like are the presets, which are adjustable filters that enable you to quickly edit a batch of photos.
If you're not into subscription services, Affinity has a line of Adobe dupes that I heard work just as well. I haven't tested them out yet, but I've heard amazing things.
Steamer, lint roller, and pill remover
Presentation is key when taking photos. Take the extra minute or two to keep your items looking fresh.
Step 1: gather your supplies and prep your garments.
I'll start by placing all of my items on hangers and steaming, lint-rolling, and snipping loose threads as necessary.
Step 2: pose your garment
For hanger and flatlay items:
Clean any clutter and remove distracting elements from your backdrop. Make sure to use an attractive hanger, such as a wood or metal option, over a plastic one for a more elegant look.
You'll notice that once hung, the sleeves on a top will tend to roll in and look droopy. My solution is to use tape that won't damage your garment and gently adhere it to the sleeve, and then to the wall. Try to maintain the natural flow of the garment.
Make sure the garment is symmetrical and not hanging off one side. I'll also grasp the left and right side of the garment and gently let it fall for the most natural drape. For pants, I'll tuck in the crotch to the back.
Finally, make sure all closures are done up, such as buttons, zippers, and hooks. It makes a difference in how the garment hangs.
For modeled photos:
Some brands prefer to have a consistent pose for their models, while others add more dynamic posing. For either, make sure that your garments are laying properly, clamp when needed (and note in your copy if it is clamped), and shoot away!
If you plan on doing varied poses, I recommend moving while you pose. This method displays the drape of a garment and creates visual interest.
For both hanger and modeled photos remember:
Take a photo of the front and back, details, and flaws. Detail photos may include a close up of the fabric, prints, or tags. Also include photos of any flaws your garment may have. People often skim over descriptions, so including photos will help communicate the condition of the garment you are selling.
Step 3: culling & editing
After you take your photos, go through your camera roll and delete any photos that are blurry, repeated, or not needed. This will help save time when you edit. Then you can start editing!
As mentioned above, I edit all of my photos with Lightroom. I use the sync feature to copy my edits (I use Cascade, which I adjusted to remove all HSL levels, found here). Then I'll go in and fine tune my edits for each photo.
While your edits may differ depending on the lighting of your setup, I tend to lighten shadows, darken highlights, adjust warmth and tint, and adjust the exposure. I may also adjust the individual HSL levels of a color (I notice blues tend to become oversaturated).
I tend to center most of my pictures. You can crop modeled photos from the lips down or the neck down if you prefer not to show your face. I like to include a full body shot so people can see the length of an item, and also to provide inspiration on how to style the item. Then I'll include a tighter shot of the garment so the details are clearly seen.
I also crop my photos in a 1:1 aspect ratio as both Poshmark and Depop require this for their photos. Having to only crop once saves me a lot of time!
That's it!
While it may seem a bit overwhelming at first, you'll get the hang of it the more you take photos. Think like a customer- what type of photos do you find the most helpful when you're shopping online?
I hope this was helpful! Please reach out with any questions. Otherwise, I'll see everyone in the next post.