If you’ve been selling on Etsy for any length of time, or have even been thinking about selling on Etsy (get your first 40 listings FREE right here), you likely know that having stellar product photography is going to set you apart from the crowd and will likely lead to more sales. But maybe you’re just not sure how to improve your pwn product photos. Well, while these 15 Etsy sellers’ product photos will make you jealous, I’m really sharing them so you can learn from them.
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- Create + Captivate: 30 days of engaging Instagram photo prompts for Etsy sellers, makers and artists
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That certainly doesn’t mean steal their ideas! It means that by looking at other amazing and powerful photos, you can learn what you like, what you don’t like, what will fit your brand, and then you can use all of that information to create your own gorgeous product photos that will turn browsers into buyers. Sound good? Let’s check them out!
Tell a Story
On its own, this leather backpack from Benny Bee Leather is gorgeous. But worn by a woman holding a dog on a foggy day in front of a giant windmill? Now that’s a product photo that’s telling a story. Think about how you can tell a story in your own product photography. (Bonus points for including cute animals in a way that fits!)
Keep it Simple
While Golden Biscotti could have filled their vase full of over-sized blooms, they showed restraint and kept it simple with this one tiny stem of flowers. By doing so, they’ve punctuated the clean, modern design of their elegant porcelain vase.
Add Text
Not only did Fleur and Dot take the most adorable product photo, they added text on top that a). explains in more detail exactly what their customer is buying, and b). works perfectly with the photo itself. Sometimes text over a photo can look terribly tacky, so you may need the help of a graphic designer if you’re unsure about your own text on top of your photo.
Create a Vibe
Whether they use models or not, The Bee and The Fox definitely create a specific vibe with their photos, like in this shot of their “Be Kind to Humankind” t-shirt.
Get Dramatic
I love the way Loop Handmade Jewelry has such dramatic photos of their jewelry, like this totem necklace. Not only do their photos stand out in a sea of jewelry photographed on bright white backgrounds, but it somehow makes the jewelry itself seem more luxurious and expensive.
Amy Hamley Ceramics also does a beautiful job at photographing their modern, minimalist white ceramic vase in a lux, dramatic fashion:
Show, Don’t (Just) Tell
By photographing this woodland serving bowl from Claylicious in someone’s hands, shoppers can better visualize the size of it compared to a photo of it on a plain background. Of course, you’ll also want to include the dimensions in your product description, but this visual goes a long way. I’ve seen some sellers use things like a quarter or a ruler to show potential buyers the size of their products, but that doesn’t have the kind of sophistication that this photo from Claylicious does.
Yield Design Co. also does a lovely job of this with their double-wall glasses:
Show Me What to Expect
Reform Fibers sells DIY macrame patterns and kits, but their photos show what your project will look like when it’s complete in a trendy, aspirational space.
Make Some Magic
Yes, you could photograph a ring on a finger, on a simple white background, or in a ring box… But why not make some magic, like Philo K Studio has done in this photo of their ENLUMINURE bronze ring? Again, I’m not suggesting you copy their idea (that would not be cool!) But think about how you could add some magic to your own product photography.
In Use
I love the products and the photography from Tellkiddo. With these toy paper storage bags, they show you exactly how you might use them in your own home.
I also appreciate this photo from rabbitanddragon1 who shows their hand-blown glass vases side-by-side, one in use and one not for contrast:
Tell The Full Story
This image of their wall mounted bike rack and shelf from Quartertwenty wouldn’t tell the full story without the addition of the bike. Without it, you might think you’re just buying a shelf. (The photos in their shop are taken by John Valls.)
No Excuses
If you’re products are large, that’s no excuse not to find a way to stage them in a photograph, like OURHOOD has done here with their reclaimed wood desk.
Same with HouseOfBalticLinen, who could have simply photographed their French vintage inspired navy ticking linen bedding folded in stacks, but by staging it in a way that they will actually be used, they help potential buyers imagine using the duvet in their own homes.
I just want to remind you that while these 15 Etsy sellers’ product photos will make you jealous, it’s not okay to out-right steal their ideas… But you can certainly be inspired by them! I know I am.
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