Learning how to photograph clothes for e-commerce is very simple with these practical tips. Probably, you have a catalog of clothes to sell online and accessories whose photos you want to display in your online store or on Instagram shopping but you don’t know how to make them well taken.
In this article, we have prepared some tricks for you to learn how to photograph clothes to sell them more easily. Whether you want to sell clothes, shoes or accessories online or even if you want to get rid of what you no longer wear and get some extra money out of it.
Either way, here are some useful ideas on how to photograph clothes in the most professional way to get good shots of what you want to sell online and make it easier to buy. Get your camera ready!
1. Come up with a concept for the photo shoot
What many people fail to do when wondering how to photograph clothing, whether it’s for an online store or just because they want it to look as attractive as possible is to think of a concept for the photo shoot. This is a crucial step when it comes to photographing clothing to sell.
The first thing you need to ask yourself is, “why do I need to take photos of the clothes?” Do you really need to learn how to photograph e-commerce clothing? Or do you simply just want to make a social media post?
Knowing what the goal of the apparel photography session is will allow you to focus on what you want to do and help you narrow down your needs. For example, if you are going to learn how to photograph clothing for e-commerce, you may need to use a white background.
If you’re shooting clothing for Instagram and social media, you may need a little more production including some props so you can style your images.
Think about how to photograph clothing. Take a good look at what kind of style the clothes you want to feature have, think about the color and texture of the clothes.
2. Choose a background according to the style of the clothes
Learning how to photograph clothing is not just a matter of pressing the button on your camera and voila! Clothing advertising photography goes hand in hand with the type of background you use. This depends, as we had said, on what the objective is. While, on the one hand, an online store requires a plain background, lifestyle photos usually go for realistic settings.
When it comes to photographing clothing for an online store, a white background is what is most commonly used. The main reason for photographing clothing on a white background is because it creates uniformity. A plain background makes users less distracted and makes the clothes stand out.
When you are just starting to learn how to photograph clothing, you may be thinking about a professional studio. There’s nothing to worry about. You can always use all kinds of photographic backgrounds. Using craft ideas with recycled material, or DIY, always proves to be very practical, such as a plain wall or even a piece of seamless fabric.
On the other hand, if you want to learn how to photograph clothes with lifestyle images, you can use any background. Of course, you will need the collaboration of a model. In that case, in order not to raise the costs of photographing clothes for an online store, you can ask a family member or a friend to help you.
Image: Pixabay
3. Correct lighting for clothing photography
When it comes to doing clothing photography at home, it helps a lot to know some basics of lighting techniques. So let’s show you the most elementary tricks you can implement. This way, you will be able to learn well how to photograph clothes with almost professional results without resorting to expensive lighting equipment.
The first thing you need to think about is where and at what time of day to do clothing photography. Get a large window with plenty of light and take advantage of daylight. This will allow you to diffuse the sunlight and get even lighting.
Now, you may be wondering: what if I have to photograph clothing at night? Since you want to learn how to shoot clothing at any time of day, consider getting an auxiliary light, such as the Bolt vb-11 bare bulb Flash pictured below.
Image: amazon.com
Since you’re learning how to photograph clothing because you want to get the best results possible, supplement the use of the auxiliary light with a white curtain. Place it about three feet away from the work light. This will help you diffuse the light beam.
4. Set up the type of composition for your clothing photos
Okay. Now that you have your camera (or your smartphone), background and lights, it’s time to photograph clothing for your online store. First of all, it’s important for you to know that there are different ways on how to photograph clothing.
This is super important when you are learning how to photograph clothes to sell because it will depend on what you want to project and what kind of clothes you want to sell. Being practical, we can say that the most common ways to know how to photograph clothes are:
flat Lay,
with mannequin,
and with “ghost” or invisible mannequin
Let’s go over each of the methods to help you know how to photograph clothes. Then, you can choose the one that works best for you.
Image: Pixabay
Flat Lay
The first method to know how to photograph clothes (without a mannequin or model) is to use a flat background (Flat Lay). As the term suggests, this technique consists of placing the clothes horizontally on a surface, such as a table or the floor. You can take photos of the clothes folded or open, or both, so you can better choose the ones you like best.
When you are learning how to photograph clothes it is a good idea to include props to make the photo look authentic. Once you have everything ready, position your camera 90 degrees facing down and take the photo when you are ready.
With a mannequin
The next method for how to photograph clothes is to help yourself with a mannequin. Of course, keep in mind to choose one that fits well with your dress. To show the clothes you are photographing, place the camera at the mannequin’s eye level.
One of the keys to doing clothing catalog photography with a mannequin is to try different angles. This will allow you to show all the details of the garments. Our recommendation is to take photos from the front, side and back.
With a “ghost” or invisible mannequin
do you remember the movie “The Invisible Man”? Well, the result of this method to take pictures for a clothing catalog is similar to that of the science fiction film.
According to the PhotoRobot portal, “the ghost mannequin effect essentially allows you to combine photographs of a product into a model or mannequin and then make the mannequin invisible through post-product processing.”
Ghost mannequin, or invisible mannequin photography, is a technique used by many brands to showcase clothing items such as jeans, jackets and shirts. This helps customers imagine what they would look like wearing the garments more easily.
To learn how to photograph clothes with this method, you must position the camera shot at eye level.
Image: clippingpathnyc.com
5. Retouch your images after photographing clothes
When you’re learning how to photograph clothes, you may want to avoid wrinkles and stains in your photos at all costs. On that note, the bad news is that no matter how much you iron it, you won’t be able to make all the wrinkles disappear.
” Basic retouching in fashion refers to the (models’) skins, the clothes, to see if they have wrinkles, if they’re okay, if there’s anything broken. And finally, shaping the image. In the skins, for example, if the models have pimples, if they have any scars, if they have any stains from something specific that could not be removed with makeup, we would have to try to fix it; and the hair, because many times with the movements and everything they (the models) are not well combed, and the clothes because obviously they wrinkle. As there is a lot of movement, in general, the light falls on them in a different way and then they wrinkle and look ugly, and in the end in fashion we are there to sell a product, which is clothing”.
Once you learn how to photograph clothes for sale
you select the area,
click on the stain
and Photoshop automatically removes it for you.
Image: fashionmingle.com
With these tips to learn how to photograph clothes you will have the opportunity to improve your images without mistakes. The idea is that your customers believe in your company and your products. And what better way to project the quality of your products if you know how to take professional photos of clothing. how did you like our tips?
you’re on the next step of developing your skills on how to photograph clothes. That’s all for now. Keep browsing our blog. see you soon!