The complete guide to packshot photography, 5: how to get more professional and consistent photos

Welcome to the 5th and final article in our series The complete guide to packshot photography. Today, we are going to discuss a crucial point for any business that wants to stand out from its online competitors: the consistency and homogeneity of your packshot photos. Indeed, the fact of guaranteeing consistency and homogeneity between each of your product photos over the long term makes it possible in return to give a high quality printing of your products, as well as a much more professional brand image. In this article, we will explain the points to take into account in your photo shootings in order to ensure this homogeneity, then we will present the various means at your disposal to facilitate this process. And as the saying goes, the devil is in the details!

Homogeneity and packshot photography: the secret to professional photos

Why is consistency essential for professional photos?

When starting to sell products online, a good presentation is essential to attract customers and convince them to buy, which is something we have seen and reviewed throughout this series. And homogeneity is part of a good presentation... In fact, it is even one of the most important principles in packshot photography when you have more than one product to present and sell. If the photos are not consistent with each other, this can quickly make you lose credibility and damage your brand image. Even worse, it can really hinder the shopping experience and repel your users. For example, imagine that you were looking to buy shoes online and that you came to a website presenting these products in this way:

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If each pair of shoes is presented with a different staging, non-homogeneous lighting and multiple color backgrounds, you may quickly have trouble comparing products with each other and getting a clear idea of the product you are going to buy. This could discourage you and push you to look for products elsewhere, and that's normal. This is why visual consistency is important to create a pleasant user experience and to facilitate product comparison. To guarantee this homogeneity, it is therefore It is important to ensure that every detail is the same from one photo shoot to the next, details such as:

• lighting,
• the position of the product,
• camera settings,
• or even the background.

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If any of these items differ from photo to photo, it can create a sense of confusion and inconsistency. As you can see, to sell products online effectively, it is essential to create a smooth and quality user experience. Having consistent photos for each product is a key element of this experience, making it easier to compare different products and create a strong and identifiable brand image.

How to ensure consistency between all your photos for a professional result?

First, make sure that all photos are taken under the same conditions lighting, focus, and background. That means you should use the same light type, focal length, settings, and background for each photo. If you're working with a professional photographer, make sure they know exactly what you expect and check their results during the photo shoot. Then, use editing software to adjust the contrast, color, and sharpness of each photo, while maintaining the natural appearance of the products photographed. This will allow you tostandardize all of your packshot photos for a professional look. However, be careful not to retouch the images too much, at the risk of deceiving your customers.

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Finally, use a template or grid to place all the products photographed in exactly the same place in the frame. This will make the reframing process easier and avoid confusion between different products. We also refer you to the 2nd article in this series, on the equipment and the concepts you need to know, where we went into more detail on the need to make a precise plan for the placement of your lights and equipment, in order to always replace them at exactly the same distances. By following these few tips, you can more easily ensure consistency between your packshot photos on your e-commerce site. You will thus give a professional and coherent image to your customers, making them want to buy your products with confidence. We only have one question left to ask you, but it's a big one: How are you going to take your packshot photographs?

What solution should you choose to photograph your products according to your needs?

Are you going to delegate your packshot photography outside by using a service provider, set up a traditional photo studio on your premises and hire a freelancer, or even invest in an automated photo studio? There is not necessarily one solution that is superior to the others. It all depends on how much time and money you want to spend on it: each of these solutions has its merits, but also its drawbacks. Let's study all of this.

Solution 1: send your products to have them photographed externally

A first possible solution is to send your products to an external service provider specialized in product photography. This method has some interesting advantages. First of all, you don't need to worry about buying expensive camera equipment or reserving space on your premises for shooting. Everything is taken care of outside. You don't need to have extensive photography knowledge either. However, there are also significant disadvantages to consider. You will have to find a trustworthy provider, organize the logistics for sending and collecting your products and the back and forth process may take longer. You could also have less control on the final rendering of your photos, unless you clearly specify your expectations and requirements through detailed specifications for your service provider. In any case, this solution can be an attractive option for businesses that are new to packshot photography and need a fast and practical alternative to produce quality images of their products.

Solution 2: set up a traditional photo studio and hire a freelancer

If you are looking for a more personalized solution for photographing your products, you may want to consider Set up a traditional photo studio on your premises and to hire a freelance product photographer. While this may seem expensive at first, it does have its benefits.

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First, by having a photo studio on your premises, you have a better control on the shots. You can adjust the lights and accessories as you like, and you can closely monitor the shooting process. And since the products do not leave your premises, the circuit is shorter and you can pick them up as soon as the photos are taken. However, initial cost can be high, as you will have to buy all the necessary hardware and install it. This can take a lot of time and money, especially if you are not familiar with photography equipment. Plus, a photo studio can take up a lot of space, which can be a challenge in smaller work environments. You will also need a experienced photographer to make the most of your photo studio brand new... Hiring a freelance photographer may be an option, but it also means you'll have to wait for them to be available, not to mention additional costs. You will also need to do some research to find the most qualified and experienced photographer to ensure an impeccable end result. Setting up a traditional photo studio on your premises can thus offer numerous advantages in terms of shooting and improved response time, but the investment in time and money will be greater.

Solution 3: do everything in-house using an automated photo studio

Last possible solution: the use of an automated photo studio internally. Not only can it be more convenient and faster, but it can also be more economical in the long term even if it represents a certain investment at the beginning. Indeed, when you hire an external provider to take photos of your products, or if you use an internal photo studio with a freelancer, you must take into account all the associated costs: travel expenses, studio rental costs, photographer fees, etc. There is also often a time limit imposed when you hire a service provider or a freelancer, which means that all photos must be taken and amended within a certain period of time.

However, if you have an automated photo studio in-house, you can take photos of your products at any time, without having to pay additional fees. Whether it's a photographer, an employee in your marketing department or an employee based in stock, Anyone can use this type of automated studio without the need for photography expertise : all you have to do is follow a short training to know how to use the studio. And you can take professional photos of your products at your own pace to ensure they meet your expectations and standards. In summary, with an automated photo studio like the ones from Orbitvu, you save time and money in the long run and you benefit from a greater flexibility and much better control on your packshots, which in turn will also improve your productivity. In addition, these machines take well less space on your premises than a traditional photo studio. Thus, and even if this solution is more expensive at the start, you have everything to gain in the long run.

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Why choose an Orbitvu automated photo studio

If you opt for an automated photo studio, we highly recommend Orbitvu studios, which are at the cutting edge of technology and specifically designed for packshot photography.

Intuitive and technologically advanced software

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The software Orbitvu Station allows you to set and control the studio in a homogeneous way. You can even save your settings in profile form and use the ghost image feature for accurate positioning of your products every time you take a shot. This powerful software remains very intuitive to use, and will be of great help to ensure consistency between all your photos, for a professional result.

Any media type supported

Orbitvu's automated studios also allow you to: Create all types of media with ease : still photographs, 360-degree animations, videos, etc. Since the studio does everything for you, shooting is much faster and more efficient. This allows you to gain in productivity and quality.

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Designed specifically for certain products

Also note that some studios are even designed specifically for certain types of products and their needs, as we told you about in the 3rd article of this series on the best way to highlight your products. For example, the Fashion Studio Or the Bike Studio are specific studios that have been developed to meet the needs of clothing and fashion accessories for one, and bicycles for the other, respectively. With them, take professional photos of these products, and with great ease! In short, using an automated photo studio like those offered by Orbitvu can be a particularly wise choice if you are aiming for a high quality packshot photography while looking for a easy to use all-in-one solution. So why not consider Orbitvu studios for your business?
If you want to know more about Orbitvu photo studios, do not hesitate to contact us : we will be happy to answer you and guide you.