When it comes to grabbing attention and driving sales, there are plenty of different types of product photography that businesses can use - ranging from lifestyle photography and flat-lays to eCommerce photos and group shots.

That being said, for the best results, these different photography styles need to be used at the right time and in the right place. Figuring this out for your own store can be a confusing process, though it doesn’t have to be. We’ve put together a list of 6 popular types of product photography to try in your eCommerce store, and exactly where you should be using them - check it out below.

Why Does Product Photography Matter?

Encourage Sales

One of the big disadvantages of eCommerce is that online shoppers aren’t able to try before they buy. Though this is where good product photos can help. Product photography allows customers to accurately see what they’re buying - helping to drive them through the store and into the checkout.

Develop Your Brand

Brands pushing certain values and morals can use lifestyle photography to communicate with their audience.

Photographers can create scenes around a product to exude certain tones consistent with your business. This doesn’t only develop and evolve the look and feel of your brand, but it can also boost your product’s appeal.

Stand Out From Competitors

Poor lighting and blurry images can stick out like a sore thumb - reflecting poorly on an eCommerce store. By using clean and crisp product photos, you can boost your brand’s credibility and stand out among competitors that aren’t meeting this benchmark.

6 Types Of Product Photography Every Brand Needs

1. E-Commerce Photography

The classic, white-background image is a staple for any eCommerce website.

These images eliminate distracts, drawing all the focus to the product. They properly depict a product’s aesthetic while highlighting the smaller details. Since these images point all the attention towards a product’s look, you’ll commonly see eCommerce photos throughout online stores.

Though the concept sounds simple, creating high-quality eCommerce photos is much easier said than done. Before embarking on this shoot, there are a handful of inside tips you should know to ensure you’re getting clean and crisp results.

We’ve covered all this information in a recent post: “How To Do A Product Shoot In 6 Steps.”

2. Group Shots

If you’re looking to capture a heroic image of your product range, you can’t go wrong with a group shot.

These images show your store’s range and provides customers with options on their purchasing journey. They are typically found on website banners, sprinkled throughout the store, or on social media.

Whether you’re working with a lifestyle-theme or eCommerce style, pulling off a good-looking group shot is no easy task. After all, it’s not as simple as throwing all the products into frame and snapping the shutter. Throughout the process, you’ll need to put in the time and properly arrange the products in a flattering manner. It’ll take some trial and error to get the perfect shot, though it’s all worth it in the end.

3. Lifestyle Product Photography

Unlike those white-background photos, lifestyle product photography is much more dynamic. When done right, this particular type of product photography is attention-grabbing and visually satisfying.

For the customers, this style allows them to see how your products look while being used - rather than just against a white background. Whether you’re working with athletic wear, scented candles, a skincare range, or anything in between, take the time to show off your products in the environment it was designed for.

These photos are very versatile additions to online stores. They can be used on the homepage to grab attention, on social media channels to increase brand awareness, or throughout the online store to showcase your goods in different settings.

4. Flat-Lays

Flat-lays are another popular form of lifestyle product photography, often seen across social media, eCommerce websites, and everywhere in between.

For those wondering, a flat-lay is essentially just an image taken from above, with the product and props arranged on a flat surface below. The concept sounds very simple, but pulling off an appealing flat-lay can be difficult.

If you’re trying to take better flat-lays, start off by creating a colour theme through the background, props, and products. Also, try to add some texture to your photos to give them a bit more depth - whether it’s by using a stone, wooden, or a metal surface. Finally, try to naturally feature someone’s hands in the shot. It can make the scene look much-more candid, and will provide the shot with additional layers.

Nailing flat-lay product photography can take a bit of practice, though the results can be very satisfying.

5. Mannequin Photos

If you’re working with clothing, having high-grade mannequin shots is a must - particularly for potential customers browsing through your website. These types of images provide a three-dimensional look to your clothing range, helping customers to see how they’d look when being worn.

Mannequin photos are a valuable tool for driving sales - especially if your business is solely based online and customers aren’t able to try-on the outfits before they head to the checkout.

6. Macro Photography

Macro photography achieves what other types of product photography simply can’t - detail. If you’re selling smaller products like jewellery or wrist-watches, having proper macro photography of your range is a must.

A macro product image is essentially an extreme close-up of a small subject - making the products look much bigger than what they do in real life. This allows you to capture the intricate features that would otherwise go unnoticed.

An outrageous close-up may sound simple, though these photos are eye-catching and are very flattering for your product.

Every eCommerce store needs professional product photography, whether it’s to drive sales, develop the brand, or stand above the competition. Though by knowing the different types of product photography available, you can customise your approach and optimise your visual content to grow your business.