Photographing your craft | Change perspectives to take great shots

We've discussed natural lighting, changing backgrounds and adding props to your photos to improve the shots of your handmade craft item. Sometimes though a well-lit shot and great set up just aren't enough, sometimes you need to add a little extra.

It's all in the details!

When selling on the web, whether it be your online shop, on Etsy or Ebay, try to include as many shots of your handmade product as you can. Buyers like to see as much of the item as they can. You may think that your product is extra soft and cuddly, well try and convey this message to the buyer. You may have sublime stitching...well show the buyer this. Do a close-up shot of your stitching. Maybe there is a really cute applique design, take a photo and show the buyer. Hosting sites such as Etsy and Ebay give you lots of options to upload plenty of photos.

Consider what makes your item special. What makes it better than anyone elses? Is there a cute little pocket? Are you excellent at sewing in zippers or sewing button holes? Is the fabric you've chosen really special? Is there a particularly difficult embroidery stitch you want to show off? A delightful button? Take photos of what makes yours better than anything else that is available and include them in your product page. Highlight what makes your item special.

Close-ups are great, but another way of adding interest to your shots is to change the perspective or the angle of your shot. There are 3 main different points of perspective; eye-level, overhead and vertical/horizontal.

You can frame your photo either vertically or horizontally. Experiment taking your photos different in different positions. Set up your photo, take a shot vertically, then change positions and take it horizontally. See which position shows off your product best.

Another easy way to add interest to your composition is moving around your subject and taking photos from different viewpoints. Walk around it, move the table around- keep it fresh and provide your buyer with a new way of seeing your product.

When selling items such as quilts and other large items, it's useful to try and take a shot of the full image. Quilts are particularly difficult to get a full-shot of. Try shooting from overhead (or High View Point)- straight down onto your subject. Lay your quilt out on the floor and stand on a stool, table or step-ladder and shoot your photo from overhead. Take particular note of anything special- a pretty design, great applique- anything that you want your buyer to see. Shooting from overhead is a great angle if you want to show a lot of things at once.

It's also a great way to fit in your product and props all into one frame and it takes away different height variations in your setting.

We've already discussed taking close-up shots of your fabulous craft item- let's now look at eye level. Taking photos at eye-level allows your customer to connect to your product: it's like making eye-contact with them.

Eye-level works great when you are trying to take a shot of a tall item and is great perspective to showcase the height of something. It allows you to position yourself close to your product and get a close-up shot. Try and remember the story you are trying to sell. What are you wanting to say in your image?

One more thing to mention is  distance. You may get a perspective that you are happy with- experiment with distance. Changing the distance will also change your shot. Take your shot and then take a few steps back and take it again. Experiment with what works best.

Remember, experiment, experiment, experiment. You can decide later when you are processing your shots which ones worked the best.

If you'd like more tips for taking great photography shots of your craft you can read more here.

Comments

[Sue W]

This is such an interesting topic and the advise you give is great. I do have a question though if that's OK.
How do you arrange the groups of three pictures, one large and two small. Are you using a site like Picmonkey or is this something you do in Photoshop.
I'm sure I'm not alone in hoping you'll share how to do this. Thank you.

[Christine B.]

Thank you Bronwyn for taking the time to present all this wonderful information. I have really enjoyed reading this post and it is very helpful. It also reminded me that I want to stitch that cute little Easter bunny while I still have time before Easter! I downloaded your lovely free pattern last year but then didn't have the time to embroider it. Not going to make the same mistake again!! Thank you! :)

[Bronwyn]

Thanks for your question sue. The photo layouts are done in Photoshop. I have done my own photo layout templates for the blog. Just makes things a little easier and quicker....